Theatre’s annual Summer Extravaganza will delight families of all ages

Stageworks Theatre is presenting The Wizard of Oz as its annual Summer Extravaganza starting this weekend and running through August 13. Much like Dorothy and her friends have to take a journey, so did the cast as crew as they packed up hundreds of costumes, props, and set pieces and temporarily left their home on Grant Street to set up the production at the nearby Berry Center.

“While Stageworks offers a full season of a wide variety of shows for all different types of audiences, each year we select one particularly grand, crowd-pleasing show to be presented at the much larger space in the Berry Center to reach as many families as possible,” said Adam Delka, who is directing the production, along with musical direction by Chelsea Lerner. Previous Stageworks Summer Extravaganza productions at the Berry Center include Annie and Peter Pan.

Stageworks puts a modern twist on this beloved story. The production offers everything from flying monkeys, stunning visual effects, lavish costumes, and – of course – some red ruby slippers. “I don’t want to give away too many secrets, but there will be actual flying effects in this production,” said Delka. He promises a grand-scale show, with numbers performed by an ensemble of nearly two dozen singers and dancers.

Maintaining its dedication to the community, Stageworks has partnered with local business Natural Pawz as the official “Toto Sponsor.” Staff will be on hand at all performances to accept audience donations of canned and dry dog food. Additionally, anyone bringing a Wizard of Oz playbill to a Natural Pawz shop in Cypress or Bridgeland will receive $5 off any $20 purchase

Just a few of the Stageworks’ alums populating Oz are Morgan Montgomery (Dorothy), Justin White (Scarecrow), David Allen III (Lion), Amanda Hart Bassett (Wicked Witch of the West), J Blanchard (The Wizard of Oz), Shannon Murray (Auntie Em), and Jeff Stallings (Uncle Henry/The Guard). Lead actors new to the Stageworks family are Josef Anderson (Tinman), and Celeste Hendrickson (Glinda). “Although we have one actor who threatens to steal the entire show: Fosse, the dog who plays Toto,” said Delka.

The Wizard of Oz will take place at the Berry Center located at 8877 Barker Cypress Road in Cypress. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. through August 13. Special Saturday matinees will be performed at 2 p.m. on August 5 and 12. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.stageworkstx.org or by phone at 281-587-6100. Special pricing is available for groups of 10 or more.