Press Releases

EVENT INFORMATION
What:
The Wizard of Oz

Date:
Friday, August 2 • 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 3 • 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 4 • 3 p.m.
Thursday, August 8 • 2 p.m.
Friday, August 9 • 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 10 • 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 11 • 3 p.m.

Location:
Algonquin Arts Theatre
173 Main Street, Manasquan, N.J.

Tickets:
Adults: $33 / 28
Seniors: $31 / 26
Students: $23 / 18
Group rates available for 10 or more. Individual tickets subject to $2 per ticket processing fee.

Information:
Call 732-528-9211 or visit algonquinarts.org

MANASQUAN, N.J. (July 29, 2013) - Algonquin Arts Theatre becomes a Merry Old Land for this summer's extravaganza, "The Wizard of Oz," taking the stage for seven performances from August 2 to August 11.

Evening performances will be on Friday, August 2, Saturday, August 3 and Friday, August 9 at 7:30 p.m. Matinees will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, August 8, 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 10 and on Sundays, August 4 and 11 at 3 p.m.

"The Wizard of Oz" is sponsored by Dr. John Little and Dr. Mary Russo Family Dentistry.

Wall resident Emily Latshaw makes her Algonquin debut as Dorothy Gale. The cast includes Terrance Berry as Hickory/Tinman, Roman Sohor as Zeke/Cowardly Lion, Frank Falisi as Hunk/Scarecrow and Janna Sedutto as Ms. Gultch/Wicked Witch of the West. Eric McDonough (The 1940s Radio Hour, Oliver!) returns as Professor Marvel/The Wizard of Oz and Algonquin Arts Theatre Education Director Julie Nagy (The Music Man) features as Glinda, Good Witch of the North.

Tickets are available starting at $28 for adults, $26 for seniors and $18 for students online at algonquinarts.org, by calling (732) 528-9211 or at the Algonquin Box Office at 173 Main Street between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Individual tickets are subject to a $2 per ticket processing fee. Availability for some performances is already limited.

Featuring a cast of more than 50, which includes the Algonquin Youth Ensemble as Munckins and much more, the Algonquin presents the Royal Shakespeare Company version of "The Wizard of Oz" with book adaptations by John Kane follows the famous motion picture even more closely than the original 1942 stage adaptation.

Cynthia Mitchell Payne (The Magical Christmas Horse) returns to direct, with musical direction by Stephen Strouse, choreography by Sheryl Linfante and production management by Lauren Piskiel.

Based on L. Frank Baum's famous story in which Dorothy Gale, a young girl who lives on a farm in Kansas with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, gets in the way while the adults try to work. She finds a quiet place where she won't get into any trouble; somewhere over the rainbow. The girl is upset because their mean neighbor, Miss Gultch, presents her with a sheriff's summons for her cherished dog, Toto. Toto escapes from Miss Gultch's bicycle basket and joins Dorothy as she runs away from the farm.

They meet up with kind Professor Marvel, who convinces her to go back home. A cyclone hits the area, and Dorothy and Toto are locked out of the family's storm cellar. They go into her room in the house, where Dorothy is accidently hit on the head. This begins their journey to the Land of Oz.

About Algonquin Arts Theatre:
Algonquin Arts Theatre (AAT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1992 with the mission to provide cultural enhancement and arts education to all audiences at the Jersey Shore through high-quality performances and programs in theatre, music, film and dance. The end goal is to foster appreciation of the arts and promote lifelong learning, particularly among underserved audiences including the economically disadvantaged, senior citizens and individuals with disabilities.

Algonquin Arts Theatre's programs are made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; by funds from the Paul F. Zito, M.D. Educational Foundation, by Simon Kaufman, Esq. & Maria Zito-Kaufman, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and remembering Marialana and her love for children and the arts.