The Dora Mavor Moore Awards were founded on December 13, 1978 by a committee convened by Millie Drain. on that date, Drain and the other founders (Ann Antkiw, ronald bryden, bill Glassco, Graham Harley, Leon Major, Sean Mulcahy, Peter Peroff, heinar Piller, Susan rubes, Pat Stewart and Sylvia Tucker) decided to institute an award to recognize outstanding achievements in Toronto theatre.

Today, the Doras honour the creators of over 200 theatre, dance and opera productions annually in five major divisions: General Theatre, Independent Theatre, Theatre for Young Audience, Dance and opera. A jury of up to ten (10) individuals votes to select the winners in each division. A total of 35 awards are given out at the annual gala. The Doras are named for Dora Mavor Moore (1888 – 1979), a well-loved teacher and director who helped establish Canadian professional theatre in the 1930s and 1940s. each winner receives a bronze statue cast from an original by Toronto sculptor John romano.

The Wizard of Oz nominations are as follows:

- Outstanding Production – Wizard of Oz
- Outstanding Performance, Male – Cedric Smith
- Outstanding Performance, Female – Lisa Horner
- Outstanding Performance, Ensemble – Ensemble
- Outstanding Direction - Jeremy Sams
- Outstanding Scenic Design – Robert Jones
- Outstanding Costume Design – Robert Jones
- Outstanding Lighting Design – Hugh Vanstone
- Outstanding Choreography - Arlene Phillips

If you want to catch Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion in action, visit them on their US Tour 2013! Click below for more information!

The Canadian production of THE WIZARD OF OZ will play its final performance in Toronto on Sunday August 18 at the Ed Mirvish Theatre. THE WIZARD OF OZ leaves Toronto to embark on an extensive North American Tour that kicks off on September 10, 2013 at The Smith Center in Las Vegas, NV.

Tickets for the final 15 weeks of performances in Toronto will go on sale Monday May 6.

From the first performance on December 20, 2012, the North American premiere of THE WIZARD OF OZ has been a box office hit! By the time the show concludes its run in Toronto, over 600,000 people will have been to Oz and back!

The North American tour includes engagements in key markets including: Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Seattle, St. Paul, Houston and Philadelphia.

The North American tour will feature many of the same talented cast who are currently starring in the Toronto production including Danielle Wade as Dorothy, who was chosen by the Canadian public through CBC TV’s ‘Over The Rainbow’, Mike Jackson as the Tin Man, Lee MacDougall as the Lion, Jamie McKnight as the Scarecrow and Robin Evan Willis as Glinda.

Developed from the ever popular MGM screenplay, this new production contains all the beloved Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg songs from the Oscar®-winning movie score, all the favorite characters and iconic moments, plus a few surprises along the way, including new songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Click your heels together and join Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Dorothy and her little dog Toto, as they journey through the magical land of Oz to meet the Wizard and obtain their hearts’ desires. Watch out for the Wicked Witch of the West and her winged monkeys as you rediscover the real story of Oz in this fantastic musical treat for all the family.
Costumes are made with Swarovski Elements

The Jays lined field during the national anthem before the start of the big game at Rogers Centre against the Cleveland Indians in Toronto April 2, 2013.

Jeremy Sams at the Ed Mirvish Theatre, Toronto

Forget that old charlatan behind the curtain, Professor Marvel. If you’re looking for a new, up-to-the minute production of The Wizard of Oz, put your faith in theatre director Jeremy Sams.

Climb the gold and marble stairs at the Ed Mirvish Theatre, where giant ruby slippers guard the way, tiptoe past the orchestra pit where “Over the Rainbow” is being played in a beautifully lush arrangement and carefully glide by the basement where the Wicked Witch of the West is cackling demonically.

This may sound like The Wizard of Oz that people have come to know from the 1939 MGM film, but Andrew Lloyd Webber and David Mirvish are the producers of this theatrical version: it’s in previews now before its Jan. 13 opening. And that’s a team that aims to make magic for their audiences with every production.

But Sams is truly the secret ingredient, an ebullient individual who sparkles like the headiest vintage champagne; a dazzler, as Toronto knows from the joy he brought to his 2008 production of The Sound of Music, where he made even the Alps revolve in a magical way.

He’s not just a director; he’s also equally at home as a writer, translator, orchestrator, lyricist and, well, overall wizard of musical theatre.

He leads a reporter down a choice patch of yellow brick road and sits down in the theatre balcony, bursting with wizardly delight as he shares his vision for the whole affair.

“I guess we can all blame Andrew, the cheeky monkey, since it was his idea. You see, the two big Christmas movies in England are The Sound of Music and The Wizard of Oz. Since we’d already brought one to the stage, I guess he thought if we did the other, we’d have Christmas cornered,” says Sams.

Nice idea, but The Sound of Music began life as a stage show. While there have been dozens of attempts to bring The Wizard of Oz to the stage over the decades, none has really worked.

“That’s because none of them really went the distance and changed it into an actual musical comedy,” insists Sams. “My brief from Andrew was to give it the shape and feel of a classical theatrical musical.

“You see, movies are their own art form. They’re always about moving somewhere, getting someplace. I guess that’s why there’s no such thing as a road play. Sure, you can go on journeys onstage, but you have to travel vertically as well as horizontally. Distance isn’t enough. You need depth, too.”

Listening to Sams talk about his Wizard 2.0, you know he’s addressed that issue.

“I believe that for the story to work, really work, we have to understand that everything is in Dorothy’s mind already, before she leaves Kansas. It’s like Alice in Wonderland: everything comes from her subconscious.

“The groundwork for everything we find in Oz has to be planted in Kansas. I know there’s a certain amount of that in the film, but we took it further. Miss Gulch has a run-in with a hose that plants the witch’s fear of water. Professor Marvel has a song about the wonders of the world that paints Oz for us pretty clearly.”

Sams goes on to explain how the three farmhands have a much richer relationship with Dorothy this time around.

“Let’s be honest,” he says with one of his ingenuous grins, “we’ve come such a long way from the movie. Nobody is trying to play Bert Lahr or Judy Garland. If you set out to simply do an imitation of what someone else did in an earlier art form, you’re just doomed to failure.

“And let’s not forget something. The part is called Dorothy Gale, not Judy Garland. It’s a real young girl, not some hyper-theatrical pop icon.”

Sams feels our relationship with Dorothy is what makes the whole experience rise or fall.

“It’s such a brilliantly structured central journey for her. She wants to leave home and then she wants to go back home. Each part of the story feeds the other. It combines our longing to want things to be different with our desire to keep them all exactly the same.”

Sams’ eyes twinkle as he recalls a story.

“I had a friend who felt something wasn’t right in his life, so he went off to an ashram in India to discover it. And you know what? He discovered he was gay. Well, Lord, surely he could have discovered that a lot more easily and done a lot more about it by just staying home in South London.

“Everything you wanted all along is right there inside you, because that’s all you’ve got. That’s what makes it so hard to depict Kansas properly. It’s got to be unpleasant enough to make Dorothy want to leave, but pleasant enough for her to want to come back home to.”

In that part of the storytelling, Sams says he’s been aided by Danielle Wade, who won the role of Dorothy in front of all of Canada on the CBC-TV show Over the Rainbow.

“She’s been an absolute revelation,” Sams says. “I knew she was good, but I didn’t know she was this good. She’s a totally instinctive actress and everything she does comes from a place of absolute honesty.”

What would Sams say to those still wondering if this stage version can rival the MGM classic they’d loved for ages?

“Look, it’s the same story, it’s the same journey. I hope you’ll see a successful movie turned into an even more successful stage musical.

“We want to show you that the theatre can do everything the movies can do . . . only better.”

They may not come in a big shiny box, and they might not be particularly fun to play with but a ticket to see The Wizard of Oz this Christmas would be the perfect gift for anyone!

Rehearsals in Toronto

Next stop, the Wizard!

Catch up with Dorothy (Danielle Wade), Toto (Ned), The Wicked Witch (Lisa Horner), Glinda (Robin Evan Willis), Lion (Lee MacDougall), Tin Man (Mike Jackson) and Scarecrow (Jamie McKnight) in this brand new footage from the rehearsal rooms in Toronto. And a Wizard of Oz rehearsal clip wouldn’t be complete without a few words from our wonderful choreographer Arlene Phillips!

Danielle Wade with Toto

With several productions of “The Wizard of Oz” already under her pink collar, it seems Tilley the Norfolk terrier doesn’t need to bone up on much as she reprises the role of Toto for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s upcoming Toronto production of the musical.

The nine-year-old wire-haired stage veteran (this is her fifth play) also has a leg up on some of her cast members in building a fanbase through her Facebook page (under Tilley Shevchenko).

And she’s found a solid support base in her Florida-based boyfriend.

“His name is Nugget and he’s her biggest fan,” Terry Shevchenko, Tilley’s owner and handler, said this week as Mirvish Productions gave members of the media a sneak preview of rehearsals for the show.

“He’s a Norfolk terrier, too. … They hang out every time we go to Florida.”

Tilley, who gives kisses when you blow on her ear, is one of three Norfolk terriers in the show that begins performances at the Ed Mirvish Theatre on Dec. 20.

The other two Totos are six-year-old twins Winnie and Neddy, who also belong to the London, Ont.-based Shevchenko.
“They are so much fun,” said Danielle Wade, who plays Dorothy. “They give me kisses all the time. They’re great. They really add a lot to the show.”

So much so that they’re licking their canine competition from the U.K. production, noted director Jeremy Sams.
“The ones in England were stubborn as mules and about as big as well. These guys are just charming and we’re doing things we’ve never done before,” he said with a laugh.

“Here’s a very good example: ‘Over the Rainbow,’ sung by Dorothy, we have Toto onstage with her. I would never dare do that in London — who knows what that big lump is going to do. But these dogs listen properly.”

Tilley is considered Toto No. 1 because she’s the most experienced in doing plays onstage, while Neddy is Toto No. 2 and Winnie is Toto No. 3.

The tan-coloured trio have been rehearsing with the all-Canadian cast in a studio for just over two weeks now and are digging it, said Shevchenko, noting there haven’t been any mishaps so far.

“We just love coming. The dogs enjoy it here, they just love it. Everybody’s so good to them.”

Shevchenko and his wife handle the dogs in all the rehearsals and will be in the theatre to work with them for every performance.

“I just enjoy it. My wife and I have always been patrons of the arts and we’ve been going to the Grand Theatre in London, (Ont.) for 30 years,” said Shevchenko, noting that’s where Tilley made her debut in “The Wizard of Oz” in 2009.

“You sit in the stands and you wonder how magic is made and then you go into the wings and you actually see how the magic is made — it’s pretty amazing.”

During Thursday’s sneak peek, Tilley put her best paw forward in several performances and sat perfectly poised during a slew of interviews. Winnie and Neddy were equally calm and collected.

Such behaviour comes as a result of agility training and treats.

Their favourite snack is chicken, which is what they get onstage for their cues.

“But they really don’t care,” said Shevchenko. “They just love food, period. They love Cheerios and they love their regular food. Their treats are apples, bananas and carrots. We try, with their treats, to go natural and they just love all three.”

Shevchenko trains the Totos to always keep an eye on the actors’ feet so they can follow them properly while doing the tricks they’re supposed to.

In rehearsals, he sometimes switches the dog from scene to scene and the cast members haven’t noticed any difference between them, said Sams.

“They are absolutely identical and equally reliable and brilliant, and they’re not like trick dogs. They don’t walk on their hind legs. They’re the school of realism, these dogs. These are proper method dogs.”

Yes, it’s true. It was an uphill battle all the way but after eight long weeks of hard work and bucket-fulls of determination, the emotional rollercoaster that was CBC’s Over The Rainbow has come to an end. This Monday we saw your three favourite Dorothy hopefuls Danielle Wade, Stephanie LaRochelle and AJ Bridel sweat it out in an epic final episode.

AJ, Danielle and Stephanie

It was a close call, but the public (that’s you!) had the final vote which resulted in 20 year old Danielle Wade from Ontario being presented with the coveted ruby slippers, jumping into a hot air balloon and riding over the rainbow and all the way to Oz.

Winner Danielle Wade

Sadly for the talented AJ and Stephanie, this is where their journey must end, but don’t be fooled for this it not by any means the last we have heard from them. Watch out world!

For Danielle however, the journey has barely even begun. She will enjoy a well earned week off to relax (although I imagine most of that will be spent talking to the press!) before joining the Tin Man, Lion and Scarecrow (and not forgetting the talented ensemble!) in rehearsals where we are really looking forward to working with her!

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Wizard of Oz will open at the Mirvish Theatre in Toronto, Canada on December 20, 2012.

​Buy tickets here »

“We are very grateful to the Ed Mirvish Theatre and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new production of THE WIZARD OF OZ for supporting SickKids.” says Paula Menzes, Director, Sponsorship and Cause Marketing at SickKids.  “Partnerships like this help to raise critical funds for the hospital and allow us to continue to provide world-leading care for our young patients and their families.”

Join others, and help build the Yellow Brick Road by contributing a brick. Dedicate your brick to a family member, a friend or even your pet dog. A suggestion donation of $20.00 CDN is requested with all proceeds in support of SickKids.  Go to wizardofoztoronto.com for details to donate online.

The Yellow Brick Road will be installed in the Yonge Street entrance of the Ed Mirvish Theatre (formerly the Canon Theatre) in December 2012.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new production of THE WIZARD OF OZ is an enchanting adaptation of the all-time classic, totally reconceived for the stage by the award-winning creative team that recently delighted Toronto audiences of all ages with the revival of The Sound of Music.

Developed from the ever popular MGM screenplay, this new production contains all the beloved songs from the Oscar^®-winning movie score, all the favourite characters and iconic moments, plus a few surprises along the way, including new songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Tickets to The Wizard of Oz available at here.

About SickKids Foundation

Established in 1972, SickKids Foundation raises funds on behalf of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and is the largest charitable funder of child health research, learning and care in Canada. Philanthropy is a critical source of funding for SickKids — one of the world’s foremost paediatric health-care institutions. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012, SickKids Foundation made an investment of $61.3 million in children’s health, a direct result of community and corporate support. For more information, please visit www.sickkidsfoundation.com.

North American Premiere begins December 20, 2012

It promises to be a dramatic, spectacular and emotional quest. A nation-wide search to take on one of the most iconic roles of all time – Dorothy, from The Wizard of Oz.

Watch and vote! Watch CBC’s OVER THE RAINBOW on Sunday and Monday nights and embark on a journey to help us find a girl to play the starring role in the Canadian production of The Wizard of Oz.

For more information, visit the official CBC website

The Top 20 Dorothy hopefuls will contend for a spot to be one of 10 finalists to compete in CBC Television’s OVER THE RAINBOW

June 26, 2012 – On the heels of the nation-wide audition tour in search of Dorothy, the Top 20 Dorothys for CBC Television’s OVER THE RAINBOW have been selected!

The Top 20 were chosen from the top competitors from across the country following the national OVER THE RAINBOW callback auditions, which took place in Toronto on Thursday, June 21st. Over the course of the summer, the Top 20 Dorothys will battle it out for the chance to capture one of 10 spots in CBC Television’s upcoming live competition series, OVER THE RAINBOW. The winner of the series will star in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Canadian production of The Wizard of Oz, opening at the Ed Mirvish Theatre in Toronto this December.

Canada’s Top 20 Dorothys are:

Malindi Ayienga, Etobicoke, ON
Michelle Bouey, Charlottetown, PEI
AJ Bridel, Kitchener, ON
Alessandra Cannito, Toronto, ON
Rebecca Codas, Toronto, ON
Sarah Forestieri, Nobleton, ON
Colleen Furlan, Winnipeg, MB
Julia Gartha, Unionville, ON
Jennifer Gillis, Coquitlam, B.C.
Cassandra Hodgins, London, ON
Stephanie La Rochelle, Ottawa, ON
Lia Luz, Scarborough, ON
Fiona McIntyre, Port Moody, BC
Jessie Munro, Toronto, ON
Tevra Plamondon, Red Deer, AB
Emily Robertson, Milford Station, NS
Christie Stewart, Vernon, BC
Michelle Thibodeau, Moncton, NB
Kelsey Verzotti, Calgary, AB
Danielle Wade, La Salle, ON

OVER THE RAINBOW is an exciting new live competition series coming this fall to CBC, produced by Temple Street Productions. Starting in September, host Daryn Jones will introduce the 10 finalists who will compete live on OVER THE RAINBOW Sunday nights on CBC Television, singing a mixture of Broadway and pop songs each week. Then, in half-hour results episodes on Monday nights, the bottom two Dorothys (as determined by an online public vote) will face-off and one participant will be saved from elimination by the judges. The competition will culminate in a showdown between the final three, with Lord Lloyd Webber himself in attendance, and Canada choosing the winner.

Join Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion for one final journey along the Yellow Brick Road to see The Wizard of Oz. Follow our Twitter and Facebook pages for competition prizes and special offers on tickets!

We are now able to offer a special discounted price to our website visitors -

50% off top price seats (i.e. £65 seats reduced to £32.50, including Resoration Levy)

Valid for Tuesday to Saturday evening and Saturday matinee performances through to July 28th.

Click on this exclusive ticketing link to book

Join Dorothy and Toto in Trafalgar Square this weekend

Our wonderful Dorothy, Sophie Evans will be bringing Toto along to join a host of West End stars performing at this weekend’s West End LIVE. Head down to Trafalgar Square at midday on Sunday 24th June to watch them perform songs from the Wizard of Oz.

West End LIVE showcases the quality and diversity of entertainment on offer in the heart of London, promoting the West End as an exciting venue for all the family – all live, all for free in the iconic setting of Trafalgar Square.

Featuring showcase performances from every West End musical, live bands and a wonderful array of interactive exhibits from many of London’s top museums, galleries and cultural institutions – West End LIVE is a unique event that has grown to become a hugely popular fixture in London’s entertainment calendar .

Where: Trafalgar Square
When: Saturday 23 – Sunday 24 June
Cost: Free Entry
Nearest Tube: Leicester Square/Charing Cross/Embankment

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL LINE UP

Over The Rainbow - Coming soon to CBC!

June 4, 2012 – Calling all furry four legged stars! Does your friendly, charismatic dog have what it takes to shine on CBC’s new live reality competition series, OVER THE RAINBOW? The nationwide auditions for Dorothy are underway and the search for Toto will be held in Toronto on June 9th at Woofstock, North America’s largest festival for dogs. Taking place in the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood, registration will be from 9:00 am to noon, followed by live auditions throughout the day.

OVER THE RAINBOW host Daryn Jones will be joined at Woofstock by the hilarious dog-loving duo, comedians Deb McGrath of Little Mosque on the Prairie and Colin Mochrie, star of the upcoming summer series, Trust Us With Your Life. The dynamic couple will be part of the judging panel that will help to select the 10 most lovable contenders, who will be featured weekly on Monday night results episodes of OVER THE RAINBOW. After weekly eliminations and a nationwide vote, the winning Toto will be adorned with the coveted red ruby collar and perform live on stage with the Dorothy finalists.

Saturday, June 9th
St. Lawrence Market Neighborhood, Toronto

TO ENTER:

1. Register your dog starting at 9am at the Woofstock Info Booth located on Church St. opposite the Flatiron Building. Registration closes at 12 noon. Carefully read the Toto Competition Rules and bring along a signed copy of the Toto Appearance Release Agreement and a government issued Photo ID.
2. Dogs will be seen throughout the day, with callbacks commencing at 3:00 pm.
3. Shortlisted dogs will be seen live on the stage from 4:00 pm at Berczy Park, with host Daryn Jones and our expert judging panel!

About Over the Rainbow

OVER THE RAINBOW is an exciting new live competition series coming this fall to CBC, produced by Temple Street Productions. The winner will star in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new production of The Wizard of Oz, opening at the Ed Mirvish Theatre in Toronto this December. Starting in September, host Daryn Jones will introduce the 10 finalists who will compete live on OVER THE RAINBOW Sunday nights on CBC Television, singing a mixture of Broadway and pop songs each week. Then, in half-hour results episodes on Monday nights, the bottom two Dorothys (as determined by an online public vote) will face-off and one participant will be saved from elimination by the judges. The competition will culminate in a showdown between the final three, with Lord Lloyd Webber himself in attendance, and Canada choosing the winner.

Russell Grant as The Wizard

This week is your very LAST CHANCE to see the one and only Russell Grant as The Wizard…

Having captured the public’s heart on the 2011 BBC series of Strictly Come Dancing, Britain’s best-loved astrologer joined the cast of The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium in February.

After a limited 12-week season, this weekend sees Russell wave goodbye to the yellow brick road, after playing his final performance as The Wizard on Sunday 20th May.

Join Russell and the rest of the Oz cast at the London Palladium this week – click here to get your tickets.

Please note, Russell will not be appearing on the following dates: Wednesday 16th May (evening performance), Thursday 17th May, Friday 18th May.

Des O’Connor will play the role of The Wizard from 22nd May 2012.

The Wizard of Oz opened at the London Palladium in February 2011. Get your tickets to see the show here.

Photo credit: Richard Jones.

DES O’CONNOR IS…..THE WIZARD!

Des O'Connor as The Wizard

Following a staggering 1,200+ solo appearances at the London Palladium, DES O’CONNOR is set to star at the world renowned venue for the very first time in a stage musical.

Star of stage, screen, and music, Des was awarded the CBE in 2008 for his services to entertainment and broadcasting and is widely regarded as one of the UK’s best loved and most respected stars.

FROM TUESDAY 22 MAY FOR THE SHOW’S FINAL SEASON…

He will take over the iconic role of THE WIZARD in ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER’s reimagining of THE WIZARD OF OZ, presented by Bill Kenwright and The Really Useful Group, from TUESDAY 22 MAY and play the show’s final season.

Since Des’ first TV appearance in 1963 he has starred in his own shows for over 45 years – longer than anyone else anywhere in the world. His most recent titles include the Des O’Connor Tonight Specials, the award-winning ITV talk show Today with Des and Mel and his interview last year on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories, which was the highest-rated of the series. He has just enjoyed a special 80th birthday TV show on ITV, a celebration enjoyed by millions.

He is also a hugely successful music and recording artist, having produced no less than 36 albums, selling over 16 million copies to date, and spending a staggering 117 weeks in the top ten of the charts. On stage, Des has appeared at the MGM Grand Las Vegas, The Sydney Opera House and over 1,000 times at the London Palladium, with his starring role in Oz returning him to a theatre with which he is synonymous.

Des will star alongside SOPHIE EVANS, runner up in BBC’s ‘Over the Rainbow’, who despite just missing out on the top spot, charmed the millions who tuned in to watch her, ensuring they would never forget the red-headed girl from Wales. And in addition to the eponymous role, Des will also play the character of Professor Marvel, for whom a new song has been specially written, ‘The Wonders of the World’. This is one of several brand new songs by ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER and TIM RICE.

Alongside Des and Sophie are EDWARD BAKER-DULY (Tin Man), MARTIN CALLAGHAN (Lion), PAUL KEATING (Scarecrow), EMILY TIERNEY (Glinda) and MARIANNE BENEDICT (The Wicked Witch of the West).

The Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum is directed by Jeremy Sams, choreographed by Arlene Phillips, music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E Y Harburg, with additional music and lyrics by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, set and costumes designs by Robert Jones, and produced by Bill Kenwright and The Really Useful Group.

Tickets are available from The London Palladium Box Office on 0844 412 2957 or online here.

Just two weeks ago, The Wizard of Oz won two awards in the Whatsonstage.com Theatregoer’s Choice Awards,  including a win in the Best Musical Revival category.

The Laurence Olivier Awards are the most prestigious awards in London’s Theatreland, having been a mark of theatrical greatness since they were inaugurated in 1976 as the Society of West End Theatre Awards (now called the Laurence Olivier Awards in honour of the theatrical legend.)

Today’s nominations were revealed by 2011 Olivier winners Nancy Carroll and Roger Allam in an event that was streamed live via the Olivier Awards website. The winners will be announced at the official Awards ceremony, held at the Royal Opera House on 15th April. Theatregoers can also watch the ceremony live on the BBC Red Button, listen to coverage of the Awards on BBC Radio 2, or attend the Covent Garden Piazza event where the public can enjoy performances from some of London favourite shows and watch all the action unfold live on a big screen relay.

Visit the Olivier Awards website for more, including the full list of 2012 nominees and the latest information on how you can watch the awards ceremony on 15th April.

To get your tickets to see Sophie and Russell in action, click here.

Our three teams of children play the munchkins on rotation throughout the week – and here they all are!

Pin It

Bill Kenwright accepts the Best Musical Revival Award. Photo: Dan Wooller.

Last night, Sunday 19th February, at a glittering awards ceremony in London’s West End, The Wizard of Oz was voted Best Musical Revival in the Whatsonstage.com 2012 Awards.

Our former Wicked Witch Hannah Waddingham also scooped the Best Supporting Actress in a Musical prize before performing ‘Red Shoes Blues’ onstage at the Awards concert, held at The Prince of Wales Theatre.

The Whatsonstage.com Awards – hosted this year by former winner Sheridan Smith and comedians Alan Davies and Jenny Eclair – are the only major prize-giving event for the theatre industry voted for purely by the ticket-buying public and this year a record 70,000 people took part in the voting process.

Click here for the full list of winners.

In our latest video blog Martin fills us in on his background and how rehearsals are going…

Click here to get your tickets to see Martin and the rest of the new Wizard of Oz cast in action.

The new cast members take to the stage next week, joining our continuing Oz cast from Tuesday 7th February. Get your tickets to see them in action by clicking here – and watch out for more video clips featuring our wonderful Wizard of Oz cast!

‘Strictly’ star takes to the stage of the London Palladium

RUSSELL GRANT is to star as The Wizard in ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER’s new production of THE WIZARD OF OZ.

Russell made his name as Britain’s best-loved astrologer and is now adored by the nation after starring in the 2011 series of Strictly Come Dancing. He takes over the eponymous role from Michael Crawford from Tuesday 14 February for a limited 12-week season.

Having captured the public’s heart on the BBC hit Saturday night show, Russell will be working with Arlene Phillips, the show’s choreographer, to bring the new dance moves he’s learned to the stage of the London Palladium!

Russell will star alongside SOPHIE EVANS, runner up in BBC’s Over the Rainbow, who despite just missing out on the top spot, charmed the millions who tuned in to watch her, ensuring they would never forget the red-headed girl from Wales.

Russell began his career as an actor, before gaining national recognition as Britain’s favourite TV astrologer, regularly appearing on UK television throughout the 1980′s and 90’s. But it was as dance partner to Flavia Cacace in last year’s BBC smash hit dance show Strictly Come Dancing that catapulted him back to national fame.

Russell said of his new role: “I am thrilled to be back where I’m at my happiest – in showbiz! I want to thank the great British public for their kindness in supporting me in Strictly: without them, I wouldn’t be back in the West End again”.

In addition to the eponymous role, Russell will also play the character of Professor Marvel, for whom a new song has been specially written, The Wonders of the World. This is one of several brand new songs by ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER and TIM RICE.

Alongside Russell and Sophie are EDWARD BAKER-DULY (Tin Man), MARTIN CALLAGHAN (Lion), PAUL KEATING (Scarecrow), EMILY TIERNEY (Glinda) and MARIANNE BENEDICT (The Wicked Witch of the West).

The Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum is directed by Jeremy Sams, choreographed by Arlene Phillips, music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E Y Harburg, with additional music and lyrics by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, set and costumes designs by Robert Jones, and produced by Bill Kenwright and the Really Useful Group.

Tickets are available from The London Palladium Box Office on 0844 412 2957 or by clicking here.

Take a look at our video clip below to see how Andrew, Bill and The Wizard of Oz cast and audience helped Michael celebrate.

Don’t forget, there’s not long left to see Michael as The Wizard, as he and Danielle Hope (Dorothy) leave the London Palladium in a couple of weeks – click here for more information.

Our wonderful Wizard of Oz stars take their final bow on Sunday 5th February, paving the way for Sophie Evans to take over as Dorothy.  We can’t tell you yet who our new Wizard will be as the announcement is STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL, but look out for news very soon…

So don’t miss your chance to wish them well before they move on to pastures new.  Book your tickets to see Danielle and Michael NOW by clicking here.

Last Christmas they gave it away; who will end up with the Tin Man’s heart this year?

Danielle Hope (Dorothy) was on holiday during the filming of this clip, but she sends seasonal greetings to you all!

Never Work With Animals or Children?

They say you should never work with animals or children. Well, here in the Land of Oz we have with both, though thankfully the chickens I heard early mention of for the opening scene in Kansas never did materialize!

Our four Totos are, for me, totally delightful, each in their own way and I have by now got to know them as individual little characters, each with their own distinct and definite personality. They even have suitably showbiz names. We have Razzle, Dazzle, Topper and Bobby.

Without wanting to show favouritism, I must say I have a soft spot for little Razzle. He is an alert and clever fellow, obedient and eager, with a tendency to gently nuzzle those who take a few minutes out of their day to pet his downy white head. I remember once watching him onstage before the show with his trainer. She quietly stood as he went through his entire repertoire of tricks until he realized that what was actually required of him to win his treat was to lie perfectly still. As I said, clever!

Dazzle, the only lady of the group, is suitably pretty on her paws, prances rather than walks, and loves to join in with the vocals. Being a busy soul, she likes to be included and has been known, mid-scene, to pop a little something into the mix, though she will do anything, even remain totally silent, for a small scrap of butchers best sausage!

Topper is a little less ‘busy’ but is by no means stupid; if he thinks you’re fooling him with the offer of a false treat, you’ve had your chips. He will carefully eye up Dorothy to see if she actually has the treat before committing to anything. He has a laid-back way about him, unfussy, which really does have its charm and he somehow manages to look ‘old-fashioned’. I think it’s the shape of his beard hair. He looks like an Edwardian gentleman with a long moustache.

And then there’s Bobby. The veteran of the group who is slightly less light on his feet than the others but is incredibly intelligent. He was the star of our rehearsal and tech period. Reliable and bomb proof, Bobby was in it with us, work-shopping all the niggles out of his part as we did the same with ours.

Then we have our wonderful children, our munchkin kids, each with their own rainbow bright personality and unique talent. Those who know the kids or work with them directly will know what an asset they are to our show and our working environment. After all, this is a family show; it seems right and fitting that we have children at the heart of one of the most famous and magical sequences. Their delight at being on stage every night is infectious and reminds us all what a joy it is to perform and just how very lucky we are to be doing something we love.  It’s nice to be reminded. It is easy to get bogged down in the day to day running of things and the children really do pull you out of yourself and keep you on your toes.

So perhaps rather than ‘never work with animals or children’ we should rather say, “Go out and work with animals and children!”  Their lack of complication is disarming and, totally true to who they are, with so few inhibitions, they can perhaps teach us a thing or two and bring out the best rather than the worst in us.

You can vote in the Whatsontage.com awards by clicking here. THANK YOU for your Wizard of Oz nominations!

The Wizard of Oz

Tens of thousands of theatre fans and professionals have been voting for their favourite West End shows and UK productions on the BroadwayWorld UK website over the past few weeks, with Wizard of Oz among the Awards’ big winners.

Our five wins include the Best Musical award, tied with Rock of Ages, and awards for our Wizard (Michael Crawford) and Dorothy (Danielle Hope.) Our choreographer Arlene Phillips and orchestrator David Cullen also won in their categories. See below for the full list of Wizard awards, and click here for all the winners.

• Best Choreography – Arlene Phillips for The Wizard of Oz
• Best Featured Actor in a Musical – Michael Crawford for The Wizard of Oz
• Best Leading Actress in a Musical – Danielle Hope for The Wizard of Oz
• Best Musical – The Wizard of Oz, tied with Rock of Ages
• Best Orchestrations – David Cullen for The Wizard of Oz

Today’s announcement follows last Friday’s Whatsonstage.com Awards launch, where The Wizard of Oz gained four nominations. Voting in the Whatsonstage.com Awards is now open. Click here for more information on the Whatsonstage.com nominations.

During the past few weeks, more than 10,000 theatregoers have been busy nominating their favourite productions. The shortlist was announced 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!

In the week leading up to their Children in Need performance, The Wizard of Oz cast were also busy collecting at the London Palladium and, together with a generous donation from our Wizard Michael Crawford’s charity, the total amount raised was £10,000. Thank you to all those who donated!

CLICK HERE and scroll to 10.57 to watch The Wizard of Oz’s Children in Need performance on BBC iPlayer – and check out our exclusive video of the cast as they geared up for their performance on Friday at BBC’s Television Studios below. Our munchkins were off to an early start, while Company Manager Roger took the cast on a very special coach trip to the TV Studios, where they were in for a day of rehearsals and costume changes – as well as a bit of food and a munchkin meeting with musician Ed Sheeran…

Watch the video below to see choreographer Arlene Phillips and members of the Wizard of Oz cast including Michael Crawford, Danielle Hope, Emily Tierney, Edward Baker-Duly and Paul Keating rehearse a medley of songs from the show. The Wizard of Oz cast will be opening the first Children in Need broadcast from 7.30pm this Friday 18th November before returning to the London Palladium for an 8pm start to the show.

Click here for more information on Children in Need.

Get your tickets to see the show for yourself here.

Watch part one of our interview with Marianne here, and get your tickets to see her in action here.

Get your tickets to see Marianne in action here.

Information on the latest audio-described performances of The Wizard of Oz will be updated on the tickets page.

Get your tickets to see the show – and to hear the orchestra in action – by clicking here.

The Wizard of Oz

The annual BroadwayWorld UK Awards gives theatregoers the chance to nominate and then vote for their favourite West End productions and performers and – after nominations opened in September – now is the time for Wizard of Oz fans to vote for the show. Our nominations in full are:

Best Musical
Best Direction of a Musical – Jeremy Sams
Best Leading Actress in a Musical – Danielle Hope
Best Featured Actor in a Musical – Michael Crawford
Best Featured Actor in a Musical – Paul Keating
Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Hannah Waddingham
Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Emily Tierney
Best Choreography  – Arlene Phillips
Best Costume Design - Rob Jones
Best Orchestrations - David Cullen
Best Scenic Design – Rob Jones
Theatrical Venue of the Year – London Palladium

To see the full list of nominations and to cast your vote, visit the BroadwayWorld website here.

To see our munchkins in action and get your tickets to see The Wizard of Oz, click here.

To buy tickets for The Wizard of Oz, click here.

Our new munchkins are now onstage at the London Palladium, with the three groups of children (the Blue, Yellow and Orange Teams) playing the munchkins on rotation throughout the week. Get your tickets to see them and the rest of the cast here.