Over The Rainbow – The Wizard Of Oz – London Musical
Des O’Connor Next Wizard of Oz
May 2nd
Des O’Connor next Wizard of Oz
Veteran entertainer Des O’Connor (80) is stongly rumoured to be taking over from Russell Grant as the Wizard of Oz in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production at the London Palladium. Grant leaves on 20th May and the show is currently booking until 28th October with the current Dorothy (Sophie Evans) now staying on until September.
The role was originally played by 70 year old Michael Crawford and O’Connor will take over the dual roles of Professor Marvel/Tour Guide/Doorman/The Wizard of Oz. This is only the second time he has performed in a West End musical appearing in Dreamboats & Petticoats at the Playhouse Theatre last year.
Since his first television appearance back in 1963 he has starred in his own shows for over 45 years – longer than anyone else anywhere in the world. He is probably best remembered in the West End when he hosted Sunday Night at the London Palladium making over 1000 appearances. His very successful career includes popular television shows (which include Des O’Connor Tonight and The Des O’Connor Show) O’Connor has 36 albums which have sold more than 16 million copies worldwide.
Des was awarded the CBE in 2008 for his services to Entertainment and Broadcasting and is widely regarded as one of the best loved and most respected stars in England.
The Wizard of Oz Books
Mar 13th
The Wizard of OZ books
L. Frank Baum wrote many stories around the Oz theme, describing the adventures of Dorothy Gale as well as other visitors from the real world. After he passed away in 1919, the mantle of “Royal Historian of Oz” was assumed by Ruth Plumly Thompson, and she continued to publish Oz stories from 1921 thru 1939. Since that time, many others have published Oz stories. Select any of the below listed items to see a list of these books. Full descriptions are also provided for the Baum Oz books. In addition, the full text of many of the books are provided.
There are fourteen books in the Wizard of Oz series by Baum, plus a book of short stories. The following lists these by date of first publication.
- 1900 The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
- 1904 The Marvelous Land of Oz
- 1907 Ozma of Oz
- 1908 Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz
- 1909 The Road to Oz
- 1910 The Emerald City of Oz
- 1913 The Patchwork Girl of Oz
- 1914 Little Wizard Stories of Oz
- 1914 Tik-Tok of Oz
- 1915 The Scarecrow of Oz
- 1916 Rinkitink in Oz
- 1917 The Lost Princess of Oz
- 1918 The Tin Woodman of Oz
- 1919 The Magic of Oz
- 1920 Glinda of Oz
Over the 20th Century, Oz as a global phenomenon has grown far beyond the boundaries of a series of children’s stories and a classical movie. Oz icons are instantly recognizable across the breadth and depth of American society, and in the world in general. This omnipresence has led to myths, parodies, allegories, pastiches, etc., etc., all of which perpetuate and extend the Oz experience.
The Wizard of Oz gets Four Nominations
Dec 3rd
The Wizard of Oz received four nominations in the 2012 Whatsonstage.com Awards.
During the past month, more than 10,000 London theatre goers have been busy nominating their favourite productions. The shortlist was announced on Friday 2nd December today at the Cafe de Paris in London, and voting is now open for theatre fans to choose their winners at the Whatsonstage.com website. Voting closes on 31st January 2012, and the winners will be announced at a special ceremony on 19th February.
The Wizard of Oz’s four nominations are:
- Best Musical Revival – The Wizard of Oz
- London Newcomer of the Year – Danielle Hope
- Best Supporting Actress in a Musical – Hannah Waddingham
- Best Set Designer – Robert Jones
CLICK HERE to cast your vote!
Whatsonstage.com Awards – Theatregoers Choice Awards
Wizard of Oz Prequel – Oz The Great And Powerful
Jul 28th
James Franco will play the young wizard in Oz The Great and Powerful, a feature film from Walt Disney Pictures that began production on July 25th 2011, directed by Sam Raimi.
Oz The Great and Powerful is a prequel to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) by L. Frank Baum, with a script co-written by David Lindsay-Abaire and Mitchell Kapner. The story is told from the point of view of the Wizard, telling how the Wizard arrived in Oz and how he became the ruler.
The all-star cast of the film includes Zach Braff as Franco’s assistant, Mila Kunis as the witch Theodora, Rachel Weisz as Kunis’ sister Evanora and Michelle Williams as Glinda the Good Witch. The film is due to be released through Disney Studios Motion Pictures on March 8th, 2013.
When Oscar Diggs, a small-time circus magician is blown off course from Kansas to the land of Oz, he thinks he has made the big time. Then he meets three witches who don’t think he is the great wizard everyone has been expecting. Finding out who is good and who is bad helps Oscar Diggs become the great and powerful Wizard of Oz
Wizard of Oz London Cast Recording
Apr 5th
The New Wizard of Oz London Cast Recording
The full London cast album recording of The Wizard Of Oz is to be released on 2nd May 2011 on Polydor Records in association with Really Useful Group. The 24 track set includes all the much-loved songs from the Oscar-winning movie score by Harold Arlen and E Y Harburg plus new songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. The Wizard Of Oz cast recording features the full London cast of performers including the multi-award winning Michael Crawford and Danielle Hope, the winner of the BBC One hit TV show Over The Rainbow. The superb supporting cast comprises of Edward Baker-Duly (Tin Man), David Ganly (Cowardly Lion), Paul Keating (Scarecrow), Emily Tierney (Glinda) and Hannah Waddingham (Wicked Witch Of the West) accompanied by a 36 strong ensemble.
Here’s the track listing from the show:
Tracklisting
ACT ONE
1. Overture
2. Nobody Understands Me
3. Over The Rainbow
4. Wonders Of The World
5. The Twister
6. Arrival In Munchkinland
7. Munchkinland / Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead
8. Follow The Yellow Brick Road
9. If I Only Had A Brain / We’re Off To See The Wizard
10. If I Only Had A Heart / We’re Off To See The Wizard
11. If I Only Had The Nerve / We’re Off To See The Wizard
12. We’re Outta The Woods
13. The Merry Old Land Of Oz
14. Bring Me The Broomstick
ACT TWO
15. Haunted Forest
16. Red Shoe Blues
17. Bacchanalia
18. Red Shoe Blues (Reprise)
19. Over The Rainbow (Reprise)
20. If We Only Had A Plan
21. The Rescue
22. Hail Hail! The Witch is Dead
23. The Wizards Departure
24. Finale
Read more: http://theatrebreaks.co/wiki/The_Wizard_of_Oz#The_New_Wizard_of_Oz_London_Cast_Recording#ixzz1IeYsvze4
The Wizard of Oz London Palladium
Mar 6th
The Wizard of Oz London Palladium
A great photo of the Wizard of Oz sign outside the London Palladium taken by Fizikal Rex / Dave Bond used here with permission.
Red Shoes Blues – Hannah Waddingham
Mar 3rd
Hannah Waddingham sings Red Shoes Blues
One of the new songs written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber for the new musical Wizard of Oz in London.
I want her shoeless.
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