The Wizard of Oz Coming to Berkeley for the Holidays

Dorothy, Toto, and the crew from the land of Oz will take to the stage this holiday season in an all-new production of The Wizard of Oz. Brimming with classic songs and color, this mainstage musical by Berkeley Playhouse previews on November 9 and opens November 10, at Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave., Berkeley.

When a storm hits her family farm in Kansas, Dorothy and her dog Toto are swept over the rainbow to the magical land of Oz where scarecrows talk, tin men sing, lions (barely) roar, and where one very wicked witch rules the skies. This musical journey of finding home—and yourself—is the perfect holiday treat for the whole family.

“This holiday season, we wanted to stage a musical that celebrates home and the world of one's extended family,” says Berkeley Playhouse Executive Director and Producer, Kimberly Dooley. “The Wizard of Oz fits perfectly into our history of exploring family, and we cannot wait to share this beautiful production with families throughout the Bay Area.”

The Wizard of Oz features a cast of professional Bay Area actors, with talented students playing Dorothy and the Munchkins. Among them are two Piedmont students—Shayla Lawler as Dorothy and Miranda Long as a Munchkin. (The youthful actors in these roles are double-cast and share the performance schedule.)

The production will have an extended seven-week holiday schedule, starting November 9 and running Friday through Sunday and select Thursday evenings. Tickets (ranging from $20 to $40) are available by calling (510) 845-8542 x351 or by visiting online at www.berkeleyplayhouse.org. Ticket prices are subject to change without notice.

Furthering efforts to make theater available for all audiences, the run of Berkeley Playhouse’s The Wizard of Oz includes two low-cost preview performances, November 9 at 7:00 p.m. and November 10 at 1:00 p.m., and offers two pay-what-you-can performances, Thursday, December 6 and 13 at 7:00 p.m.