Blog: We're Off to See the Wizard

There are few movies and musicals that evoke as many nostalgic childhood memories as "The Wizard of Oz". When I was growing up, before cable, TiVo, videos and DVD players we used to watch family movies on network television when they were actually broadcast with commercials and all. Once a year my family would look forward to watching the annual showing of "The Wizard of Oz".

It was always a day of excitement when homework and chores would be completed in anticipation. We would sit around as a family with popcorn and beverages prepared ahead of time - even before microwaves, when popcorn was actually popped on the stovetop - to enjoy the show at our fullest attention.

These days with technology abound it is common to TiVo or record a movie ahead of time to watch at a later date. It is the norm to have multiple things going on while watching such as looking at a smartphone and pausing the TV with the remote to make popcorn or take a restroom break. There are an overwhelming number of movies to watch and many of this generation have never even seen the original classical movies including "The Wizard of Oz" on television or the big screen.

In Dec. 2001, Dover-based Open Fields Community Theater’s premiere show was "The Wizard of Oz" and bringing this to the D-S stage evoked a sense of nostalgia for all involved with this production under the direction of Keith Greenfield.

The magic of this show with its brilliant costumes and sets helped launch the start of this now successful children's based theater group. It’s hard to believe that my children who were the Munchkins and the younger set back then are now almost all adults. A lot can happen in ten years and many of the memories growing up were started with this production, as this was the first time all three of my children were onstage together as Munchkins and Ozians. The line "there’s no place like home" has many more meanings as our kids are off to college or their professional lives.

To celebrate ten years of Open Fields history, the magic of the show is coming back to D-S on Jan. 20, 21, 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. with matinee shows on Sat. Jan. 21 and 28 at 2:00 p.m. at the Lindquist Commons.

Many of the current cast and in particular the Munchkins were not yet even born during the last run of the show. Thus the show will be performed to a new generation of children while bringing the magic of our first main stage show back for us older folks. There will be some old faces including our original Wizard, Gerry Arnold and many new faces.

Unique to Open Fields is the opportunity to see many families perform together in a musical such as this.

I am excited to see the new cast and will reflect upon the wonderful family experience we had when it was first brought to the D-S stage.

The show culminates after months of hard work and is something not to be missed. When people ask you what you are doing on the weekends of Jan. 20th and 27th be sure take a left on Farm Street from Dover Center and follow "the yellow brick road" as you won't want to take a wrong turn and miss your opportunity to enter the great Land of Oz.

Tickets are reserved and should be ordered early as they are going quickly. To order tickets please go to the Open Fields website to reserve your seats.