FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Kevin Kopjak, Charles Zukow Associates 415.296.0677 | [email protected]

to play San Jose’s Center for the Performing Arts January 29 – February 4, 2016

SAN JOSE, CA (November 9, 2015) – Broadway San Jose, a Nederlander Presentation, is delighted to announce that the North American tour of the new stage adaptation of THE WIZARD OF OZ will play January 29 – February 4, 2016 at the Center for the Performing Arts (255 S. Almaden Blvd.) in San Jose. Tickets for THE WIZARD OF OZ are available now online at www.ticketmaster.com, in-person at the City National Civic Theatre Box Office (150 West San Carlos Street), or by calling 800-982-ARTS (2787). Ticket prices are subject to change without notice.

The performance schedule for the San Jose engagement of THE WIZARD OF OZ is as follows: Friday, January 29 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, January 30 at 2 & 8 p.m.; Sunday, January 31 at 1 & 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, February 2 at 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday, February 3 at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, February 4 at 7:30 p.m.

This production of THE WIZARD OF OZ is an enchanting adaptation of the all-time classic. Developed from the ever popular MGM screenplay, this new production contains the beloved Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg songs from the Oscar®-winning movie score, all the favorite characters and iconic moments, plus a few surprises along the way, including new songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

THE WIZARD OF OZ had its world premiere at The Theatre in March of 2011. After a successful West End run, the production had its North American premiere in Toronto in December of 2012, and then embarked on a U.S. tour beginning in September of 2013.

The national tour of THE WIZARD OF OZ will feature the same award-winning creative team from London and Toronto: Jeremy Sams (direction), Robert Jones (set and costume design), Arlene Phillips (choreography), Hugh Vanstone (lighting design), Mick Potter (sound design), & Daniel Brodie (video/projection design), David Cullen (orchestrations) and Graham Hurman (musical supervision). Animals will be provided by William Berloni.

Starring as Dorothy is Sarah Lasko. A University of Maryland graduate, Sarah most recently appeared at Maryland's Imagination Stage, where she originated the role of Lisa in Double Trouble, the musical adaptation of The Parent Trap. She appeared at the Kennedy Center as a soloist in An Evening with Barbara Cook and in NSO Christmas Pops with Marvin Hamlisch.

Mark A. Harmon will star as Professor Marvel/The Wizard. Mark was seen in the national tours of Mamma Mia! (Harry Bright) and Hairspray (Wilbur Turnblad). He received a Carbonell Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical for A Little Night Music (Broward Stage Door Theatre). Shani Hadjian will star as the Wicked Witch of the West. Shani appeared in the national tour of NETworks Presents Disney's Beauty and the Beast (Madame de la Grande Bouche) and Fancy Nancy (Mom).

Also starring in the production are Aaron Fried as Lion, Jay McGill as Tin Man, Morgan Reynolds as Scarecrow and Rachel Womble as Glinda.

Featured in the production are Randy Charleville as Uncle Henry and Emmanuelle Zeesman as Auntie Em. Rounding out the ensemble are Victoria Abhalter, Danielle Behrens, Amy Button, Will Geoghegan, Beau Hutchings, Nick Morgan, Justin G. Nelson, Nick Picknally, Corey Rives, Dominick Sannelli, Jenna Brooke Scannelli, Maggie Spicer, Alex Swift, Jake Vacanti, Adam Vanek, Shannon Walsh, Kaley Were, Kyle White and Dorsey Ziller.

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 the whole family.

For full tour route and ticketing info, visit the website at: www.wizardofozthemusical.com.

www.facebook.com/wizardofozthemusical twitter.com/yellowbrickroad

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BIOS

SARAH LASKO (Dorothy) National tour debut! Favorite credits include The Fantasticks (Luisa), Romeo and Juliet (Juliet), She Loves Me (Amalia), and The Crucible (Abigail). UMCP graduate. www.sarahlasko.com

MARK A. HARMON (Professor Marvel/The Wizard) National Tours: Mamma Mia! (Harry Bright), Hairspray (Wilbur Turnblad). Regional: The Normal Heart (Felix Turner), Urinetown (Mr. McQueen), Art (Yvonne), Charles 1776 (Thompson), A Christmas Carol (Ebenezer Scrooge), A Little Night Music (Fredrik Egerman), A Funny Thing … Forum (Marcus Lycus).

SHANI HADJIAN (Miss Gulch/ Wicked Witch of the West) Ohio Native. National Tours: Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Fancy Nancy. Off-Broadway: Fancy Nancy. Regional highlights: , As You Like It, Les Miserables, Caroline, or Change. BFA - The Hartt School. @shadjian www.shanihadjian.com

AARON FRIED (Zeke/Lion) Tours: Nice Work If You Can Get It, The Addams Family, Grease. New York: Sowa’s Red Gravy. Regional: Ogunquit, North Shore, Gateway, Theatre By The Sea. Training: Ithaca College, BFA.

JAY McGILL (Hickory/Tin Man) Regional: West Virginia Public Theatre (two seasons) Television: “Being Erica,” “The Latest Buzz,” “Wingin’ It,” “Super Why (Aladdin).” Proud graduate of CCM (University of Cincinnati).

MORGAN REYNOLDS (Hunk/Scarecrow) is living his childhood dreams of following the yellow brick road! Performing theater worldwide and 7 years with The Walt Disney Company. Like his selfies and follow his tour shenanigans on instagram @MorganWReynolds

RACHEL WOMBLE (Glinda) is thrilled to be making her National Tour debut! Training: Rice University (BA), NYU (MM). Favorite credits: Forum (Philia), 1776 (Martha), and Carousel (Julie). rachelwomble.com

RANDY CHARLEVILLE (Uncle Henry) Tours: Flashdance, Phantom of the Opera. Off-Broadway: Rasputin, Definitely Doris. TV: "" w/Liza Minnelli, "ESPY Awards" and "Gossip Girl."

EMMANUELLE ZEESMAN (Auntie Em) National Tours/Off-Broadway: Christmas Carol, Little Mermaid, Passion and five seasons with Symphony Orchestras through four continents. Regional: Guys & Dolls, Tommy, Blood Brothers (CCC Award Winner Best Actress). www.emmanuellezeesman.com