This weekend a family favorite will complete it’s 10 performance run at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. Audiences will join Dorthy, Toto, and friends as they travel to the Emerald City in the traveling production of “The Wizard of Oz” this Friday and Saturday.

Sure to captivate the imaginations of all ages of theatre-goers, the acclaimed production features a wealth of special effects and spectacular scenery. “The Wizard Of Oz” features timeless songs including “Somewhere Over The Rainbow,” “We’re Off To See The Wizard,” “If I Only Had A Brain,” “Ding Dong, The Witch Is Dead” and “Follow The Yellow Brick Road.”

Directing this new production of “The Wizard Of Oz” is internationally renowned director and choreographer Phil McKinley. His list of credits spans Broadway and regional theatre and includes the Broadway smash hit, “The Boy From Oz,” starring Tony award-winning actor Hugh Jackman. McKinley’s 1991 direction of “The Wizard Of Oz,” which starred Phyllis Diller, garnered a Kansas City Drama Desk Award for Best Direction. McKinley is joined in this production by veteran choreographer Paula Lynn.

Due to its extraordinary special effects and flying scenes, “The Wizard Of Oz” is celebrated as the “most popular musical” of its time, yet it is one of the most challenging to re-create on stage. The elaborate production by Kansas City’s Starlight Theatre includes a Kansas tornado, a flying witch and a troupe of flying monkeys.

Atlanta area kids participated in a spirited audition earlier this year at Dillard’s at Atlantic Station. Fifty-five young actors and performers were chosen for the show. They will take the stage as munchkins, jitterbugs, monkeys and residents of Oz.

Theater of the Stars will present “The Wizard Of Oz” at the fabulous Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree Street, on Aug. 10 at 8 p.m. and on Aug. 11 at noon and 6 p.m.

Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster. Purchases through Ticketmaster can be made in three ways: at Ticketmaster ticket centers, by calling 404-817-8700 or by ordering online at www.ticketmaster.com. For group ticket sales, call the Fox Theatre Group Sales Office at 404-881-2000. Ticket prices range from $20-64.

Theater of the Stars is celebrating its 55th Anniversary this year as one of the nation’s premier theater companies. For more information, visit www.theaterofthestars.com.

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