NEPA Scene Staff

‘The Wizard of Oz’ follows Yellow Brick Road to Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre on April 13

‘The Wizard of Oz’ follows Yellow Brick Road to Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre on April 13
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From a press release:

There is truly no place like home as the greatest family musical of all time, the wonderful “Wizard of Oz” twists its way into the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre on Friday, April 13, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets, which are $45, $55, and $65, plus fees, are on sale now and can be purchased at the Kirby Center box office (71 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre), online at kirbycenter.org, and by phone at 570-826-1100.

“For nearly 40 years, this story has given faithful service to the Young in Heart; and Time has been powerless to put its kindly philosophy out of fashion. To those of you who have been faithful to it in return… and to the Young in Heart… we dedicate this picture.”

When the dedication for the opening credits of the 1939 MGM classic “The Wizard of Oz” was written, no one could’ve imagined the lasting impact the movie would have on American culture. Or how accurate the assertion that “Time” would be powerless to stop the story was going to be.

The actual time it takes (just over 100 minutes) to transport viewers from Kansas to the magical world of Oz and back again is relatively brief. But, as anyone who has viewed the movie knows, the story resonates much longer than that. Climatic lines such as, “Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore,” and “Lions and tigers and bears! Oh, my!” will never be forgotten. Judy Garland’s performance of “Over the Rainbow” has been hummed for decades and, once heard, is forever emblazoned on hearts and in minds. That is the phenomenon of “The Wizard of Oz.”

A treasured film, “The Wizard of Oz’s” infiltration into American culture is undeniable and virtually unparalleled. From an international fan club that is over a half-century old and boasts over 1,000 members to the nearly 1,000 documented references to “The Wizard of Oz,” its constant reemergence in culture and entertainment is overwhelming.

Quotes and references from The Wizard of Oz can be found in movies, music, and sitcoms, and no genre is left out. Everything from “Star Wars” and “Clueless” to “The Simpsons” and “Hannah Montana” pay tribute in reference to the beloved classic. In music, Pink Floyd, Madonna, Metallica, and Wilkes-Barre’s own Breaking Benjamin have alluded to L. Frank Baum’s story. And in everyday life, who doesn’t know a Wicked Witch of the West or every now and then want to simply click their heels three times to get home?

Sponsored by Isabella Restaurant and Bar in Wilkes-Barre, this production of “The Wizard of Oz” is a spectacular celebration of that classic 1939 MGM film. It’s a new, refreshed, and lavish rendition of the beloved classic. Audiences young and old, seeing it for the first time or the fifth, will be dazzled by the brightly colored sets, charmed by its timeless score, and enthralled with its breathtaking special effects. It truly is a wonderful show for the whole family. And whether it creates new memories or conjures them up from the past, everyone deserves to experience or relive the wonderful, whimsical, and enduring story of “The Wizard of Oz.”