Follow the yellow brick road to the Land of Oz with The Carnegie’s production of THE WIZARD OF OZ, running weekends January 21-31, 2016.
Based on the hit MGM film, THE WIZARD OF OZ will delight audiences of all ages with classic songs and characters. The Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of J.R. Cassidy, will provide soaring accompaniment for such iconic songs as “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and “We’re Off to See the Wizard.”
“THE WIZARD OF OZ is a beloved show that has entertained families for generations,” said Carnegie Theatre Director Maggie Perrino. “This will be one of the most unique productions The Carnegie has ever brought to life. We’re particularly excited, as it is also the first time the gallery, education, and theatre departments have come together on a project. The result is a show that is visually stunning and fun for the whole family. We can’t wait to share it with our patrons.”
The set, designed by local artist Pam Kravetz, will be a unique take on the traditional landscape of Oz. While the audience will recognize iconic locales such as Munchkin Land and The Emerald City, the overall feel of the stage and set will have a more playful and contemporary feel.
Joining the cast, and representing The Carnegie’s education department, are four students from The Carnegie’s Camp Carnegie summer acting program – Maya Hunt, Mark Schutzman, Jackson Schabell, and Ben Dropic. While the young actors have performed on the Otto M. Budig stage before, THE WIZARD OF OZ will mark their professional acting debuts.
Performances of THE WIZARD OF OZ run weekends January 21-31, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Saturday afternoons at 2 p.m., and Sunday afternoons at 3pm. Adding to the WIZARD OF OZ experience, The Carnegie is hosting a costume contest, encouraging patrons of all ages to dress as their favorite character, at all Saturday and Sunday matinees.
Tickets for THE WIZARD OF OZ are $30. Theatre goers interested in member, student, and group discounts, and information about family ticket packages should call The Carnegie Box Office at (859) 957-1940. Tickets to Carnegie Theater Series performances are available at The Carnegie Box Office, open Tuesday through Friday 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., online at www.thecarnegie.com, or by phone at (859) 957-1940.
The 2015-16 Carnegie Theatre Series is sponsored by the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation. The 2015-16 Season Program is sponsored by Paula & Glenn Wienkoop.
Show sponsors for THE WIZARD OF OZ include: Presented by Molly & Michael Prues | Music Presented by Alice Sparks Set Sponsored by Graydon Head | Characters in THE WIZARD OF OZ are sponsored by Chick-fil-A Houston Road & Chick-fil-A Newport Pavilion and Sally & Sandy Thomson.
THE WIZARD OF OZ is produced by arrangement with TAMS-WITMARK MUSIC LIBRARY, INC., 560 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022.
The Carnegie receives ongoing operating support from ArtsWave, Cincinnati Wine Festival, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Kenton County Fiscal Courts, the Kentucky Arts Council and the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. / US Bank Foundation.
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Cast
Dorothy Gale: Caroline Chisholm
Scarecrow: Jack Manion
Tinman: Tyler Kuhlman
Cowardly Lion: Sean Mette
Aunt Em/Glinda: Sarah Viola
Almira Gulch/The Wicked Witch of the West: Lesley Hitch
Uncle Henry/Gatekeeper of Oz: Will Reed
Professor Marvel/The Wizard of OZ: Jeff Richardson
Adult Ensemble: Jennifer Barnaba, Derek Harper, Cody Roberts, Megan Urz
Youth Ensemble: Olivia Bayer, Ben Dropic, Maya Hunt, Charlie Klesa, Sara Moore, Jackson Schabell, Mark Schutzman, Audrey Stith
Production Team
Director: Matthew Wilson
Music Director: J. R. Cassidy, Kentucky Symphony Orchestra Conductor
Vocal Director: Steve Hinnenkamp
Choreographer: Maggie Perrino
Select Bios
Matthew Wilson – Director
Matthew Wilson is a known actor and director throughout Cincinnati. Some of his directing highlights include RENT, A CHORUS LINE, 1776, INTO THE WOODS, 42nd STREET, LEGALLY BLONDE, OKLAHOMA, and BYE BYE BIRDIE. Choreography credits include HELLO DOLLY, LEGALLY BLONDE, and EVITA. Wilson’s acting highlights include Renfield in DRACULA, Eugene in BROADWAY BOUND, Snoopy in both SNOOPY THE MUSICAL and YOU’RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN, among many others.
J.R. Cassidy – Music Director
Kentucky Symphony Orchestra (KSO) Music Director James Cassidy founded the KSO in 1992 to make symphonic music attractive, accessible and affordable. Filling Northern Kentucky with engaging music and opportunities for families, students and musicians from around the region to experience and create a new blend of culture and entertainment has been Cassidy’s raison d’etre. Collaboration has been key to the KSO 24 seasons including numerous appearances and joint productions with the Carnegie including OLIVER, THE SOUND OF MUSIC and Two Cities / Two Bands — the music of Blood Sweat & Tears and Chicago. KSO subsidiary groups— The Flood Wall Jazz Quintet and The Newport Ragtime Band have also appeared in concert at the Carnegie.
Sarah Viola – Glinda
Sarah Viola has performed operatic and musical theater roles in America and Europe with such companies as Opera Santa Barbara, Eugene Opera, Stockton Opera, New York Lyric Opera, and Cincinnati Landmark Productions. Highlights of the her career include her Germany debut as Pamina in DIE ZAUBERFLOTE in Bavaria, as well as singing in a highly acclaimed concert version of WEST SIDE STORY with the New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall. She has played leading roles in GUYS AND DOLLS, CAROUSEL, THE KING AND I, CAMELOT, THE MUSIC MAN, and PIRATES OF PENZANCE. As a member of the New York Choral Artists and Concert Chorale of New York, she has performed regularly at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center with the New York Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, and the Royal Concertgeboux.
Caroline Chisholm – Dorothy
Caroline Chisholm is a junior musical theatre major at Wright State University. Recently, Chisholm performed as Velma Kelly at Wright State University. Other favorite credits include Fiona in SHREK, GODSPELL, ANYTHING GOES, PETER PAN, and HOT MIKADO.
Jeff Richardson – The Wizard
Jeff Richardson is making his debut as a Carnegie cast member, but he is no stranger to The Carnegie stage. His most recent memorable roles include: Uncle Fester in THE ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL & Patsy in SPAMALOT for Showbiz Players; Igor in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN & Wilbur Turnblad in HAIRSPRAY for Cincinnati Music Theater; Bishop/Babatobois in LES MISERABLES for Brieabi; and Max Bialystock in THE PRODUCERS for Footlighters, receiving high honors in all of these roles.
Sean P. Mette – The Cowardly Lion
Sean P. Mette is thrilled return to The Carnegie as the Lion in THE WIZARD OF OZ. Mette started his professional theatre career touring with Madcap Puppets and is currently their Bookings and Communications Manager. Previous performances with the Carnegie include CHICAGO, SWEENEY TODD and THE UNDERPANTS. Mr. Mette also performs with the Know Theatre of Cincinnati, in the Cincinnati Fringe Festival and countless performances with OTRimprov, where he is a founding member.
Jack Manion – Scarecrow
Jack Manion is appearing on The Carnegie stage as the Scarecrow in THE WIZARD OF OZ. Other acting credits include THE STEPHEN FOSTER STOY at Stephen Foster Productions, ALL SHOOK UP at Kincaide Regional Theatre, SOLDIER’S CHRISTMAS at New Edgecliff’s Actor’s & Playwright’s Collaborative, THE LITTLE MERMAID JR. at Children’s Theatre Cincinnati and 1776 at the Warsaw Federal Incline Theatre. Jack has a BFA Musical Theater from NKU.
Pam Kravetz – Set Designer
Pam Kravetz – She’s a mural makin’, street paintin’ quilt sewin’, yarnbombin’, curatin’, flashmobin’, tutu wearin’ rootin’ tootin’ art monster. She is a regionally & nationally recognized visual artist with more than 50 art exhibits & installations.
With Pam, Contemporary Art is not a spectator sport – it is understandable, accessible, interactive and community oriented. Truly, she is inspired by the beauty in the chaos of the everyday. Her artwork ranges from street art, Artworks installations at Cincinnati’s Children’s Hospital to monumental Memory Quilts in the lobby of the Contemporary Arts center. Wherever something new, interesting, sexy & fun is happening – chances are, Pam had something to do with it.
She is the creator & face of CAC-tV and the curator of the live art performances at the Art of Food. Her alter ego, Pinky Shears is the notorious Mastermind of the Yarn-Bombing Collective – the Bombshells of Cincinnati. Who knows who will show up for her Creative Morning?
Tickets
$30 Adults
$21 Students
$27 Carnegie Members, Enjoy the Arts Members
Family packages available – Two half priced children’s tickets (up to age 17) with purchase of one adult ticket.
Performances
THE WIZARD OF OZ will include ten performances:
Thursday, January 21, 7:30pm ● Friday, January 22, 7:30pm ● Saturday, January 23, 2pm ● Saturday, January 23, 7:30pm ● Sunday, January 24, 3pm
Thursday, January 28, 7:30pm ● Friday, January 29, 7:30pm ● Saturday, January 30, 2pm ● Saturday, January 30, 7:30pm ● Sunday, January 31, 3pm