ESU’s Department of Theatre to Present “The Wizard of Oz” This Month

Posted by: admin on April 14, 2014, No Comments

Dorothy will once again find herself “over the rainbow” as East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Theatre presents the joyful musical adaptation of the classic L. Frank Baum novel, “The Wizard of Oz,” developed by the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC).

First presented in 1987, the RSC version of the script includes the memorable songs from the beloved MGM movie musical which is marking its 75th anniversary this year. For the RSC version, John Kane expanded the original MGM script and included one musical number, “The Jitterbug,” which was cut from the final screen version.

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Curtain times are 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, and Friday, April 25; at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 26; and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 27. All performances are in the Smith-McFarland Theatre of the university’s Fine and Performing Arts Center, Normal and Marguerite streets.

“Looking Behind the Emerald City,” a brief presentation examining the historical and social context of Baum’s book, will be given Thursday, April 24, and Saturday, April 26, at 7 p.m. in the Madelon Powers Gallery of the Fine and Performing Arts Center.

In the talk, Hunter Fogel, a junior from East Stroudsburg, Pa., majoring in English and minoring in theatre, will examine some of the political allegory and racial stereotyping in the book, and also will explain the role of the dramaturge in a production. The presentation is open to the public at no cost.

General admission for the production is $12; $10 for senior citizens, faculty and staff with ID; $7 for students with ID; and $5 for youth.

Tickets may be purchased in advance online with a credit card at www.esu.edu/theatretickets. Remaining seats will be available at the box office beginning one hour before the performance.  Only cash and checks are accepted at the box office.

Margaret J. Ball, D.M.A., ESU associate professor of theatre, is directing the production and Betsy Buzzelli-Clarke, Ed.D., ESU associate professor and chair of music, is musical director. Yoshinori Tanokura, ESU assistant professor of theatre, designed the sets and costumes for the production. Guest designer Charles Reese created the lighting for the piece.

Community partners who have provided support for the production include: The Gallery at Liztech, Trackside Station, Dansbury Diner and Pocono Community Theater.

For more information about the production, please call 570-422-3483, ext. 4, or email esuarts@esu.edu.