All-Canadian Cast to Lead Toronto's THE WIZARD OF OZ

Producers Bill Kenwright, The Really Useful Group, David Mirvish, Troika Entertainment & Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures have announced the all-Canadian cast of the North American premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's new stage adaptation of THE WIZARD OF OZ.

Danielle Wade of LaSalle, Ontario, who captured the title of Canada's Top Dorothy in CBC TV's "Over The Rainbow," stars as Dorothy. An exciting new discovery, Danielle recently completed her second year at the University of Windsor in acting. This is her first professional engagement. As she famously said on the finale of the TV show: "I've never auditioned for anything before. I hope they all go like this."

Playing opposite Danielle in another of the most iconic roles is one of Canada's most respected and honoured actors: Gemini-winner, film and theatre veteran, Cedric Smith stars as the Wizard.

Lisa Horner, star of Shaw and StratfoRD Productions and best known for her role as Claire in the Fringe hit My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding, plays the Wicked Witch. Actor and choreographer Mike Jackson stars as the Tin Man. Star of Mamma Mia! and a Dora Award winner for his play High Life, Lee MacDougall plays the Lion. Jamie McKnight, known for his performance in The Producers and as one of the Canadian Tenors, stars as the Scarecrow and Robin Evan Willis, star of many Shaw Festival productions, plays Glinda.

The ensemble includes: Larry Mannell as Uncle Henry, Charlotte Moore as Aunt Em, Jordan Bell, Eric Coles, Sam DiGiuseppe, Chelsey Duplak, John Edwards, Kelly Grainger, Sarah Higgins, Julianne Hobby, Jason Huska, Zak Kearns, Ayrin Mackie, Anthony MacPherson, Stewart Adam McKensy, Julia McLellan, Kristen Pottle, Alana Randall, Adam Sergison, Sarah Slywchuk, AnDrew Taylor, Jesse Weafer, Cleopatra Williams, Ryan Wilson and Alyson Workman.

Performances for THE WIZARD OF OZ begin December 20, 2012. The media performance is January 13, 2013.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's new production of THE WIZARD OF OZ is an enchanting adaptation of the all-time classic, totally reconceived for the stage by the award-winning creative team that recently delighted Toronto audiences of all ages with the revival of The Sound of Music.

Developed from the ever popular MGM screenplay, this new production contains all the beloved songs from the Oscar®-winning movie score, all the favourite characters and iconic moments, plus a few surprises along the way, including new songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Click your heels together and join Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Dorothy and her little dog Toto, as they journey through the magical land of Oz to meet the Wizard and obtain their hearts' desires. Watch out for the Wicked Witch of the West and her winged monkeys as you rediscover the real story of Oz in this fantastic musical treat for all the family.

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