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I posted to wizardofozlondon.co.uk

Wizard of Oz Reviews

http://wizardofozlondon.co.uk/326/wizard-of-oz-reviews/

Of course it’s wrong to review a new show like The Wizard of Oz while it’s still in previews, because the performance you see in previews is not the same as the final Wizard of Oz musical after the press night or opening. Nevertheless, hundreds of people have been to see the show already and we will be curious to find out from them what they thought of it, and the performances of Danielle Hope, Michael Crawford and the rest of the cast. Here are some excerpts from pre-opening reviews: Jenna Sloan The Sun: The Wizard Of Oz doesn’t officially open until March 1 but The Sun attended a special preview last night. It was the first time the show has been open to the public – and it was truly spectacular. Witches sparkled and cackled, dropping in from the ceiling and rising from the floor. The yellow brick road dips and twists like a waltzer, and fire, smoke and steam effects create a dazzling atmosphere on stage. The majestic choreography is masterminded by former Strictly judge Arlene Phillips. Kids may find the Wizard – played by West End legend Michael Crawford – a bit scary, but everyone will be terrified by the demonic flying monkeys. The London Palladium has had a £4million overhaul to make it a suitable home for the high-profile show – and it was money well spent. The incredible collapse of Dorothy’s home in the tornado is almost cinematic, as computer graphics make the winds whirl as the house spins into space. And Danielle’s performance is as impressive as the stage show. Her rendition of Over The Rainbow made the spine tingle and earned her rapturous applause from the sell-out crowd. Her Kansas accent remained strong, and at the end of her faultless performance she received a well-deserved standing ovation. Danielle, from Urmston, Gtr Manchester, beat more than 9,000 hopefuls to land the part, with Lloyd Webber saying she “acts from the soul”. She knows she has huge ruby slippers to fill, reprising the role made famous by Judy Garland in the 1939 movie classic. But judging by last night’s performance, Danielle will ensure the Lord has yet another smash on his hands.
- Tags:
- palladium
- wizard of oz
- cast
- judy garland
- Over the Rainbow
- Danielle Hope
- The WIzard of Oz
- Michael Crawford
February 9 2011, 8:51am | Comments »
I posted to wizardofozlondon.co.uk

Over The Rainbow Charity Single with Winning Dorothy

http://wizardofozlondon.co.uk/132/overtherainbow-charitysingle-winningdorothy/

On Saturday 22nd May, the winning Dorothy will be finally chosen by Over The Rainbow viewers, and now it has been announced that the lucky Dorothy, as well as going on to play the part in The Wizard of Oz when it opens in London next April, will also get to release a single of the iconic ‘Over The Rainbow’ song, as first sung by Judy Garland in the 1939 film.

Wizard of oz

The charity single will be rushed out as a download available from midnight on Sunday 23rd May and all profits net of agreed expenses will be split fifty-fifty between two favoured charities of the TV show’s producers, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber and the BBC: Prostate UK and The BBC Performing Arts Fund. But the big question remains, whose voice will be singing “Over The Rainbow” on the charity single – will it be Lauren, Sophie or Danielle?
- Tags:
- Andrew Lloyd Webber
- wizard of oz
- Dorothy
- judy garland
- Over the Rainbow
- Charity Single
- download
- single
- song
May 20 2010, 1:26pm | Comments »
I posted to wizardofozlondon.co.uk

Friday Over The Rainbow – The search for Dorothy Begins

http://wizardofozlondon.co.uk/26/friday-over-the-rainbow-the-search-for-dorothy-begins/

Over The Rainbow Begins on Friday! The long awaited casting show “Over The Rainbow” actually begins on BBC 1 this Friday, March 26th 2010. So if you enjoyed following the previous casting shows “How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?”, “Any Dream Will Do” and “I’d Do Anything” then Andrew Lloyd Webber’s latest is not to be missed. Lord Lloyd Webber teams up once again with the same TV host Graham Norton in search of the best Dorothy to star in the upcoming Wizard of Oz London stage musical. Over The Rainbow Judges Talented hopefuls, bursting to wear Judy Garland’s famous red shoes on the West End stage will battle it out to impress the Over The Rainbow judges, who have been confirmed as follows:

Cardiff’s favourite Singer Charlotte Church EastEnders stars John Partridge Legendary actress Sheila Hancock, from Sister Act Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber himself.

Over the Rainbow Judges
March 22 2010, 7:58am | Comments »
I posted to theatrebreaks.co

Wizard of Oz London

http://theatrebreaks.co/109/wizard-of-oz-london/

The Wizard of Oz, one of the most well known musicals ever because of the famous MGM film starring Judy Garland, is coming to London in 2010. Yes, our old friends the Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow will be following the yellow brick with a Dorothy chosen by another TV casting show called “Over The Rainbow” or possibly also “The Wizard of Oz” depending who you believe. The Wizard of Oz London
- Tags:
- London
- Musicals
- wizard of oz
- lion
- Dorothy
- judy garland
- Scarecrow
- tin man
December 12 2009, 2:28pm | Comments »
I posted to wizardofozlondon.co.uk

The Wizard of Oz is coming to London

http://wizardofozlondon.co.uk/5/the-wizard-of-oz-is-coming-to-london/

The Wizard of Oz in London The Wizard of Oz musical is due to open in London sometime in 2010, based on the original classic MGM film from 1939, starring Judy Garland.

Yes, The Wizard of Oz is coming to London and the person to play part of Dorothy will be chosen by another reality TV style competition with Andrew Lloyd Webber and the TV audience making the final decision. The Wizard of Oz is a famously familiar story with most people believing they have read the original book although this is probably because they saw the MGM Film with Judy Garland singing “Over the Rainbow” but it speaks directly to people of all ages either as a childlike fairy story or else as some kind of parable for the American dream. Who hasn’t realised they made some silly mistake and remarked ” If I only had a brain” quoting directly from one of the most popular songs in the film. The film is a musical film so stage versions have often been produced and performed at all levels from schools to amateur dramatics right up to full blown professional big time Broadway and West End shows. This time it’s guaranteed to be a huge spectacular in London because the production company behind it is none other than Andrew Lloyd Webber’s with massive successes like The Phantom of The Opera, Cats, and Joseph to their name along with the anticpated Love Never Dies Phantom continuation which launches next March. Over The Rainbow The other factor ramping up the likely popularity of the Wizard of Oz in London will be the TV show which is planned to cast Dorothy. Following on the tradition now established by previous TV contests we know this will bring new audiences and added interest particularly during the vital first few months of the stage show in the West End. Whilst “Big Brother” may have reached the end of its useful life the great British public is showing no sign of getting fed up with celebrity talent competitions such as Strictly Come Dancing” and these casting shows like “Over The Rainbow” Jodie Prenger is still going strong in Oliver after winning the part of Nancy in I’d Do Anything last year. Lee Mead has gome on to other great things after winning teh part of Joseph in “Any Dream Will Do” and the other show was to find a Maria for The Sound of Music. The Tin Man the lion and the scarecrow will be accompanying Dorothy along the yellow brick road some time in 2010 at an as yet unspecified theatre in London’s West End and I know that I for one cannot wait to see it!
- Tags:
- London
- west end
- Phantom of the Opera
- Andrew Lloyd Webber
- wizard of oz
- judy garland
- big brother
November 18 2009, 6:29am | Comments »