In 1939 the world met and fell in love with a little lass from Kansas named Dorothy and her sweet pup Toto and the adoration has never stopped more than eight decades later. L. Frank Baum’s American fairy tale about witches, both good and bad, adventures down a mysterious yellow brick road, Munchkins and monkeys, a scarecrow who wants a brain, a tin man who craves a heart and a lion who needs courage, a Wonderful Wizard of Oz and a pair of valuable magical ruby slippers have fascinated millions. Now thanks to Pantochino Productions, you are invited to visit Dorothy and Toto and her Aunt Em for a new adventure “Dorothy’s Christmas in Oz” at the Milford Arts Center until Sunday, December 22. Just click your heels and you will be instantly transported there.
As always, this is an original creation, conceived by Bert Bernardi for delightful book and lyrics, Justin Rugg for inspiring music, Jimmy Johansmeyer for fantastic costuming, and a world of greenery in the set designed by Von Del Mar. Come meet Ella Bedenbaugh’s insistent Dorothy who is sure she doesn’t want to spend Christmas in boring Kansas, she wants to travel by any means possible to the fascinating land of Oz where her mother, Mary Mannix, had such incredible adventures long ago.
Before you can say “Glinda, Linda, Glinda” three times fast, Dorothy gets her wish and finds herself in the company of Jimmy Johansmeyer’s Scarecrow praying for a brain, Justin Rugg’s Tin Man yearning for a heart and Killian Meehan wanting to summons up some courage. Soon Valerie Solli’s Aunt Em and her daughter Dorothy, still Mary Mannix, are on her trail to protect her, before they even discover that the Wicked Witch of the West, a scary Shelley Marsh Poggio, kidnaps young Dorothy in the hopes of stealing her ruby slippers. Watch for the Wizard, Davis Burkem and the special guest Don Poggio to appear. Justin Amaro, Chad Celini, Katie Durham and Leanne Onofrio will also add to the fun.
Have no fear, however, as the good witch Glinda, a stylish Victoria Sautee, and her daughter Brennan Simonelli as well as another good witch Linda from the North Pole, Maria Berte, are all ready to protect any one in danger. Tunes like “There Ain’t No Christmas No More,” “There’s No Place Like Christmas,” “We Believe” and the Wicked Witch’s rant “My Pretty” carry the action merrily along.
For tickets ($35), go to pantochino.com. Remember this is cabaret so bring goodies to share at your table. The show is at The MAC, 40 Railroad Avenue, Milford Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Invite Dorothy to your Christmas celebration and cheer her on as she works to make her wishes come true for a big party in the land of Oz.
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