Kamloops welcomes The Wizard of Oz production starting May 12

KAMLOOPS — Western Canada Theatre (WCT) is once again hosting its production of the Wizard of Oz right here in Kamloops.

Starting on Thursday (May 12), the show will be put on at the Sagebrush Theatre and runs until May 28.

Putting the finishing touches on the set before their first performance and after two years without a show, Artistic Director James MacDonald says magic will be in the air on opening night.

“I know it’s kind of ironic that we’ve been at home for a couple of years but to do a show where the theme is there’s no place like home in a really valuing community, it seemed like a perfect time to really be able to say, ‘Well, we do want to go elsewhere, we want to go elsewhere in our minds, we want to go elsewhere physically.’ But what it really comes down to is that this community is an amazing place to be and this show is a great reminder of it.”

The Sagebrush Theatre holds nearly 700 visitors and more than 40 crew members have worked on the set for weeks.

From Toto to the youth cast members, MacDonald says the production will showcase its local talent to the community.

“I always think theatre is a miracle and anytime we can get together in the community is a miracle and honestly doing it under these circumstances and doing a show like this and having so many people involved it’s really spectacular and for me personally it’s just great.”

“You know there’s a lot of kids in the show there’s a lot of local people in the show and it’s such a fun fairytale for adults and it’s a beautiful show to be working on right now,” adds MacDonald.

Those looking to follow the yellow brick road to Oz can do so with opening night at 7:30 on Thursday evening.

Additional information on the show can be found at Western Canada Theatre.