Oz in the News 9.30.10

Autumn at Oz For local couple Andy and Kay Harkins, Autumn at Oz is more than a tourist attraction. It’s about remembering a journey. Andy Harkins, now an insurance agent, was a Tin Man at the theme park and, like the character he played, really did find his heart in Oz. “It was back in the ’70s,” he said. “In 1971, I was a Tin Man there, and in 1976 [Kay] was a Dorothy there… we laughingly say it was a marriage made in MGM… I was just smitten .”

Wizard of Oz National Tour Announces New Dates for 2010-2011 Tour stops will include St. Louis (November 26-28), Salt Lake City (December 3-4), Hartford (January 18-23), Atlanta (February 3-6), San Diego (February 15-20), and more. The tour will wrap up in Brampton, Ontario, April 1-2, 2011.

Carrie Sutton to appear in The Wizard of Oz West End performer Carrie Sutton has revealed she is about to take on a role in new West End play The Wizard of Oz. The former Sister Act and Cats star told the Scunthorpe Telegraph she is excited about her new venture, although she did not disclose which part she would be playing. “The Wizard of Oz is going to be a great show. I’m looking forward to working with Andrew Lloyd Webber for the first time,” she commented.

Oz in the News 9.29.10

Smith Center supporters get little taste of ‘Wicked’ “What we’re doing with a preview show here is pretty rare,” said Ashford, who performed in “Wicked” on Broadway and in the Chicago company. “It’s rare to have the producer of an enormous show like this in a city two years before.”

Oztoberfest begins in Wamego this weekend There will be special guests at this year’s three-day festival celebrating the Wizard of Oz including 3 of the original munchkins. They’ll be signing autographs and making cameo appearances in the Wizard of Oz plays. Two of the author L. Frank Baum’s grandsons will also be there.

Oz in the News 9.28.10

Dorothy Returns w/ New Friends For All-Ages OZMA OF OZ Shanower and Young got up with Newsarama to talk about their new adaptation, their love of Oz, and the Ozma of Oz from Marvel that you didn’t see.  And there’s some exclusive pages from the upcoming adaptation to boot! 

Oz in the News 9.27.10

Hannah Waddingham is Wizard of Oz’s Wicked Witch of the West As well as Danielle Hope playing Dorothy and Michael Crawford playing the Wizard, as previously tipped Hannah Waddingham is to play the Wicked Witch of the West.

Oz in the News 9.26.10

‘Somewhere over the rainbow’ is Jane Albright’s house Q: On Mondays, are you the Wicked Witch or Glinda? Jane: Wicked Witch of the West … until I have coffee. It takes a cup or two to ensure I won’t vanish in the shower.

Oz in the News 9.25.10

Oz inspiring Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore. No, Dorothy — you’re not. You’re on the Upper West Side, where “The Wizard of Oz Children’s Education Exhibition” — the first traveling show based on the 1939 movie — opens today.

Historical society releasing Baum children’s book L. Frank Baum’s “The Enchanted Buffalo” is the fifth book in the Prairie Tale Series from the South Dakota State Historical Society Press. Donald F. Montileaux (MON’-tih-loh), an Oglala Lakota Sioux artist from Rapid City, illustrated the fairy tale.

Why is Andrew Lloyd Webber setting out on the Yellow Brick Road? It’s hard to disagree that the original has imperfections. It burbles and meanders, and for half an hour it stops being a musical entirely. What carries it is the audience’s faith in Dorothy.

Oz in the News 9.24.10

Michael Crawford Returns to Stage as Wizard Michael Crawford will play the Wizard in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production of The Wizard of Oz, co-starring opposite Over the Rainbow winner Danielle Hope. The production opens at the West End’s London Palladium on 1 March 2011 (previews from 7 February).

Oz in the News 9.23.10

Oz Festival looks to next year with new film in production Blount said the 30th edition of the festival next year will get a boost from Hollywood. “We’re hoping to promote the movie ‘Dorothy in Oz,’ now in production and slated for release in 2012.

Oz in the News 9.21.10

Trailer: The Witches Of Oz 3D From Your Secret Favourite Director  Leigh Scott has been a power player at Asylum, kingdom of the bottom-shelf mockbusters, & has played a major part in fostering their reputation for cheap and cheerful rip-offs. Credit to him, though, for writing, directing, shooting and editing his films.

Baum’s Bazaar I have come here to record Baum’s Bazaar for the University of South Dakota so they can construct a virtual replica of it. This store has a historic significance, or more accurately, it’s owner will.

Oz in the News 9.20.10

Sneak Peek: Phineas and Ferb in ‘Wizard of Odd’ In the all-new episode, Phineas and Ferb build a contraption that spins their house around in an effort to paint it quickly, causing Candace to become so dizzy, she collapses. She soon finds herself in the magical land of Odd.

Exciting new plants you’ll want to grow ‘Ruby Slippers’ and ‘Munchkin’ are the latest cultivars released by ARS geneticist Sandy Reed with the U.S. National Arboretum’s Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit’s worksite in McMinnville, Tenn.