"And the Dreams that you dare to dream,
Really do come true...."
Way
back when, times were different; they were a much simpler time. There were three channels on TV to watch,
cartoons were only on Saturday mornings and once a year, the most magical of
events occurred. For one magnificent night, my life was filled with Munchkins,
flying monkeys and Dorothy took me over the rainbow to the Land of Oz. I lived for that moment when “The Wizard of
Oz” would come into my living and then for months on end I would sing and reenact
every scene and every song, much to my mother’s chagrin. It wasn’t until 1966, when I went to the
neighbor’s house across the street that I discovered that low and behold, part
of my most beloved movie was in color, thus adding an entirely new dimension to
my world.
Over the years, this beloved and timeless
classic has been a part of me and everything I held dear. Imagine my delight when after so many years
the time finally came that the movie I held so dear went from the small screen
in my living room to the big screen of our local movie theater. To be able to
have my Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tinman and Lion larger than life and to be so
completely and totally immersed in the story is one of the moments in time that
I will hold close to my heart for as long as I live.
But just when I thought it couldn’t
possibly get any better, thanks to the genius of the legendary Andrew Lloyd
Webber, will be bringing this American classic to the stage in San Francisco
with not only the original songs that are so much a part of my childhood,
but also with new music from Mr. Webber as well as the great Broadway composer
Tim Rice.
If your anywhere in
northern California than you too can click your heels together and join
Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Dorothy and her little dog Toto, as they journey
through the magical land of Oz to meet the Wizard and obtain their hearts’
desires. Watch out for the Wicked Witch of the West and her winged monkeys as
you rediscover the real story of Oz in this fantastic musical treat for all the
family. If
you’d like to be off to see the wizard too, opening night is October 16th and
will run through October 27th. Purchase tickets at www.shnsf.com or by calling the Audience
Services line at 888-746-1799.
Gayle is a Disney Gal that loves churros for breakfast, still
gets giddy with delight at the first sight of the “Disneyland next exit sign”,
loves the overwhelming emotions and memories that come with each and every
return to the Happiest Place on Earth and dreams of one day being the Captain
of the Jungle Boat. To learn more about Gayle, click here
The Madrone School Wizard of Oz Cast Gets the #DisneySide Surprise of their Lives!
The
name Disney and Magic often go hand in hand and are often interchangeable but
at no time was this more evident than at last week’s surprise #DisneySide @
Home Celebration thrown for the Madrone Elementary School Cast of “They Wizard
of Oz”. The 60 cast members thought they
were being summoned to an unheard of last minute Friday rehearsal. After being sequestered in the band room and
given ears to put on-to make a Friday rehearsal “just a little more bearable”,
the cast was ushered to the cafeteria where the booming “Soundsational Parade
Music” could be heard through the cafeteria walls. Once gathered at the doors, it was explained
to them that Walt Disney said it best when he said, “If you can dream it, you
can do it.” The play, which only a few
short months before was just a dream, was about to become a reality but in the
meantime, it was time for some fun Disney style. 
To cheers, shrieks and even a
few tears of joy, the doors opened to the big reveal-a party to end all
parties. Complete with Disney treats aplenty, music from the Parks, their own
