Above / Magical Starlight Theatre will present six performances of “The Wizard of Oz” as its 25th anniversary show, Jan. 10-12 and Jan. 17-19, 2020, at the NCHS Auditorium.
Update, Jan. 18, 2020 / Final two performances are 6:30PM Sat., Jan. 18; and 1:30PM Sun., Jan. 19. Tickets are $15 each at the door. There’s no place like home!
Original Post, Jan. 6, 2020 / Magical Starlight Theatre invites audiences young and old to be captivated by the familiar and beloved story of “The Wizard of Oz,” coming to the Naperville stage January 10-12 and 17-19, 2020.
The company of 54 talented community actors has been hard at work for the past six weeks preparing for the performances and relishing every moment.
“For several members of the cast, this is a dream role for them,” said Director Kris Visher.
For example, when Emma Lee heard that she was chosen for the role of Dorothy, she was surprised and overjoyed.
“’Over the Rainbow’ was one of the songs that taught me how to sing when I was a little girl,” said Lee, “So being given the chance to portray the character and sing that song for people is really unbelievable.”
“We are thrilled to be performing The Wizard of Oz as our 25th anniversary show,” said Visher. “The themes of the story—friendship, that there is no place like home, and that everything I need I already have—reflect the experience and values of Magical Starlight Theatre, where we have the joy of cast and crews coming home to the stage or to give back as part of our theater family.”
The production promises to bring refreshed energy to the story while staying true to the classic movie familiar to so many.
“The story comes to life in person with these actors, who are able to be ‘in the moment’ as their characters,” explained Visher. “The choreography is fun and current, and there are some technology surprises that will be very entertaining.”
Advance tickets, $13 / Tickets at the door, $15
Tickets are general admission seating for the show and may be purchased in advance for $13 until 4PM on the Friday of the performance weekend.
Performances will take place at Naperville Central High School Auditorium, located at 440 W. Aurora Ave.
Advance tickets may be purchased by phone at (630) 848-5000, or during regular business hours at the Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center at 305 W. Jackson Ave., at the 95th St. Center at 2244 W. 95th St., or at Fort Hill Activity Center, at 20 Fort Hill Dr.
Tickets may be purchased at the door for $15.
A sign language interpreter will be present at the 1:30PM performance on Sun., Jan. 12 and at the 6:30PM performance on Sat., Jan. 18.
Magical Starlight Theatre is a program of The Naperville Park District. Magical Starlight strives to include community actors and production staff of multiple generations in its productions, providing a unique opportunity for adults and young people to work together as peers and learn from one another.
Submitted and photo by Sue Omanson for Starlight Theatre and the Naperville Park District.
