Off to See the Wizard

In October last year, The Wizard of Oz began it’s journey in Gainsville, Florida, and the 38-city-tour will touch down at Madison Square Garden March 26-April 5, with all the witches, Munchkins, and Flying Monkeys any kid could want. Based on the Royal Shakespeare Company’s celebration of the 1939 MGM film, this production will use the glamor of art deco Hollywood as the backdrop, designed by Tim McQuillen-Wright.

Also at the Garden, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus will present Zing Zang Zoom (MArch 26-April 13), a circus spectacle orchestrated by Magical “Zingmaster” Alex and his assistant, the alluring Levitytia. The New Victory Theater will bring another dose of the circus arts with La Famiglia Dimitri (March 27-April 19). Founded by Dimitri, the world famous Clown, with his daughters Masha and Nina, his son David and son-in-law Kai, their production combines European style humor, live music, poetry, and circus extravaganza.

Vital Children’s Theatre’s Pinkalicious has been enjoying tons of her favorite pink cupcakes at the Bleeker Street Theatre, but this month, she will be taking a special trip out to Staten Island at the St. George Theatre (March 20) to entertain families with her tale of Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe. It’s a dream come true for this pink loving enthusiast, until her hue goes too far, and only she can find a way to solve her predicament. Vital Theatre will have another treat for fairytale loving young ones in celebration of Environmental Awareness Month. The Frog and the Witch (March 14-April 26), tells the story of Pyx, the frog, who is the best singer in the village of Wishwell, until the unthinkable happens, and he croaks. Pyx follows a plume of black smoke to the outskirts of town where a powerful witch brews potions, and to get his voice back, he must convince the witch to clean up her act.

Musical fare this month will include Night of the Butterfly (March 15-April 26), a new musical written by Zack Friedman, with music and lyrics by Dan Kitrosser, that follows Beetle on his adventure to find a fallen butterfly. Along with his pals, a neurotic caterpillar and a newly vegetarian scorpion, Beetle makes his way through the forest, searching for butterflies and adventures.

On an even more musical note, Hot Peas n’ Butter (March 28) will take the stage with a world of music at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. Created by Danny Lapidus and Francisco Cotto, the group has made many appearances with their own mix of Afro-Caribbean rhythms, Jazz, R&B, Folk, and Rock for all ages. Back up at the New Victory, Black Violin (March 13-22) will take the stage with a unique combination of classical, jazz, blues, R&B and hip-hop from the hands of fiddlers Kev and Will B, along with their mixing maestro DJ TK. For a taste of a different kind of amazement, Rogue Magic will present Evening of Wonder (March 31) at the Producer’s Club Theatre.