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News Releases 
"I don't think we're in Kansas anymore." -Dorothy, from The Wizard of Oz 
For Immediate Release: November 5, 2002
Minneapolis, MN - The Children's Theatre Company will celebrate the holidays in grand fashion by staging the renowned and beloved American classic The Wizard of Oz, based on the timeless 1939 film. Originally produced in 1987 by the Royal Shakespeare Company, the script is based on the book by L. Frank Baum, with music and lyrics of the MGM motion picture score by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg, background music by Herbert Stothart and book adaptation by John Kane from the motion picture screenplay. The production is directed and choreographed by Matthew Howe, with scenic design by Scott Bradley, costume design by Helen Huang, lighting design by Beverly Emmons, sound design by Chris Heagle and music direction by Victor Zupanc.
When a tornado transports young Dorothy from the fields of Kansas to the land of Oz, it is a Lion, Tinman and Scarecrow who help her try and get back home. That pursuit is filled with a really Wicked Witch and nasty monkeys, as well as the quartet's own insecurities. Ultimately, Dorothy's companions discover that confidence and happiness are within themselves. And, Dorothy's steadfast belief in family and home, along with some red slippers and a few familiar words, assure her return.
"We are so excited to bring this timeless and timely American classic to CTC for the first time," says CTC artistic director Peter C. Brosius. "We're living in a particularly intense world, full of beauty and horror, and surprises around every corner. The Wizard of Oz reinforces the idea of the power of the journey to stretch ourselves, test ourselves and remind us of that which we hold dear."
In addition to a stellar cast, this production includes the work of two Cairn terriers, Cullen and Buck, who will alternate in the roll of Dorothy's beloved dog, Toto. After much research, director Matthew Howe chose Wildlife Images in Stacey, Minnesota to scout, train and care for the special cast members. Cullen is a six-year old straight from the show circuit, and Buck is a ten-year old with impeccable instincts for the stage. Wildlife Images, owned by Kay Huber, is a Twin Cities-based company that provides, along with trainers, animals of all kinds for stage, television, film and events world-wide. Josh Weinstein and Heather Evenson are the trainers for Cullen and Buck during the rehearsal process. Heather will accompany and train the Totos through the entire run of the production, ensuring their safety and well-being.
For director Matthew Howe and the cast of 34, the rehearsal process has allowed them to rediscover and affirm all the reasons that this story is so beloved. According to Howe, who is also CTC's Theatre Arts Training coordinator, "This is a story of enormous spectacle and enormous heart. We hope that the audience will respond to both with a newfound sense of wonder and appreciation."
L. Frank Baum published and wrote for Chittenago, New York's local newspaper, before turning his attention to authoring books in the 1880's. He published his first collection of fairy tales, Mother Goose in 1897, which was followed by Father Goose in 1899. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was first published in 1900, and was followed by a series of Oz stories. He died in 1919 at age 62 in Hollywood, California. During the past 17 years, director and choreographer Matthew Howe has held positions as director, theatre educator, musical director, performer, designer, choreographer, and theater administrator in Canada, the United States and abroad. He is currently the Theatre Arts Training Coordinator at CTC. In addition to numerous regional credits, Howe?s CTC directing/production credits include Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Pippi Longstocking, Lyle the Crocodile, Afternoon of the Elves, Cinderella, Don Quixote, and various studio/education production projects.
Scenic designer Scott Bradley has designed at numerous regional theaters, including The Goodman, where he received the 1996 Drama Desk Award and a Tony® Nomination for his work on Seven Guitars. He has also done design work for Latenight with David Letterman and the Ang Lee film Pushing Hands. Award winning costume designer Helen Huang studied theater design at the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing, China before receiving her Masters degree in costume design from the University of Missouri. Lighting designer Beverly Emmons received a Tony® for her work on Amadeus in 1980 as well as an OBIE and two BESSIEs for her many productions on and Off-Broadway. CTC?s resident sound supervisor Chris Heagle has created the soundscapes for productions at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, Interlochen Center for the Performing Arts, Times Theatre Company, and Illinois Repertory Theatre. Victor Zupanc has been the Resident Music Director at CTC since 1989. His composing credits for CTC include A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings, Alice in Wonderland, Dragonwings, Pippi Longstocking, Whale, and Afternoon of the Elves. He has composed music for more than 170 plays at theaters all over the world. He has received two Hollywood Dramalogue Awards for Best Score, two Theater Critics Circle Awards, and two McKnight Composer Fellowships.
The Wizard of Oz is performed by six guest artists, five CTC resident company members, four CTC performing apprentices, 22 student actors, and two Cairn terriers. The role of Dorothy Gale, marks Britta Ollmann's seventh production on the CTC mainstage. Ollmann received glowing reviews for her performances as Gerda in The Snow Queen, Pippi in Pippi Longstocking, Lilly in Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, and Suzy in Mr. A's Amazing Maze Plays. As part of CTC's Theatre Arts Training Program, she has also been in Studio Theatre productions of Chicago and A Chorus Line. She is a senior in high school which means this production will be her last as a student actor.
The role of Zeke/Cowardly Lion will be split between CTC company member Reed Sigmund and guest artist Leif Jurgensen. Sigmund, who will play the role from the opening until December 23rd, was a Performing Apprentice at CTC in the 2000-2001 season and his CTC credits include A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings, Alice in Wonderland, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Mississippi Panorama. Jurgensen, an Artistic Associate with 15 Head Theatre Lab, will play the role from December 26th through the end of the run. In addition to 15 Head Theatre Lab productions, he has been in numerous CTC productions including Strega Nona, Cinderella, Dr. Seuss' The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins, and Our Town.
Bradley Greenwald will play the role of Hickory/Tin Man. Greenwald was last seen on CTC's stage as The Crow in the world premiere of The Snow Queen. He has been in productions at Theatre de la Jeune Lune, the Jungle Theater, Minnesota Dance Theatre, North Star Opera, Nautilus Music Theater and the Minnesota Opera, as well as CTC. Greenwald is a past recipient of the Minnesota State Arts Board Music Fellowship and the McKnight Fellowship for Theater Artists.
The role of Hunk/Scarecrow will be split between CTC company member Dean Holt and guest artist Jonathan Rayson. From the opening until December 23rd, Hunk/Scarecrow will be played by Dean Holt, a skilled and nimble resident company member who has appeared in numerous CTC productions including A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings, Alice in Wonderland, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Pippi Longstocking, and Mississippi Panorama. Beginning on December 26th, Holt will be replaced by Jonathan Rayson, who has been in productions at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, North Star Opera, Park Square Theatre, and Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, among others. He also understudied the male roles in CTC's fall production of A Year with Frog and Toad.
Miss Almira Gultch and The Wicked Witch of the West will be playedy by Benjamin-Hill. Since becoming a Company Member at CTC, Benjamin-Hill has been in numerous productions including last season's world premiere of The Snow Queen, the CTC classic Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Dr. Seuss' The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins, which traveled to Japan in 1998. Professor Marvel and The Wizard will be played by John Paul Gamoke, who also traveled to Japan with Dr. Seuss' The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins. He has been in other productions at CTC and at the Guthrie Theater, the Great American History Theater, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, and films including Mighty Ducks and Untamed Heart.
Auntie Em is played by CTC company member Marvette Knight who has performed in several CTC productions and choreographed Two African Tales and Lady Hummingbird and Amazing Grace. She has also been on stage at Penumbra Theatre, the Guthrie Theatre, and Mixed Blood Theater. Glenda is played by Kirsten Sevig who was a Performing Apprentice last season and a student of CTC's Theatre Arts Training program. She has been in several CTC productions including The Snow Queen and Not Without Laughter and the studio theatre production of Eurydice. Veteran performer Wayne Morton plays Uncle Henry and the Emarald City Guard. Morton has over 33 years of experience in Television in the Los Angeles area as well as a long list of theater productions both local, regional and national.
The Wizard of Oz previews November 19-21, opens November 22, and runs through January 11, 2003. Ticket prices are $14-25 for children, seniors, and students, and $19-31 for adults. For more information, call the CTC Ticket Office at 612-874-0400 or visit www.childrenstheatre.org. The Children's Theatre Company is located at 2400 Third Avenue South in Minneapolis.
Photos are now available at www.ctcpix.org.
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