CONTINUING: We’re Off To See The Wizard! Playhouse Revives a Family Classic

Playhouse on the Square, in partnership with 1910 Frameworks, Playhouse on the Square season sponsor Dorothy O. Kirsch, and super sponsor Dr. Thomas Ratliff, are excited for the Playhouse on the Square revival of THE WIZARD OF OZ.

By L. Frank Baum, with Music and Lyrics by: Harold and E. Y. Harburg, the show runs thru December 22, 2022, at Playhouse on the Square.

Tickets are available now at playhouseonthesquare.org or by calling the box office, (901) 726-4656.

Based on the classic motion picture, young Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto are swept away in a tornado to the magical land of Oz. In a plot of twists and turns, Dorothy’s amazing adventure returns to Playhouse on the Square. There is indeed no place like home! This revival is perfect for the entire family.


Playhouse on the Square continues its tradition of incorporating young actors into their productions around the holidays. The Wizard of Oz will include X and Y casts of young people varying in ages from 8 to 14 years old.  These bright young stars are a mixture of public, private, and home-schooled students from across the Mid-South.

Whitney Branan (Something Rotten, Cabaret) returns to the Director/Choreographer’s chair for this production. In a current interview, Branan recalls her connection to Dorothy and her adventures. “I was alone a lot as a kid and spent a lot of time in my imagination. I thought that maybe that was weird. But watching The Wizard of Oz and being mesmerized by the images and the searching for heart, courage, and home comforted me.”

Headlining The Wizard of Oz cast is Patsy Detroit (May We All), as Dorothy.  Detroit returns to Memphis after co-starring in the World Premiere production of May We All in Nashville, TN. The Cowardly Lion will be portrayed by community actor Tyler Brumback (A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline). Playhouse on the Square Associate Company member Christian Nieves (Something Rotten, A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline), plays Tin Man. Former Playhouse on the Square Associate Danny Crowe (1984, Madagascar: A Musical Adventure) returns to the Playhouse on the Square stage as Scarecrow.

The Wizard of Oz at Playhouse on the Square will run for 7 weeks including Saturday and Sunday matinee productions. Schools across the Mid-South have the option to book daytime matinee productions by contacting the theatre box office at (901) 726-4656. Student ticket subsidy is available to Tennessee students experiencing financial hardship. Additional information regarding ticket subsidy can be found at https://tnartscommission.org/.

The full cast and crew of The Wizard of Oz is as follows:

THE CAST

Dorothy: Patsy Detroit
Witch/Mrs. Gulch: Caroline Simpson
Aunt Em/Glinda: Amy P. Nabors
Scarecrow: Danny Crowe
Tin Man: Cristian Nieves**
Lion: Tyler Brumback
Uncle/Oz Guard: Eric Schultz
The Wizard/Professor/Ensemble: Samantha Miller *

Adult Ensemble:  John Michael Dukes, Snowden Farnsworth**, Janae Gray, Ben Jaeger, Lexie Lang, Ty Lenderman, Courtney Noisette**, Amy Phillips, Gavin Pollan, Shelbi Sellers

Youth Ensemble: (X and Y Casts):  Lily Abney, Alleia Bakker, Reuben Bakker, Lilah Benjamin, Je’Myia T. Berry, Nancy Burgess, Abby Erdman, Mikhai Garrett, Piper Land, Brynn Lofties, Bridie Maki, Harper Moore, Zoe James Nevels, Liana Nuckolls, Teresa Nuckolls, Rainorah Jane Pare, Lynx Pollan, Beals Repetto, Drake Shehan, Kaylee Webb

Swings: Snowden Farnsworth**, Courtney Noisette**

THE CREATIVE TEAM

Director/Choreographer: Whitney Branan

Music Director: Susan Brindley

Stage Manager: Tessa Verner

Lighting Designer: TBA

Scenic Designer: Lex Van Blommestein

Costume Designer: Lindsay Schmeling

Props Designer: Kaylyn Nichols**

Sound Designer: Joshua Crawford
Production Manager/Technical Director: Phillip Hughen

*Playhouse on the Square Resident Company

**Playhouse on the Square Associate Company

Public performances will run Fridays at 7:00pm with Saturday and Sunday performances 2:00 pm & 7:00pm.  For tickets, call the Box Office at (901) 726-4656 or visit the website www.playhouseonthesquare.org. Group rates are also available. Follow on social media using #WOZ901.

Special ticket pricing for opening weekend is $30. Pay What You Can performances are Tuesday, December 20th and Wednesday, December 21st.

Playhouse on the Square, in the Overton Square Performing Arts District, 66 South Cooper Street, Memphis, TN 38104


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