Over the Rainbow in Brisbane
Queensland Musical Theatre presents The Wizard of Oz from June 11-15, 2014 at the Schonell Theatre, University of Queensland
The well-known tale presenting the time-honoured themes of friendship, loyalty and good versus evil was written as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in 1900 by L. Frank Baum, it has been called the original American fairy tale.
The book was the basis for the Oscar-winning 1939 MGM film The Wizard of Oz, which starred Judy Garland as Dorothy. Over the years it has become one of the best known of all films and part of American popular culture. The lyrics for the songs were written by E.Y. Harburg, with music by Harold Arlen. Incidental music, based largely on the songs, was by Herbert Stothart, with borrowings from classical composers. For this musical version, developed by the Royal Shakespeare Company of London, adaptations to the original screenplay are by John Kane.
The story is familiar to all and loved by all ages. Dorothy (Amy Winner) lives with her Aunt Em (Tammie Watson)and Uncle Henry (Rob Carr)on a small farm in the American state of Kansas. Three farmhands Hunk (Conor Ensor), Hickory(James Rogers)and Zeke (Shane Webb)live and work there, too. Life is hard, stressful and colourless. As the story unfolds, Dorothy and her dog Toto are transported, with the help of a tornado, to a wonderfully colourful fantasy land where Dorothy is hailed as the heroine of the little Munchkins because her falling house has killed the Wicked Witch of the East thus freeing them from the Witch’s cruelty. But Dorothy cannot return to Kansas in the same way. Guided by Glinda, the Good Witch of the North (Amy Cooper)and aided by a Scarecrow, a Tin Man and a Cowardly Lion, Dorothy travels the Yellow Brick Road to the wonderful Emerald City to seek the help of The Wizard, all the while trying to stay clear of the Wicked Witch of the West (Ros Booth).
Amy Winner (Dorothy - pictured) has been on the stage and performing since 3 years old. In primary school, she frequented the Ipswich Eisteddfod, where she won the aggregate trophy twice and through school and dance troupes was involved in several productions including her first female lead as Linda Street [Lois Lane] in The Man of Steel. She studied drama, voice and dance privately, shared the subject prize for Grade 12 Music and has gone onto further studies in these areas beyond school - including short courses with NIDA and completing The Performance Workshop year-long artists program in 2013, scoring the female lead in their auditioned musical. Amy has a particular passion for singing and has been a soloist at the Forest Lake Community Carols for the past 15 years. She is also a member of the Ignite Choir, performing as their auditioned soloist for its end of year performances in 2012. Her most recent productions include The Boy From Oz (Ignatians) and performing as Cinderella, in Cinderella and Prince Charming's Wedding Celebration (Pen2Stage) - a children's musical princess show touring the Philippines in December last year. Amy is also a dentist and qualified group fitness instructor.
Queensland Musical Theatre’s production of The Wizard of Oz plays from 11-15 June at the Schonell Theatre, University of Queensland. Curtain is at 7.30 p.m. from Wednesday to Saturday with 1.30 p.m. matinees on Saturday, 10 June and Sunday, 11 June.
Bookings: http://www.queenslandmusicaltheatre.com/index/tickets/or via Ticketek Tel: 132 849 or http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=WIZARDOF14.
Image: Dorothy (Amy Winner) with Toto (Toby Jack).
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