New Wizard of Oz adaptation coming to Forest View Educational Center
Eighty years ago, the Wizard of Oz film was created and people of all ages fell in love.
What better way to celebrate the 80th anniversary of a timeless classic than with a unique and entertaining adaptation.
The Really Most Sincerely WonderfuI Wizard of Oz will be performed by The District 214 Community Education Theater Lab on Dec. 6 through Dec. 8 at Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Rd. in Arlington Heights.
This fantastic play is adapted from the book "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by Frank Baum. It is based on the beloved story and features original music by a local composer, Jason Costabile., who wrote the score. He and his musicians will be performing live at each performance.
"This is great for all ages, because it gives us the opportunity to unplug from our devices, turn off our screens and share in the re-telling of a story we all know and love," shared Patrick Zielinski, Community Education Coordinator and Producer.
"There are a lot of familiar characters, but we treat them in a new way and add some parts that you might have never seen before," said Anne Tracy, who co-wrote the adaption and plays the Scarecrow in the production.
The adaptation is not a parody or a satire, but it is "most sincere, but with jokes."
"We are presenting a fresh take on a familiar story that is funny, bright and beautiful and meant to appeal to adults and children alike," said John Meyers, artistic director of The Theater Lab. "The characters are given fuller stories and more opportunities for fun; the play is very funny even as it is full of elegance, emotion and the unexpected."
"Music makes the story connect beyond language, it connects us emotionally so it's been really rewarding to be able to incorporate some original music into the production," Zielinski said.
Baum wrote and published the "Wonderful Wizard of OZ" in Chicago in 1901 and in 1902 he staged a musical adaptation of the book at the Chicago Opera House, which eventually went to Broadway.
Show times are Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 7 and Sunday, Dec. 8 at 2:30 p.m. Call the box office for tickets at (847) 718-7702.