International Wizard of Oz Club

Journey to Oz at Kansas City's Crown Center
2024-02-10 08:00 - 2024-05-05 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Crown Center, 2405 Grand Blvd. Ste 200, Kansas City, MO, 64108, United States
Drop into Munchkinland, then follow Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion down the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City. Don’t miss the Wicked Witch’s castle! What’s more fun for kids than playing in Oz? Bring the family to this FREE exhibit on the lower level Showplace of Crown Center.
Open Monday – Saturday, 10am to 6pm; Sunday, Noon to 5pm. Closed March 31 and Easter Sunday.

Oz arrives in Bucharest as immersive art experience
2024-02-20 08:00 - 2024-08-20 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Museum of Immersive New Art, Strada George Constantinescu 2-4, București, Romania
Bucharest’s Museum of Immersive New Art – MINA new show, The Wizard of Oz Immersive, is a different reinterpretation of the classic story through 360 video projections on the walls, including the ceiling and floor.
The 30-minute show, created by digital art studio The Illusionists, combines state-of-the-art technology, animation, and storytelling. Alexei Turcan selected and recorded the voices.
The Wizard of OZ Immersive will be on show at MINA for six months beginning February 20. Tickets can be purchased online on the museum’s website.
MINA is the first immersive space in Romania and the largest new media art center in Southeast Europe. It opened last year in a building that once housed the first Romanian computer factory in northern Bucharest.

New Mexico Ballet offers The Wizard of Oz
2024-04-06 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Popejoy Hall, 203 Cornell Dr., Albuquerque, NM, 87131, United States
The New Mexico Ballet Company joins the New Mexico Philharmonic for a colorful, fully staged production of L. Frank Baum’s cherished story of Dorothy’s journey to the Emerald City! Follow the yellow brick road as she encounters amazing characters—and finds that quick wits, compassion, courage—and just a touch of magic—are inside of us all. Join us for a wondrous night of enchanting music and dance!
Ticket are priced from $35-90.

The Wizard of Oz Balloon Adventure
2024-04-11 - 2024-04-21 | Boat Showroom, 1 Liechty Drive, Williams Bay, WI, 53191, United States
Calling all adventurers! Immerse yourself in a world of over 100,000 balloons, capture whimsical photos, and enjoy special guest appearances on weekends! The enchanting world of Oz awaits in the Boat Showroom at PIER 290 in Williams Bay, Wisconsin, for the 2024 Balloon Adventure!
Choose your ticket and embark on an enchanting adventure! In addition to general admission, special events have been planned including Wicked Night Out for adults, Moms & Munckins, and more.
Tickets range from $10-30. See website for specific event dates and times.

Venturing down the Yellow Brick Road in Burlington, Vermont
2024-04-11 08:00 - 2024-04-14 17:00 (America/Chicago) | The Flynn, 153 Main Street,, Burlington, VT, 05401, United States
A legendary American story returns to The Flynn Main Stage to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Lyric Theatre Company. The classic novel by L. Frank Baum comes to life with iconic music from the MGM film and all the characters we have fallen in love with over the years. Come with us down the yellow brick road and experience why there really is “no place like home”.
Experience The Wizard of Oz like you never have before! With stunning sets, lavish costumes, and spectacle worthy of the Wizard himself. Lyric Theatre will transport you and your family over the rainbow for a magical experience, unlike any other.

Tickets are $20-49.

The Wizard of Oz Performed by Bartlesville Civic Ballet
2024-04-20 08:00 - 2024-04-21 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Bartlesville Community Center, 300 SE Adams Blvd, Bartlesville, OK, 74003, United States
Join the Bartlesville Civic Ballet for an enchanting evening with the beloved characters and iconic moments from L. Frank Baum’s classic story. Under the creative direction of choreographer Joy Delaney Capponi, and featuring the remarkable Daniel Baudendistel as Oz, with stunning costumes, enchanting music, and a talented cast.

Wizard of Oz on stage in Rome
2024-04-22 - 2024-05-01 | Luneur Park, Via delle Tre Fontane, Rome, Italy
English readers may need to use Google translate to get the details from this Italian website, but if you’re in Rome April 11-May first, enjoy The Wizard of Oz onstage in Luneur Park.
Dates and times of this production are April 22-25, 29-30 and May 1.

No Place Like the Palace Theatre in Manchester, UK
2024-04-24 08:00 - 2024-05-05 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Palace Theatre Manchester, 97 Oxford St, Manchester, United Kingdom
Direct from The London Palladium, the sensational new production of one of the world’s most beloved musicals comes to Manchester. Join Dorothy, Toto, and friends on an unforgettable adventure down the yellow brick road to the merry old land of Oz. Starring award-winning comedian and musical theatre star Jason Manford as The Cowardly Lion, JLS sensation Aston Merrygold as The Tin Man and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner and Dancing On Ice star The Vivienne as The Wicked Witch of the West, this spectacular production will be truly magical for all the family.
This touring show will visit five cities in the UK. For tickets at all locations, visit the website.

UK Wizard of Oz on Tour in Woking
2024-05-07 - 2024-05-12 | New Victoria Theatre, The Ambassadors, The Peacocks Centre, Woking, GU21 6GQ, United Kingdom
Starring Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood as The Wicked Witch Of The West, this spectacular touring production offers the beloved story of Dorothy and friends as a live theater event for the whole family.
See all five venues with dates and links to ticket sales at the website.

We’re off to see the Wizard; Dinner theater in Fredericksburg, Virginia
2024-05-22 08:00 - 2024-07-14 17:00 (America/Chicago) | MO
This timeless tale – in which young Dorothy Gale travels from Kansas over the rainbow to the magical Land of Oz – has been charming audiences for generations. Follow the yellow brick road all the way to the Emerald City in this delightful stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s enduring classic. Filled with brains, heart, and courage, and featuring the iconic score from the MGM film, The Wizard of Oz is fun for the whole family!
Evening dinner theater and matinee performances… Lots of options on the website!

International Ballet of Florida: The Wizard of Oz
2024-05-26 | Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Avenue West, Bradenton, FL, 34205, United States
The International Ballet of Florida is proud to present an original production of “The Wizard of Oz.” Follow Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion and more on their journey to the Emerald City. This stunning performance with original choreography by Vadim Fedotov and music composed by David Goldstein will feature premiere international ballet stars with the dancers of The International Ballet of Florida.
Two performances Sunday May 26, 2024, 2:00 & 7:00 pm

Margaret Hamilton's friendship with Laura Jane Musser on exhibit
2024-05-30 08:00 - 2024-08-31 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Linden Hill Historic Estate, 608 Highland Avenue, Little Falls, MN, 56345, United States
Linden Hill Historic Estate in Little Falls, Minnesota, celebrates the warm friendship heiress (and early Oz Club member) Laura Jane Musser shared with actress Margaret Hamilton. Correspondents and travel companions, the friendship between the two will be featured during tours of Linden Hall Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays May 30-August 31. In addition to letters, memorabilia to be displayed includes dolls, photos, drawings, posters, and more.
Follow in the footsteps of Margaret Hamilton and explore the personal connection she shared with Laura Jane with a visit to Linden Hall. This collection is rarely displayed, giving Oz fans an unique opportunity to discover the off-screen persona of out favorite Wicked Witch.
Linden Hill tour tickets, including the special Oz display, are $10/adult, $5 youth ages 5-17, with children 4 and under free.
For more information see, this report.

OzStravaganza 2024
2024-05-31 - 2024-06-02 | The International L. Frank Baum & All Things Oz Historical Foundation, 219 Genesee St., Chittenango, NY, 13037, United States
Mark your calendars for the 2024 celebration of All Things Oz in Chittenango, NY, birthplace of L. Frank Baum. The communities annual festival draws fans from near and far.
Gita Morena, great-granddaughter of L. Frank Baum, Robert Welch, grandson of Arnold (Buddy) Gillespie, composer Steve Margoshes, author/illustrator Gabriel Gale (Ages of Oz, The Art of Oz), and Oz author, historian, and emcee John Fricke are already confirmed. Watch the website for announcements of other special guests, entertainment and activities for the whole family.

Judy Garland Festival 2024
2024-06-20 - 2024-06-22 | Judy Garland Museum, 2727 S. Pokegama Ave., Grand Rapids, MN, 55744, United States
The Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, has announced this year’s dates. Mark June 20-22 and save the dates. More information should be available soon at their website.

The Puppet Company stages Oz in Glen Echo, MD
2024-07-06 - 2024-08-04 | The Puppet Company, 7300 MacArthur Boulevard, Glen Echo, MD, 20812, United States
L. Frank Baum’s story and W.W. Denslow’s illustrations come alive on the puppet stage through August 4. The Puppet Company uses several styles of puppetry, we tell the great American fairy tale with performers in costumes, guiding the audience down the yellow brick road.
A detailed review can be found here.
Recommended for 4+ Run time of approximately 60 minutes. See website for showtimes.

OzCon International in Pomona, California
2024-07-19 - 2024-07-20 | Kellogg West Conference Center, 3801 W. Temple Avenue, Building 76, Pomona, CA, 91768, United States
OzCon International 2024 – Celebrating The Royal Historians of Oz & Games Galore!
Join us at Kellogg West in beautiful Pomona, California, from July 19th & 20th, 2024, as we embark on a magical journey through all the Royal Historians’ wondrous versions of Oz and beyond. We’re also dedicating this event to all the enchanting games inspired by the Land of Oz, from board games to card games, tabletop RPGs to video games.
Registration is open through the website. Reduced rates for children.

"There's No Place Like Home" UFDC 75th Annual Convention
2024-07-23 - 2024-07-27 | Kansas City Marriott Downtown, 200 West 12th Street, Kansas City, MO, 64105, United States
The United Federation of Doll Club’s Annual Convention will be held in Kansas City with Oz as the theme. “There’s No Place Like Home” is especially appropriate as the UFDC’s headquarters and museum is located in Kansas City, and this is the group’s 75th annual convention. Described as the largest and most highly acclaimed doll collecting conference in the world, the annual event is the original forum for doll dialogs, research, education, conservation, collecting, and the appreciation of dolls.
Past Oz Club President Jane Albright will be presenting “Oz Dolls: 120 Years of Dorothy and Friends” Tuesday afternoon. Throughout the week several hands-on workshops feature Oz doll and doll making projects. Exhibits include both a private collection of Oz dolls, and a display of dolls celebrating The Wiz. Meals with Oz themes will feature dolls by Robert Tonner, R.John Wright, and Maggie Iacono. The MGM film will be screened Saturday. Friday afternoon offers “public day” access to the sales room.
Registration tables, an orientation, ice cream social, and similar events are planned for Monday July 22.
For additional details, see their website for registration details and costs.

Oz art and activities at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod
2024-07-26 08:00 - 2024-09-27 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Cultural Center of Cape Cod, Flagship Bass River Campus 307 Old Main St., South Yarmouth, MA, 02664, United States
Cultural Center of Cape Cod offers an opening event Saturday, July 27, from 10am – 3pm for its Wizard of Oz exhibit. Event tickets are $25.
Central to the exhibit are thirteen mural-sized canvases by Christina Schlesinger. “The Dorothy Paintings” reimagine Dorothy’s adventures as the symbol of youthful resilience and independence. “Through my paintings, I wanted to capture Dorothy’s journey as a powerful metaphor for the challenges and triumphs young girls face in discovering their own strengths,” says Schlesinger.
Families can engage in hands-on activities both indoors and out by building LEGO creations in the “No Place Like Home” room cooling off in the “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” sprinkler. The Palette supper club offering dishes inspired by the world of Oz, complemented by Oz-centered jazz performances. Renowned pianist Laszlo Gardony will provide fresh takes on American Songbook classics and riginal compositions, including his arrangement of “Over the Rainbow.”
The exhibit itself remains open through Sept. 27. The website indicates “donations encouraged” for admission following the opening event.

Illinois Oz Fest returns to Mapleton Aug. 10
2024-08-10 | Butler Hanes Park, 9424 S Mapleton Road, Mapleton, IL, 61547, United States
The Oz Garden at Butler Haynes Park comes to life with music and magic every year, creating a wonderful Oz-filled weekend of families and fans. Performances, story telling, and photo opportunities with popular The Spirit of Oz characters are highlights for everyone. Participate in contests and activities, take the kids to the Stevens Puppet Show of The Wizard of Oz, visit vendor booths and more as you make memories of your very own visit to Oz.
Admission:
$6.00 Adults
$4.00 Seniors 55+
$4.00 Kids 12yrs and under
Kids 2 & Under Free

4th Oz Land Festival to be held in Peekskill, NY, August 17.
2024-08-17 | Peekskill NY, South Street, Peekskill, NY, 10566, United States
Vendors and Food Trucks and Actors, Oh my! Antonia Arts’ fourth annual Ozland Festival will take place on Saturday, August 17, 2024. An open call for character actors is out, as entertainment for the outdoor stage, the “Artsmobile from Arts Westchester, and vendors are confirmed. South Street in downtown Peekskill will be closed off for festivities. Dress as your favorite character and join the fun. Peekskill is where Oz author L. Frank Baum famously, if briefly, attended military school, giving this community a unique connection to Oz history.
Sponsor Antonia Arts is a non-profit organization that fosters growth in the creative and performing arts.
This year’s planning committee (pictured from l-r) include cartographer Christine Lifgren, founder Scarlett Antonia, stage manager David Peterman, and event coordinator Sonia Lee Garber.
Here’s a link to early news coverage.

No Place Like Home: New Oz museum opens in Indiana
2024-08-24 09:00 - 2024-08-25 17:00 (America/Chicago) | No Place Like Home, 204 N. Detroit St., LaGrange, IN, 46761, United States
No Place Like Home, a new Oz museum set to open Aug. 24 in LaGrange, Indiana, is the life-long dream of Oz collector Katie Bailey. The new museum showcases more than 6,000 Oz items, and includes a gift shop of new and vintage Oz material.

No Place Like Home does not yet have a website, but this local news report provides a quick look at what visitors can expect:
No Place Like Home

The Wonderful World of Oz in Oconomowoc
2024-09-06 16:00 - 23:00 (America/Chicago) | Oconomowoc, Downtown, Oconomowoc, WI, 53066, United States
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, has long celebrated its tie to the 1939 MGM screen classic with an annual film screening downtown. The free event shuts down a stretch of street and welcomes the public to enjoy the beloved family film in a festive outdoor setting.
NOTE: Due to inclement weather forecasts, this event has been moved from Aug. 15 to Sept. 6, 2024. PLEASE follow event links to confirm up-to-date details.
This year the City, in partnership with Moonlit Movies, will re-create the Merry Old Land of Oz Friday, Sept. 6. You will follow the Yellow Brick Road throughout the entire downtown corridor from Auntie Em’s farm to the haunted forest and the dazzling Emerald City! it’s all capped off with a screening of the beloved classic on a giant screen in the middle of the street downtown. Along the way you can pose with sculpted Oz characters on Oz Plaza, step into other fun photo ops, enjoy live music, food trucks, a costume contest, petting zoo, and more activities for all ages.

If you’ve been to Oconomowoc before, expect more for this 85th anniversary event. The City has done a complete overhaul of its downtown Oz Plaza expanding the cast of character statues and an Emerald City mural. You’ll find rainbow seating and the house that killed the Witch. Other touches are promised to be unveiled this year. Come see it all at the 85th Anniversary Celebration Sept. 6.
Arrive a day early and enjoy speaker Michelle Gibbons’ presentation, “Following the Yellow Brick Road: The Life of Judy Garland” at the Oconomowoc public library.

Unfamiliar with the Oconomowoc connection? It was one of several communities where the MGM film was previewed to public audiences ahead of its Hollywood premiere. Of all those communities, Oconomowoc is the one that goes all out to honor the classic film with a permanent public tribute and an annual event.

Additional details also can be found here.

Springfield Little Theatre brings Oz to life on Missouri stage -- with gala event Sept. 14
2024-09-13 - 2024-09-29 | The Landers, 311 East Walnut Street, Springfield, MO, 65806, United States
The Springfield Little Theatre crown their 90th Emerald Anniversary Season with The Wizard of Oz. Featuring all of the most beloved songs and memorable moments from the 1939 classic film, this timeless musical brings to life on the Landers stage a magical tale of wonder, friendship, courage, and the quest for home. Experience the magic of Oz through expert stagecraft, dazzling costumes, captivating performances, and unforgettable songs like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and “We’re Off to See the Wizard.” Join Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion as they discover that the power to achieve their deepest desires has been within them all along.
Sept. 14 Emerald Anniversary Gala Celebration with a pre-show reception and post-show party:

The pre-show event at 5:30 includes big band, swing, jazz, and popular music from the 1930s at The Judith Enyeart Reynolds School of the Performing Arts (“The Judy”), 237 S. Florence Avenue, with cocktails, wine, beer, and hors d’oeuvres.
The post-performance party lets you dance the night away in their “Ozdust Ballroom” at The Reynolds Auditorium with refreshments on the lawn of The Judy.
Tickets are $95
https://www.springfieldlittletheatre.org/show/90-gala/

Tickets for performances other than the Sept. 14 gala begin at $17. See website for specific show times, group rates, and ticket fees.

Follow the Yellow Brick Road during Autumn in Oz
2024-09-23 11:00 (America/New_York) | The Land of Oz, 2669 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain, NC, 28604, United States
The Land of Oz theme park in Banner Elk, North Carolina, will open for three weekends in September—6-8, 13-15, and 20-22. Starting out with Professor Marvel, Kansas farmhands, and Dorothy’s iconic song, this is the only place fans can enter Dorothy’s house and come out on the Yellow Brick Road in a truly interactive experience. Dorothy leads you to a grand finale in the Emerald City, joined along the way by her friends the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion. It takes a cast of 70 character actors to bring this immersive experience to life for fans.
Tickets, which are on sale now, are set for entry on specific dates and times to ensure the tens of thousands of fans returning to Oz all have a great experience.
See the website for more information; particularly note that, unfortunately, the rugged terrain of the Yellow Brick Road is unsuitable for those needing a wheelchair for mobility.

2024 Oz: The National Convention
2024-09-27 - 2024-09-30 | MO
This year the Oz Club’s convention will be held in conjunction with CharlOz. Join us Sept. 27-29 in Charlotte, NC, for three full days of Ozzy program. Arrive early for a Thursday evening presentation by Wicked author Gregory Maguire.
Watch for information about Club-specific programing, group participation in public events, and all your housing and meal details. Registration and more information are now available here. In addition to updates here at OzClub.org, you’ll receive printed convention fliers in the next Baum Bugle mailing.

CharlOz conference brings Oz to Charlotte, NC
2024-09-27 08:00 - 2024-09-29 17:00 (America/Chicago) | University of North Carolina Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC, 28223-0001, United States
CharlOz is a three-day interdisciplinary festival explores how L. Frank Baum’s fairy tale timelessly reflects American values with its vast array of characters. Even as the Oz theme inspires new interpretations, it remains relevant, celebrating all representations of non-traditional characters.
The International Wizard of Oz Club will be holding Oz: The National Convention in partnership with this not-to-be-missed weekend of Oz.

Oztoberfest returns Oct. 5, 2024 in Wamego, Kansas
2024-10-05 | The Oz Museum, 511 Lincoln, Wamego, uni, 66547, United States
The Oz Museum in Wamego, Kansas, has announced this year’s annual event will be held Oct. 5. We’ll update here as more information becomes available. Also see the community’s event site and the Oz Museum’s website, both linked from this page

Gala of Oz in Olathe, Kansas
2024-10-25 08:00 - 2024-10-27 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Trilogy Cultural Arts Centre, 15585 S Keeler St, Olathe, KS, 66062, United States
Trilogy Cultural Arts Centre in Olathe, Kansas, invites you to prepare for an enchanting experience. The Gala of Oz is a spectacular Cirque Delaire Cascade company production, retelling the classic Wizard of Oz story in a breathtaking cirque style show. This stunning reimagining of a beloved tale, will be performed at Trilogy from October 25-27. This is your opportunity to dive into a spectacular world of cirque and dance like never before!

Visit https://trilogy.webtix.co/events/401_Gala-of-Oz to purchase tickets, which are priced at $50-$70.

Times:
Friday Oct 25, 2024 7:00 pm
Saturday Oct 26, 2024 2:00 pm

Saturday Oct 26, 2024 7:00 pm

Sunday Oct 27, 2024 2:00 pm

Journey to Oz Nov. 9 at Kansas City's Starlight Theatre
2024-11-06 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Starlight, 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, MO, 64132, United States
In this fantastic new adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz,” we are invited to go to Oz with Dorothy as audience members become a part of an experiential production, singing and dancing, and acting alongside professional actors. When the cyclone comes, the entire theater enters the eye of the storm with whisking lights and exciting music.
Developed for children ages 4-10 and their families. Performances are indoors at Starlight.

East of Oz, new musical staged in San Andreas, CA
2024-11-06 08:00 - 2024-11-17 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Metropolitan in San Andreas, 59 Main St, San Andreas, CA, 95249, United States
In a recent interview, Fourth Wall founder-creative director Cyndie Klorer said, “I knew I wanted to tackle another immersive ’jukebox musical. I wanted to tell a story about the Wicked Witch of the East and what might have happened if Dorothy’s house had landed on the Wicked Witch of the West and we were left to deal with the ruby-slippered witch instead.”
A jukebox musical incorporates existing music into the production, rather than original songs. Two dozen cross-genre hits from the 1950s through the present were selected making this Oz with songs from such greats as Nat King Cole, Chicago, and the Beatles.
Showtimes for “East of Oz” are Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $20, Seniors and Students are $15.
