The Wizard of Oz Musical Touches Down in Hartford

The Wizard of Oz is "touching down" in Hartford as The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts brings this national treasure to the Mortensen Hall, Jan. 18-23. The Wizard of Oz is part of The Hartford Financial Services Group Broadway Series. Ticket prices begin at $17 and are currently on sale at The Bushnell Box Office, 166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, online at www.bushnell.org or by calling (860) 987-5900. Discounts for groups of 10 or more are available by calling (860) 987-5959. The show stars Kate Bristol as Dorothy, Andrew Hasberlat as the Scarecrow, Beau Hutchings as the Tin Man, Jesse Coleman as the Lion, Pat Sibley as the Wicked Witch of the West, Robert John Biedermann as the Wizard of Oz, Sarah Amades as Aunt Em/Glinda, and Ryan Wagner as Uncle Henry/Emerald City Guard. This magical production, based on the Royal Shakespeare Company's celebration of the 1939 MGM movie, is presented with breathtaking special effects that will sweep audiences away, from the moment the tornado twists its way into Kansas. Twelve children from the Hartford area will be performing the roles of "munchkins." Singing timeless classics such as "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead," the local children with help bring this beloved classic to the stage of their hometown as part of their continuing performing arts education. The children to perform the roles will be named at a later date. Director Nigel West, choreographer Leigh Constantine and set and costume designer Tim McQuillen-Wright utilize the glamour and elegance of art deco Hollywood as the visually stunning technicolor backdrop for The Wizard of Oz. Dorothy, Toto and their friends the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow are transported "Over the Rainbow" to adventures in Munchkin Land, the Haunted Forest and the Emerald City. Featuring the classic songs, as composed by Harold Arlen, "Over the Rainbow," "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead" and "If I Only Had A Brain," along with the beloved characters, The Wizard of Oz will have the entire family captivated as they travel down the yellow brick road for an unforgettable evening at the theater. For more information visit: www.wizardofozontour.com.

About The Bushnell

The Bushnell is Connecticut's premier performing arts center, hosting more than 350 events yearly, including major Broadway tours, symphony orchestras, family presentations, local arts and community events. The Bushnell is home to two theaters- the historic 2,800-seat Mortensen Hall, and the 907-seat Belding Theater, a state-of-the-art performance hall that opened in 2001. The Bushnell opened in January 1930 and is a not-for-profit organization that is proud to serve Connecticut and its citizens. For more information, call The Bushnell at (860) 987-6000, The Bushnell Box Office at (860) 987-5900 or visit the Web site bushnell.org. —Text and photos courtesy of The Bushnell