BANGOR — There’s no place like home, especially for the holidays, and this holiday season, there will be no place like Penobscot Theatre Company when “The Wizard of Oz” will take audiences over the rainbow Dec. 4-28.
Singing and dancing along the yellow brick road will be local standouts Dominick Varney, Ben Layman and Ira Kramer as the Scarecrow, the Lion and the Tinman, respectively; Arthur Morison as the Wizard-Professor; Brianne Beck as Auntie Em-Glinda the Good Witch; and Brad LaBree as Uncle Henry-the Guard. The iconic role of Dorothy will be shared by Molly Hagerty of Bangor and Bronwyn Beardsley of Ellsworth.
Pamela Chabora, an Equity actress from Portland whose credits include the 2011-2012 Broadway tour of “The Fiddler on the Roof,” will play the Wicked Witch of the West. Sophie, a 5-year-old, 8.5-pound Yorkshire terrier that lives in Bangor with Cindy Ingalls and Amy McCormack, will make her theatrical debut in the role of Toto. Some of the region’s most talented vocalists and dancers comprise “The Wizard’s” diverse ensemble, including Tina Burns, Stephanie Erb, Grace Livingston (dance captain), Heather Libby, Matt Madore, Daniel Perkins, Bob Potts, Birdie Sawyer and Alyssa Stubbs.
Phil Burns will direct the pit band and play keyboard, joined by seasoned musicians Will Davis on violin, Wellington Gordon on bass, Scott Rapaport on reed, Brian Nadeau on trumpet, James Winters on trombone and Tom Libby on drums.
Leading the production design team is Lex Liang, scenic and costume; Shon Causer, lighting; Brandie Rita, sound; and Meredith Perry, properties.
For the third consecutive year, Penobscot Theatre Company is partnering with the Bangor Humane Society to encourage dog adoption throughout the run of the holiday show.
“At each performance we’ll feature a cute canine seeking a two-legged companion,” said Producing Artistic Director Bari Newport. “The dog who played Toto in the film version of “The Wizard of Oz” was adopted from a shelter and trained for the role. Certainly every dog deserves a chance to play a starring role in a loving home.”
The Wizard of Oz is produced in partnership with Dead River Company, Deighan Wealth Advisors,Kindred Spirits Veterinary Clinic, Bangor International Airport, Granville Stone and Hearth, and Green Acres Kennel Shop. The theater also acknowledges the support provided throughout the season by its sponsors Canyon Networks, The Charles Inn, Bangor Daily News, The Maine Arts Commission, The Maine Edge, Blueberry Broadcasting, Downtown with Rich Kimball, ZONE Radio and WLBZ Channel 2.
To purchase tickets or for information, call the box office at 942-3333 or visit penobscottheatre.org.