Directed by Amber Mak

November 14, 2018 – January 6, 2019
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“Just right for kids and a nostalgic blast for the grown ups”
Highly Recommended, Dean’s List A
-Dean Richards, WGN-TV & Radio

Written by L. Frank Baum
With Music and Lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg
Adapted by John Kane for the Royal Shakespeare Company
Based upon the classic motion picture owned by Turner Entertainment Co. and distributed in all media by Warner Bros.

You may have been to Oz before, but never like this… Stuck on a Kansas farm with her aunt, uncle and dog Toto, Dorothy Gale wishes for a better and more exciting life. When a twister hits, Dorothy is whisked away to the wonderful world of Oz, a fantastical place full of munchkins, a cowardly lion, a tin man with no heart, a living scarecrow … and a wicked witch that will do whatever it takes to stop Dorothy.

We absolutely dazzled you with Disney’s The Little Mermaid. We made you believe in Santa with Elf The Musical. Now we’re taking you over the rainbow in what is sure to be one of our most talked about musicals yet. Thousands of families come through our doors each holiday season, and with our two-story Christmas tree and fully-decorated lobby, you can update your cherished memory of sharing the classic movie at home to sharing it all over again live on stage at the beautiful Paramount Theatre.

The Wizard of Oz Painting Party

Did you know?

  • Originally from Kansas, Director Amber Mak has performed in The Wizard of Oz eight times in her professional career, including her very first job. She’s lived in the world of Oz as a performer, and now she’s ready to recreate the world of Oz as a director.
  • “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was written solely to pleasure children of today. It aspires to being a modernized fairy tale, in which the wonderment and joy are retained and the heart-aches and nightmares are left out,” said L. Frank Baum who published the novel in 1900 and went on to write 13 more novels about the places and people of Oz.
  • From the dreariness of Kansas to the technicolor land of Oz, the 30-foot tall Paramount stage will transform and imaginatively take you over the rainbow into another fantastical world.

Elizabeth Stenholt plays Dorothy and Nessa plays Toto in Paramount Theatre’s The Wizard of Oz. Photo credit: Liz Lauren

(from left) Elizabeth Stenholt plays Dorothy, Kyle Adams is Hunk, Paul-Jordan Jansen plays Zeke and Carl Draper is Hickory in Paramount Theatre’s The Wizard of Oz. Photo credit: Liz Lauren

Dorothy (Elizabeth Stenholt) meets Professor Marvel (Gene Weygandt) in Paramount Theatre’s The Wizard of Oz. Photo credit: Liz Lauren

Dorothy (Elizabeth Stenholt) gets whisked over the rainbow by a Kansas cyclone in Paramount Theatre’s The Wizard of Oz. Photo credit: Liz Lauren

A Kansas cyclone drops Dorothy (Elizabeth Stenholt) in Munchkinland in Paramount Theatre’s The Wizard of Oz. Photo credit: Liz Lauren

Harriet Nzinga Plumpp is Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, and Elizabeth Stenholt plays Dorothy, pictured here with the Munchkins, in Paramount Theatre’s The Wizard of Oz. Photo credit: Liz Lauren

(from left) Caron Buinis plays the Wicked Witch of the West, Harriet Nzinga Plumpp is Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, and Elizabeth Stenholt plays Dorothy in Paramount Theatre’s The Wizard of Oz. Photo credit: Liz Lauren

(from left) Elizabeth Stenholt plays Dorothy and Kyle Adams is Scarecrow in Paramount Theatre’s The Wizard of Oz. Anthony Sullivan Jr., Peter Sipla and J Tyler Whitmer play the Crows with puppets created by Jesse Mooney-Bullock. Photo credit: Liz Lauren

(from left) Carl Draper is Tinman in Paramount Theatre’s The Wizard of Oz. Photo credit: Liz Lauren

Caron Buinis plays the Wicked Witch of the West in Paramount Theatre’s The Wizard of Oz. Nich O’Neil is Nikko the Flying Monkey, with a puppet by Jesse Mooney-Bullock. Photo credit: Liz Lauren

(from left) Paul-Jordan Jansen plays Cowardly Lion, Carl Draper is Tinman, Elizabeth Stenholt plays Dorothy, Kyle Adams is Scarecrow and that’s Nessa as Toto in Paramount Theatre’s The Wizard of Oz. Photo credit: Liz Lauren

(from left) Elizabeth Stenholt plays Dorothy and Caron Buinis is the Wicked Witch of the West in Paramount Theatre’s The Wizard of Oz. Photo credit: Liz Lauren

The Wizard of Oz (Gene Weygandt) sails high above Emerald City and (principal characters, from left) Dorothy (Elizabeth Stenholt), Scarecrow (Kyle Adams, jumping), Cowardly Lion (Paul-Jordan Jansen) and Tinman (Carl Draper). Photo credit: Liz Lauren

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Meet the Team

Cast

Jessica Palkovic

Ensemble, Munchkin, Jitterbug, u/s Dorothy Gale

Jessica is so excited to be teaching at The Paramount School! Jessi grew up in Peoria, IL, where her love for theatre and dance all began. Jessi studied dance with The Peoria Ballet and The Rock School for Dance Education. She also competed in the Youth American Grand Prix, an international ballet competition, in 2010 and 2011. Jessi received her collegiate musical theatre training at The Chicago College of Performing Arts and Western Illinois University. Paramount theatre credits: Cabaret(Texas, u/s Sally), The Wizard of Oz (Ensemble, u/s Dorothy) and The Producers (Ensemble). When Jessi isn’t singing and dancing, she enjoys hunting for donuts with her husband, Bobby, and cuddling with their cat, Leche. Jessi is represented by Gray Talent Group.

Elizabeth Stenholt

Dorothy Gale

previously in The Wizard of Oz

Kyle Adams *

Hunk/Scarecrow

previously in Elf and The Wizard of Oz

Carl Draper *

Hickory/Tinman

previously in Oklahoma!, Mary Poppins, A Chorus Line and My Fair Lady 

Paul-Jordan Jansen *

Zeke/Cowardly Lion

previously in The Wizard of Oz and Sweeney Todd

Caron Buinis

Almira Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West

previously in Cabaret, Oklahoma! and The Music Man

Gene Weygandt *

Professor Chester Marvel/Wizard of Oz

previously in Little Shop of Horrors, The Wizard of Oz, and Annie

Emily Agy *

Ensemble, Mayor, Tree

previously in Elf

Anastasia Arnold

Ensemble, Munchkin, Jitterbug

making Paramount Theatre debut

Anna Brockman

Ensemble, Munchkin, Jitterbug

previously in The Wizard of Oz

Danielle Davila *

Ensemble, Swing

previously in Legally Blonde, Elf and The Little Mermaid

Audrey Edwards

Lullaby League

making Paramount Theatre debut

Allyson Graves *

Ensemble, Munchkin, Tree, Jitterbug

previously in The Wizard of Oz, Elf, The Little Mermaid, Mamma Mia!, West Side Story, Hairspray, Oklahoma! and Mary Poppins

Elyssa Hall

Lullaby League

making Paramount Theatre debut

Rodney L. Jones III

Lollipop Guild

making Paramount Theatre debut

Christopher Kelley *

Ensemble, Munchkin, Winkie, Jitterbug, u/s Hickory/Tinman

previously in Cinderella, Kinky Boots, Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, The Producers and The Wizard of Oz

Sebastian Merlo

Lollipop Guild

making Paramount Theatre debut

Maria Montero

Ensemble, Munchkin

previously in Legally Blonde

Leah Morrow *

Ensemble, Coroner, Tree, u/s Aunt Em/Glinda, u/s Almira Gulch/Wicked Witch

making Paramount Theatre debut

Steve O’Connell *

Uncle Henry/Emerald City Guard, u/s Professor Marvel/Wizard

previously in Mamma Mia!

Nich O’Neil

Ensemble, Munchkin, Nikko

previously in Newsies and The Wizard of Oz

Jessica Palkovic

Ensemble, Munchkin, Jitterbug, u/s Dorothy Gale

previously in The Wizard of Oz and Cabaret

Peter Sipla

Ensemble, Crow, Winkie General, u/s Zeke/Lion, u/s Uncle Henry/Emerald City Guard

previously in Miss Saigon

Anthony Sullivan Jr. *

Ensemble, Crow, Winkie, Jitterbug, Dance Captain, u/s Nikko

previously in The Producers, The Wizard of Oz, Legally Blonde, The Little Mermaid and West Side Story

Trey Thompson

Lollipop Guild

making Paramount Theatre debut

Aaron Umsted *

Ensemble, Munchkin, Winkie, Jitterbug, u/s Hunk/Scarecrow

previously in Legally Blonde, Cabaret and West Side Story

Charles Emery Ward

Ensemble, Swing

Previously in Beauty and the Beast, Elf and The Little Mermaid

J Tyler Whitmer *

Ensemble, Crow, Winkie

previously in The Producers, The Wizard of Oz, Legally Blonde, Cabaret, Elf, The Little Mermaid, Oklahoma! and Miss Saigon

Travis Austin Wright *

Ensemble, Munchkin, Winkie, Jitterbug

previously in The Secret of My Success, Newsies and The Wizard of Oz

Nessa

Toto

making Paramount Theatre debut

Nigel

u/s Toto

making Paramount Theatre debut

Artistic Team

Kory Danielson

Music Director & Conductor

Kevin Depinet †

Co-Scenic Designer

Christopher Rhoton

Co-Scenic Designer

Theresa Ham †

Costume Designer

Greg Hofmann †

Lighting Designer

Kevan Loney

Projection Designer

Adam Rosenthal

Sound Designer

Katie Cordts

Wig, Hair & Makeup Designer

Jesse Mooney-Bullock

Puppetry Designer

Ethan Deppe

Electronic Music Designer

Matt Aument

Orchestrator

Susan Gosdick

Dialect Coach

Jinni Pike *

Stage Manager

Kelly Montgomery *

Assistant Stage Manager

Megan E. Farley *

Associate Director & Associate Choreographer

Charlotte Rivard-Hoster

Assistant Music Director & Associate Conductor

* indicates member of Actors’ Equity Association (AEA)
† indicates member of United Scenic Artists (USA)
‡ indicates member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC)

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“beautifully performed” … “full of imagination” … “the perfect treat for a family night out” … Highly Recommended … Dean’s List A

Dean Richards

WGN TV & Radio

WGN TV & Radio

4 out of 4 stars. “a stunning, soulful spectacle,” “a gorgeous, ingeniously designed, female-empowered revival that boasts a superb cast and a robust 14-member orchestra”

Barbara Vitello

Daily Herald

Daily Herald

“a Broadway-worthy show of grand scale and exceptional imagination”

Hedy Weiss

WTTW

WTTW

3.5 out of 4 stars … whether this is your first trip to Oz or your 100th, it’s a magical place at the Paramount

Catey Sullivan

Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Sun-Times

“a magical two and a half hours of entertainment that every family can enjoy”

Alan Bresloff

Around the Town Chicago

Around the Town Chicago

“sumptuous, brilliantly crafted production” … “perfect family fare for the holiday season”

Ed Tracy

Conversations with Ed Tracy

Conversations with Ed Tracy

“No matter how old you are, you can’t deny the fantastic design and lighting work that went into this production. Some of the scenes were unbelievable to see come together on stage!”

Danielle Tufano

95.9 The River

95.9 The River

“a first-rate production and fun for the whole family”

Suzanne Magnuson

Chicago Splash

Chicago Splash

“I was grinning from ear to ear, virtually non-stop”

Paul Lockwood

Northwest Herald

Northwest Herald

“FABULOUS!!”

Dennis S., Facebook

Patron, Facebook

“Worth the drive out!”

Sharon P., Facebook

Patron, Facebook

“It’s another winning production from the Paramount Theatre crew. Recommended. Young kids will enjoy this judging from the response in the theatre.”

Phillip A., Facebook

Patron, Facebook

“Such a fun show! Stayed true to the movie with a little bit extra. The staging was unbelievable!!”

Renee N., Facebook

Patron, Facebook

“an exquisite, professionally produced, jaw-dropping spectacle that will always be remembered as fantastic”

Colin Douglas

Chicago Theatre Reviews

Chicago Theatre Reviews

“A fabulous evening in Oz is waiting for you at the Paramount Theatre”

Erika Brown Thomas

Chicagoland Musical Theatre

Chicagoland Musical Theatre

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Behind the Scenes

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