Wizard of Oz to Land at Civic Center

The Tin Woodsman, the Cowardly Lion, Dorothy and of course Toto - they'll all be showing up on stage at the Civic Center's Showcase theater for four shows over the weekend of March 10-11. "The Wizard of Oz" will be presented on stage by the Masque Unit Junior Theater at both 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Masque Unit’s production and Jim Eiler and Jeanne Bargy’s musical adaptation of the Wizard of Oz introduces children to this timeless masterpiece and offers an afternoon of delightful entertainment.

The story is familiar to lovers of the 1939 motion picture classic, or Frank Baum's books: After a tornado whisks Dorothy away from her farm in Kansas to the magical land of Oz, the munchkins and Glinda the Good Witch send her on an adventure to find the mighty Wizard.  On her way, Dorothy meets a brainless Scarecrow, a heartless Tin Woodsman and a Cowardly Lion.  Dorothy must avoid the clutches of the Wicked Witch of the West and find the Wizard who will help her get home!

Members of the Masque Unit from Novato include Susan Bell-Warner, Fran Roberts, Kele Gasparini, Tammi Clark and Kathy Eggert.

The Masque Unit Junior Theatre of Marin is celebrating its 50th anniversary of bringing live theater to the children of Marin County this year.  Masque Unit is a non-profit organization whose members volunteer their time and talent to produce a yearly musical of a classic children’s story.  The group has performed for more than 250 thousand children over its 50-year history.

"The Wizard of Oz" will be performed at the Showcase Theatre at the Marin Civic Center on March 10 & 11 at both 1:00 and 3:00.  Tickets are $8, available at the Civic Center Box office (499-6800).