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The Winner of Oz
Compete for the role of Dorothy in WiZaRD
Photo: Warner Bros.
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Earlier today, we wrote about the opportunity to appear on 30 Rock, if the posting was in fact real. Still waiting to hear back on that. We also noticed another more legitimate casting call with a much bigger opportunity: the role of Dorothy in WiZaRD, a musical opening in December.
Beginning July 31 in Glendale, California and ending September 3 at the South Street Seaport in NYC, contestants (it doesn’t specifically say “girls,” just “contestants,” so Nick Pitera still has a chance) between the ages of 16-21 can prove that they’re more Judy Garland than Dorothy Dwan in the “Be the Next Dorothy” contest for WiZaRD, a musical tribute to Oz and composer Harold Arlen. It’s set to open at Jazz at Lincoln Center in December.
According to the play’s website, “WiZaRD is a musical centered on the worlds of Wizard of Oz composer Harold Arlen. The show unfolds in the mythical radio studios of WZRD. Wendell Owens, WiZaRD’s host of the radio show “Absolutely Arlen,” weaves stories through production numbers with the help of WZRD’s in-house radio players. Audiences are taken on a journey from the golden age of Hollywood, to the Broadway stage, through the cotton club years… and to the land of Oz!”
Arlen is the great composer behind such songs as “Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea,” “I’ve Got the World on a String” and all of the songs from The Wizard of Oz, including “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
Here are the try-out dates and locations:
July 31-August 1
Glendale, California
Glendale Galleria
August 2, 3
Las Vegas, Nevada
Fashion Show Mall
August 5, 6
Denver, Colorado
Park Meadows Mall
August 11, 12
Dallas, Texas
Stonebriar Center
August 14, 15
Chicago, Illinois
Northbrook Court
August 17, 18
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis Galleria
August 23, 24
Jacksonville, FLA
Regency Square
August 25, 26
Atlanta, Georgia
Northpoint Mall
August 28, 29
Boston, Massachusetts
Natick Collection
August 30, 31
Paramus, New Jersey
Paramus Mall
September 1-3
New York, New York
South Street Seaport
At the initial audition, contestants will be asked to sing a song of their choosing a capella. If the performance is deemed worthy enough, they’ll be called in for a second audition and they “should be prepared to ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ or any other song from The Wizard of Oz or any Harold Arlen song of their choice.” Might we suggest “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive”?
Contestants will be judged in three categories: voice, stage presentation and overall entertainment value. On September 2, three remaining Dorothy hopefuls will be flown to NYC for a live finale, with the performances then posted online. For 18 hours following, people can vote on who they like the best. Soon after, we’ll have our next Dorothy.
We would love to hear from anyone who’s planning to try! For more information, click here.