Stage Door News
Toronto: Mayor Olivia Chow unveiled as the Wizard in the Canadian Stage’s “The Wizard of Oz”
Friday, December 6, 2024
With the holiday season in now in full swing, Canadian Stage is thrilled to reveal today that the mysterious ‘Wizard of TorOZTo’ in their production of THE WIZARD OF OZ: THE TOTO-LY AWESOME FAMILY MUSICAL beginning performances tonight, is played by none other than Toronto’s own Mayor Olivia Chow, in a pre-filmed cameo appearance.
When Canadian Stage began dreaming up their pantomime take on The Wizard of Oz with playwright Matt Murray and director Ted Dykstra, they knew that they wanted to make 'Oz' as Toronto as possible and make the production a love letter to the city— weaving its neighborhoods, landmarks, and vibrancy right into the show.
“When it came time to cast the Wizard there was no debate,” offers Canadian Stage Artistic Director Brendan Healy. “We all agreed that Mayor Olivia Chow was the perfect choice. Not only is she our city's Mayor, but she’s also a lifelong champion of the arts and culture’s vital role in building thriving cities and communities. In her first year as Mayor, she's already advanced Toronto's new culture plan, underscoring her commitment to making Toronto a cultural trailblazer.
Healy continues, “We approached Mayor Chow last spring, and to our absolute delight she was enthusiastically on board. This fall, we brought our production team to City Hall to film the cameo in her office. With hair, makeup, and costume teams in tow, the Mayor was game for everything, bringing her signature playfulness and energy to the role. Let’s just say, she might be the most glamorous Wizard of Oz to ever grace stage or screen!”
After longtime Panto producer Ross Petty, who led the annual holiday pantomime at the Elgin Winter Garden Theatre centre for 25 years before announcing his retirement in 2022, Canadian Stage proudly stepped up to lead the next chapter of larger-than-life holiday pantomimes.
This first pantomime under their leadership, is an all-out irreverent twist on the timeless tale of The Wizard of Oz created specifically to celebrate the city. Audiences of all ages will join Dorothy and her friends on a hilarious romp through the fantastical landscapes of TorOZto. Along the way, they’ll see fantastical sets, spectacular costumes, and enjoy some very silly parodies of hit songs by Beyonce, Billie Eilish and more! Get ready to cheer on Team Dorothy as Plumbum, the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow help to defeat the Wicked Witch of the West (End) and find their way to the CN Power to discover the identity of the Wizard of TorOzto! Hint: she loves a bike lane!
A mainstay of the Panto and the Stratford Festival, Dan Chameroy returns to play his beloved character Plumbum alongside another Panto favourite, Eddie Glen, as The Scarecrow, and multi-Dora winner Vanessa Sears as the Wicked Witch of the West. Julio Pulo steps into Dorothy’s Ruby Blundstones after her star turn as Anne Boleyn in the Toronto production of Six. Chameroy, Glen, and Sears are joined by an eclectic cast of musical talents including Saphire Demitro, Jordan Bell, Andrew Broderick, Jonathan Cullen, Sierra Holder and Kirstyn Russelle. Coal Mine Theatre co-founder and another long-time member of the Panto family, Ted Dysktra, directs and the script comes from six-time Panto scribe Matt Murray.
Ross Petty first launched the Toronto Panto in 1996 with a production of Robin Hood in which he starred alongside his wife, the illustrious global ballet star Karen Kain. Petty produced the raucously over-the-top show every year following - even offering virtual editions in 2020 and 2021 – turning it into a must-see Toronto holiday season tradition in the years to come. The Panto as produced by Ross Petty Productions returned live in 2022 with Peter Pan: The Final Flight and now the campy Panto baton has been passed to Canadian Stage to continue, as a new annual feature of their seasons.
Joining Dykstra on the OZ creative team are Set Designer Michael Gianfrancesco, Costume Designer Ming Wong, Lighting Designer Bonnie Beecher, Sound Designer Brian Kenny, Projection Designer Cameron Fraser, and Choreographer Jennifer Mote.
THE WIZARD OF OZ: THE TOTO-LY AWESOME FAMILY MUSICAL is on stage at the historic Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre December 6th – January 5th with tickets beginning at $64. For tickets and additional information visit www.canadianstage.com.