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See Ruby Rakos, Lesli Margherita, and More in Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz

Performances of the New Jersey premiere of the Judy Garland musical have begun at the Paper Mill Playhouse.

Kenji Fujishima

Kenji Fujishima

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October 1, 2019

Paper Mill Playhouse has released photos of its New Jersey premiere of Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz, which began performances on September 26. Check out some photos of the production, which opens on October 6 and runs through October 27.

Ruby Rakos as Judy Garland with the company of Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz.
Ruby Rakos as Judy Garland with the company of Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz.
(© Evan Zimmerman)

Directed and choreographed by Tony nominee Denis Jones, with music direction by Lawrence Yurman, the production features Ruby Rakos (Billy Elliot) as Judy Garland/Frances Gumm, Tony nominee Max von Essen (An American in Paris) as Frank Gumm, Olivier Award winner Lesli Margherita (Matilda) as Ethel Gumm, Karen Mason (Mamma Mia!) as Ma Lawlor/Kay Koverman, Stephen DeRosa (Into the Woods) as Louis B. Mayer, Michael Wartella (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) as Mickey Rooney, and Colin Hanlon (ABC's Modern Family) as Roger Edens.

Michael Wartella plays Mickey Rooney, and Ruby Rakos plays Judy Garland in Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz.
Michael Wartella plays Mickey Rooney, and Ruby Rakos plays Judy Garland in Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz.
(© Evan Zimmerman)

Rounding out the cast are Tia Altinay, Mackenzie Bell, Kristen Grace Brown, Lamont Brown, Joe Cassidy, Clara Cox, Tessa Grady, Sophie Knapp, Molly Lyons, Kimberly Immanuel, Christina Maxwell, Kevin B. McGlynn, Allsun O'Malley, Samantha Joy Pearlman, Drew Redington, Joshua J. Schwartz, Parker Slaybaugh, Sean Thompson, Violet Tinnirello and Kathy Voytko.

Karen Mason as Kay Koverman, Ruby Rakos as Judy Garland, and Sean Thompson as Clark Gable in Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz.
Karen Mason as Kay Koverman, Ruby Rakos as Judy Garland, and Sean Thompson as Clark Gable in Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz.
(© Jerry Dalia)

The production is described as follows: "Before she burst onto the big screen as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Judy Garland was a young vaudeville trouper named Frances Gumm. In this highly anticipated new musical chronicling Garland's early career from vaudeville baby to MGM teen star in the making, the road to Oz is paved with adversity. At its heart a story of love between a father and daughter, featuring such legendary songs as 'Over the Rainbow,' 'You Made Me Love You,' and 'Everybody Sing,' Chasing Rainbows is a poignant coming-of-age tale about 'the little girl with the big voice,' who went on to become one of the world's most beloved entertainment icons."

Sophie Knapp as Baby Gumm, and Max von Essen as Frank Gumm in Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz.
Sophie Knapp as Baby Gumm, and Max von Essen as Frank Gumm in Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz.
(© Evan Zimmerman)

Chasing Rainbows is conceived by Tina Marie Casamento (who also contributes additional lyrics), and features a book by Marc Acito, and musical adaptation and additional music by David Libby.

Leslie Margherita plays Ethel Gumm, with Max von Essen as Frank Gumm, in Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz.
Leslie Margherita plays Ethel Gumm, with Max von Essen as Frank Gumm, in Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz.
(© Evan Zimmerman)

The creative team includes scenic design by Alexander Dodge, costume design by Linda Cho, lighting design by Japhy Weideman, sound design by Matt Kraus, projection design by Peter Nigrini, hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe, and makeup design by Dena Olivieri. John Fricke serves as creative consultant. The production stage manager is Bonnie Panson.

Colin Hanlon as Roger Edens, Stephen DeRosa as Louis B. Mayer, and Karen Mason and Kay Koverman in Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz at Paper Mill Playhouse.
Colin Hanlon as Roger Edens, Stephen DeRosa as Louis B. Mayer, and Karen Mason as Kay Koverman in Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz at Paper Mill Playhouse.
(© Evan Zimmerman)

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