The Wizard of Oz skips to the stage with a multi-racial cast and a gorgeous jazz underscore.

With its timeless score and eternal allegories, this musical is a magical experience for young (and young-at-heart) audiences. Based on MGM’s classic motion picture, the stage version mounted here follows John Kane's adaptation for the Royal Shakespeare Company, which is based on the book by L. Frank Baum, with brilliant songs by lyricist E.Y. ("Yip") Harburg and composer Harold Arlen.

Thanks to work of dramaturg Deena R. Harburg, President of the Yip Harburg Lyrics Foundation, in association with acclaimed librettist Arthur Perlman, New York audiences have a chance to see the show sharpened to more of the original vision of E.Y. "Yip" Harburg, who was an unashamedly progressive thinker.

The cast is multi-racial and features Latino, Black and Asian actors, fulfilling Yip's vision of a multicultural universe. Dorothy, played by Taylor-Rey Rivera, is interpreted as a modern girl and future leader who is growing to realize the confidence she possesses. Her three Land-of-Oz friends – the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion – are envisioned as people of great potential who only need to actualize the heart, brains and courage they already have. All the "refocusing" is accomplished through the acting of the characters, without changing the iconic dialogue of the script.

3:00 PM Saturdays: February 15, 29; Also March 7, 21; April 4, 18; May 2, 16, 30; June 6, 20.