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Metropolis Performing Arts Centre announces cast and creative team for The Wizard of Oz July 8 – August 9, 2026
Audiences are Invited To Travel “Over the Rainbow” for this Timeless Journey with Familiar Characters and Oscar-Winning Music
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights, 111 W. Campbell St., is proud to announce the cast and creative team for The Wizard of Oz, July 8 – August 9. The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum with music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg. Background music by Herbert Stothart.
Dance and vocal arrangements by Peter Howard. Orchestration by Larry Wilcox. 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. Directed and choreographed by Tor Campbell and music directed by Sharon Mason.
The regular performance schedule is Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., with added matinee performances on Thursday, July 16 and Thursday, July 30 at 2 p.m.
The performance on Saturday, July 18 at 2 p.m. will be closed captioned and the performance on Thursday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m. will be ASL interpreted. There will also be a sensory-friendly performance on Saturday, August 8 at 2 p.m. Tickets are now on sale from $25 to $49 at MetropolisArts.com or by calling the box office at 847.577.2121.
Audiences are invited to join The Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Dorothy… and Toto, too, as they follow the yellow brick road in search of their heart’s desires. For the first time on Metropolis’ Main Stage, L. Frank Baum’s tale comes to life in this extraordinary story of heart, friendship, courage and belonging. This adaptation contains all of the Oscar-winning songs from the movie, including “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “We’re Off To See The Wizard,” all while reminding audiences that there is no place like home.
In addition to the company of professional artists, summer class students from the Metropolis School of the Performing Arts, will be a part of the Munchinkin troupe. Metropolis School of Performing Arts was awarded the Illinois Theatre Association’s 2025 Award of Excellence in Creative Drama/Theatre for Young Audiences. The school was also the recipient of the 2025 Nonprofit of the Year Award from the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce.
The cast of The Wizard of Oz includes Nora Wragg (Dorothy Gale); David Omari
(Tin Man/Hickory); Nolan Robinson (Scarecrow/Hunk); Jake Elkins (Lion/Zeke); Genevieve Thiers (Gulch/Wicked Witch); Gabe Fries (Wizard/Prof Marvel); Danielle Spence (Glinda/Aunt Em); Joe Giovannetti (Uncle Henry/Guard); Rachel Arianna(ensemble, U/S Gulch/Wicked Witch); Andrew John Baker (ensemble, U/S Lion/Zeke); Corey Barlow (ensemble, U/S Scarecrow/Hunk); Kiana Beverly (ensemble); Ben Harmon (ensemble, U/S Wizard/Prof Marvel); Beck Hokanson (ensemble, U/S Uncle Henry/Guard); Emmett Knee (ensemble, U/S Tin Man/Hickory); Rebecca Mactaggart (ensemble, dance captain, U/S Glinda/Aunt Em); Lily Ramras (ensemble, U/S Dorothy); Gracie Scullion(ensemble); Angelena Browne (swing); Edward Nadenichek (swing) and Cali Spence(Toto).
The Wizard of Oz’s creative team is Tor Campbell (director and choreographer); Sharon Mason (music director); Lena Romano (assistant director); Zak Jacobs (assistant choreographer); Matt Carney (casting director); Abby Truett (stage manager); Mack Finklea (assistant stage manager); Alyssa Mohn (scenic designer); Sierra Walker (lighting designer); Forrest Gregor (sound designer); David Moreland (technical director); Theresa Ham (costume designer); TBD (wig, hair and makeup designer); Kaitlyn Hettinger (props designer) and Tony Churchill (projections designer).
ABOUT TOR CAMBELL, DIRECTOR and CHOREOGRAPHER
Tor Cambell is an award-winning director, choreographer, educator and creative producer whose work centers storytelling, humanity and transformational theatrical experiences. A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Cambell has spent nearly two decades directing, choreographing and teaching across the country and internationally, developing a reputation for emotionally rich, visually dynamic work that bridges spectacle with heart.
Cambell recently joined Interlochen Center for the Arts as the new program director of Musical Theatre while continuing his work as a freelance director and choreographer throughout the country. Recent directing and choreography credits include Covenant and A Christmas Carol at Goodman Theatre, Cabaret at Clarence Brown Theatre, The Full Monty, Hairspray, Seussical, The Prom and Sweat. He previously served as the Northwestern Directing Fellow at Goodman Theatre in Chicago and has worked professionally with organizations including Paramount Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Northwestern University. Lake Forest College, University of California Irvine and Juilliard.
ABOUT SHARON MASON, MUSIC DIRECTOR
Sharon Mason is a Chicago-based music director, educator, administrator and arts leader with more than 45 musical productions to her credit across community, educational, and professional theatre settings. Known for her collaborative leadership style and commitment to artistic excellence, Mason has served as music director for productions including Gypsy, The Addams Family, Godspell 2012, Guys and Dolls, Legally Blonde, Matilda, Footloose, The Producers, Something Rotten, Sister Act, Little Women and Seussical. Her work spans organizations including the Beverly Theatre Guild, Palos Village Players, Lake Forest Academy and other regional theatre companies. She has been described as a vital part of teams producing high-quality local musical theater.
ABOUT METROPOLIS PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre is a vibrant cultural hub that enriches the community through inspiring live performances, creative arts education and impactful partnerships. It fosters artistic excellence, cultivates multi-generational connections and offers inclusive experiences that engage and uplift all community members. Located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights, Metropolis is not just a theatre, it is the cultural pulse of the area, surrounded by premier shopping, dining and nightlife. Metropolis offers a dynamic year-round season of professional theatre, comedy, concerts and cabaret performances along with engaging arts education for ages 3 to 85 years old. Serving more than 65,000 patrons annually from across Chicagoland and beyond, Metropolis plays a pivotal role in the community. It provides arts education programs that support thousands of aspiring young artists, as well as community engagement initiatives like the Third Act Players (musical theatre for thespians over 50), Crescendo Chorus (for singers over 55), Flourish in the Footlights (for young artists with disabilities) and Clearbrook on Cue (for artists with disabilities). Metropolis is proud to partner with local organizations such as Endeavor Health, Arlington Heights Senior Center and Clearbrook. Scholarships are available for students at the School of the Performing Arts to ensure access to the arts for all.
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights, 111 W. Campbell St., is proud to announce the cast and creative team for The Wizard of Oz, July 8 – August 9. The Wizard of Oz is adapted by John Kane, music by Harold Arlen, lyrics by E.Y. Harburg and directed and choreographed by Tor Campbell and music directed by Sharon Mason Previews are Wednesday, July 8 through Friday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 11 at 2 p.m., with the press opening Saturday, July 11 at 7:30 p.m. The regular performance schedule is Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., with added matinee performances on Thursday, July 16 and Thursday, July 30 at 2 p.m. The performance on Saturday, July 18 at 2 p.m. will be closed captioned and the performance on Thursday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m. will be ASL interpreted. There will also be a sensory-friendly performance on Saturday, August 8 at 2 p.m. Tickets are now on sale from $25 to $49 at MetropolisArts.com or by calling the box office at 847.577.2121.
The Wizard of Oz is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark L.L.C. www.concordtheatricals.com
The Wizard of Oz sponsors: The title show sponsors are Michael and Nancie Freeborn. The supporting show sponsor is DoubleTree by Hilton in Arlington Heights. The Season Show Sponsor is Suburban Accents. The Season Paint Sponsor is Marc Poulos Painting and Decorating. The Season Costume storage sponsor is Jennifer Burnidge, CLU, ChFC, RICP State Farm Agent.
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Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
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