Oz reimagines the writing of the famous children's story, at the Waterfront Theatre March 1 to 26
Carousel Theatre for Young People’s production innovatively reimagines author L. Frank Baum working through writer’s block
Megan Zong and Stephen Thakkar in Oz. Photo by Sarah Race
Carousel Theatre for Young People, In partnership with Victoria’s Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People, presents Oz at the Waterfront Theatre from March 1 to 26
YOU COULD SAY it’s the story of the man behind the curtain.
Carousel Theatre for Young People is getting ready to stage Patrick Shanahan's Oz, a whimsical play that imagines how L. Frank Baum came to pen his bestselling children’s book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in 1899 Chicago—decades before the beloved Judy Garland movie came out.
In the script, Baum is struggling with writer’s block as he works to complete the manuscript while his housekeeper, Bridgey, and a playful young runaway named Dot (a Dorothy stand-in) get swept up in the frenetic creation of his tale—turning the writer’s office upside-down in the process. They’re transported to a magical land where the author’s footstool becomes Toto and a birdcage, an overcoat, and a fire grate become the Scarecrow, the Tinman and the Cowardly Lion. There are appearances by Toto and the Wicked Witch of the West too—just not entirely how you’re used to seeing them.
Aimed at Wizard of Oz fans of all ages, Oz premiered in Kansas City in 1994, and has played across the U.S. and at London-based children’s theatre, Unicorn Theatre. The production here is directed by Jennica Grienke, starring Stephen Thakkar as L. Frank Baum, Melanie Yeats as Bridgey, and Megan Zong as Dot.
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