The Oz Experience
Wizard of Oz at King’s this week
The ruby slippers, Yellow Brick Road and Emerald City are all in place at the King’s, ready for the many students of this summer’s Beyond Broadway Experience to go over the rainbow with The Wizard of Oz.
This year’s Beyond Broadway production will see over 160 youngsters aged between eight and 24 on the King’s stage for five performances of the RSC’s acclaimed adaptation of the classic 1939 Judy Garland movie.
Some of the Wizard of Oz cast. Pic: Beyond Broadway Productions.
The aspiring stage stars have spent a fortnight in intensive training with professional directors, choreographers and producers to give them an insight into what it’s like to work in the performing arts industry.
And from Thursday to Saturday nights – with matinees on both Friday and Saturday – they will be ready for their public.
Drew Gowland, the company’s MD, said: “Following on from the success of our sold-out productions of Bring it On: The Musical in 2016 and Fame in 2017, we are delighted to be bringing The Wizard of Oz to Edinburgh.
“Due to demand, the cast will be performing five shows at the King’s Theatre this year and we’d like to invite everyone along to enjoy this family-friendly trip down the yellow brick road.
talent and dedication
“The Beyond Broadway Experience gives young people the chance to truly experience what it’s like to be part of a professional show and we have been blown away by the talent and dedication shown by this year’s cast during rehearsals.”
Jamie Duffy, whose review of Crazy for You was recently published on Æ as part of the Edinburgh Playhouse’s young critic scheme, will play the role of Tin Man. The 18 year-old former Leith Academy pupil has been performing with local companies such as Captivate and the A Team for several years.
Speaking of his Tin Man role, Duffy said: “I decided to audition for The Beyond Broadway Experience after being impressed by their productions of Fame and Bring it On. I was really nervous before my first audition but I ended up really enjoying it as everyone made me feel very comfortable and I had a great time.
“Rehearsing for The Wizard of Oz has been one of the best experiences of my life as we spend hours every day singing, dancing and acting. This will the biggest show I’ve ever been in and I can’t wait for opening night.
“The Wizard of Oz was one of the first movies I watched as a child and I’m really excited to share the story with so many other people.”
BBE2019 Auditions
Meanwhile, the Beyond Broadway Experience has announced that its 2019 production will be Legally Blonde the Musical. Nikki Snelson, who originated the role of exercise queen Brooke Wyndam for the original Broadway production, will be flying in from New York to mentor the participants during the rehearsal process.
The production will take place at the King’s in July 2019, with initial auditions this November at Dancebase.
Listings and links
The Wizard of Oz
King’s Theatre, 2 Leven Street EH3 9LQ. Phone booking: 0131 529 6000
Thursday 19 – Saturday 21 July 2018.
Evenings: 7.30pm; Matinees Fri: 3pm & Sat: 2.30pm.
Tickets and details: www.capitaltheatres.com/wizardofoz.
Auditions for BBE2019: Legally Blonde, The Musical
Dancebase, 14-16 Grassmarket, EH1 2JU
Sunday 18 November 2018
Register for an audition place via: http://www.beyond-broadway.com/experience/.
BBE2019: Legally Blonde, The Musical runs from 6 to 17 July 2019, with five performances at the King’s Theatre on 18,19 and 20 July 2019.
The Beyond Broadway website: www.beyond-broadway.com.
Facebook: @beyondbroadwayltd.
Twitter: @BeyondBway.
The original cast recordings of both the RSC version of the Wizard of Oz and Legally Blonde the Musical are available to buy. Click the images for details:
ENDS
I believe you have Julie Andrews confused with Judy Garland. In 1939 Dame Julie was making her premier stage appearance in Wynken, Blynken, and Nod — as a toddler.