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The Wizard of Oz: Musical Theatre West Presents Timeless Story Live on Stage

Title: The Wizard of Oz
Venue: Carpenter Performing Arts Center, CSULB (Long Beach, CA)
Full Price: $37.50 - $44.50   Our Price: $18.75 - $22.25
Rating: 3.6 stars

Rated 3.6 by 50 members who went.

Musical Theatre West presents The Wizard of Oz. Based on L. Frank Baum's classic children's novel, the story of young Dorothy's adventures in a magical land has been a favorite of generations. This lavish production at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center features elaborate sets and costumes from the acclaimed Madison Square Garden production.

All dates for this event have expired. (find current Theatre events)
The last event was Sunday, Jul. 27 2008 @ 2:00pm. (view all dates)

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Members Who Went Said:

4 Star Rating
Written on
Jul 14 2008

Lilian Dendrinos

Lilian Dendrinos

Great expereience!

We loved the show. Our two 12 year old rent-a-kids liked it too. This production differ a bit from the movie by adding humor which kept the play very lively. Highly recommend it for both adults and kids.

3 of 3 people found this review useful
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4 Star Rating
Written on
Jul 18 2008

Wayne Manous

Wayne Manous

Long Beach Critic

I was not satisfied with my random seat assignment (Row Q, Seat 1, on the left side of the auditorium).

When looking at the stage, set elements upstage (in the back of the stage) were not visible from the middle to the far left (Stage Right) side of the stage.

Also, set elements in the far left middle of the stage also were not entirely visible.

Just prior to intermission, I moved to the top row, about 8 seats inward and stood for the remainder of Act I. The view was better. After intermission, I moved to Row O Seat 17 and the entire set came into view and I was happy.

2 of 3 people found this review useful
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2 Star Rating
Written on
Jul 18 2008

Cocopazzo

Cocopazzo

Avid Theatre Goer

The production is very good but I was bothered by the almost slavish adaptation of the movie to stage. Rather than exploring theatrical ideas, the script of this production tries very hard to make the theatrical experience a cinematic one- thereby implying that theatre is an inferior medium to cinema. If you have children, they will love it. Adults will probably find it a bit slow-going in parts.

2 of 3 people found this review useful
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More Details About This Event:

A girl.  A twister.  A pair of ruby slippers.  Before there was Wicked there was a timeless tale of a Kansas farm girl trying to find her way home.  There is no place like the Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach, which will be transformed by Musical Theatre West into the mystical Land of Oz. With a click of your heels and a sprinkle of musical theater magic you'll be swept away on a bewitching adventure down the Yellow Brick Road.

Musical Theatre West will present The Wizard of Oz live onstage, and will feature the elaborate sets and costumes from the Madison Square Garden production.

Deidre Haren will star as Dorothy Gale, the Kansas farm girl who is carried away to the land of Oz and follows the Yellow Brick Road to find her way home.  Also starring in The Wizard of Oz are John Bisom as the Scarecrow (MTW’s The Full Monty, The Thing About Men and Jesus Christ Superstar), John Massey, Jr. as the Cowardly Lion (MTW’s All Shook Up, The Full Monty and Guys and Dolls), and Todd Nielsen as the Tin Man.

About Musical Theatre West:

Musical Theatre West is one of Southern California's oldest and most respected regional musical theatre companies and draws more than 60,000 patrons to Long Beach's Carpenter Performing Arts Center. Now in its 53rd season, Musical Theatre West is the fastest growing arts organization in Long Beach and is dedicated to preserving musical theatre as a unique American art form.

About Carpenter Performing Arts Center, CSULB:

The Carpenter Performing Arts Center seats 1,079 patrons in a lush and intimate configuration. The stage area was modeled after the New York State Theater of the Arts at Lincoln Center, and can accommodate large or small performing ensembles, film screenings, concerts, conferences and other special events.