The Wizard of Oz Set to Open Thursday at Mac Gray Auditorium

 This timeless tale, in which young Dorothy Gale travels from Kansas over the rainbow to the magical Land of Oz, features the iconic musical score from the MGM film and is a faithful adaptation of the MGM classic. A technically complex production, it recreates the dialogue and structure of the film nearly scene for scene, adapted for live stage performance.

Directed by Jennifer D. Grant, with music director Marcia Wooten, the show features a stellar cast of adults and children from Statesville and surrounding areas, with Echo Myers playing Dorothy (Piper Collins as Dorothy’s understudy), Jackie Grant as Glinda, and Kim Stroud as the Wicked Witch of the West. “As a first-time director tackling The Wizard of Oz, I quickly realized that the true magic of the show lies not only in its whimsical world but in the heart of its message — discovering the courage, heart, and wisdom within ourselves,” said Grant. “With an incredibly talented cast and crew, we have worked together to bring that message to life on stage, crafting a journey that is as much about the people behind the scenes as it is about the characters they portray. I am excited to finally give this to the audience to enjoy and let them experience the magic of Oz we’ve created over the past three months.”

Shows are at 7:30pm on March 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29, and at 3:00 pm on March 23 and 30. Tickets are $20 and are available in advance online or at the door. Anyone who purchases a CenterStageAlliance.org 109 E. Broad Street, Statesville, NC 28677 ticket at full price can return to see the show for $5/show after the first performance they attend, with proof of previous purchase and ID. To purchase tickets in advance online, visit www.centerstagealliance.org. All admission is general seating.