BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The Yellow Brick Road is coming to the Lehigh Valley.
Pennsylvania Youth Theatre, or PYT, will present "Wizard of Oz" starting Thursday and running through Sunday, May 19, at Zoellner Arts Center, 420 E. Packer Ave.
Based on a version presented by the Royal Shakespeare Company, the play will feature student renditions of well-known songs such as “Somewhere Over The Rainbow,”, “Munchkinland (Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead),” and “If I Only Had A Brain."
Rehearsals for the 78-cast production began in February.
The show is a product of artistic director Jill Dunn Jones, choreographer Darah Donaher, musical director Matthew Asti, production manager Braden Drake, stage managers Jillian McLuhan and Corinne Philbin, costume designer Bill Bauman, and lighting designer Anthony Forchielli.
Raising funds for a new home
Ticket sales will support PYT's programs and raise money for a new home.
The youth theatre will be displaced when the Banana Factory is demolished in April 2025 to pave the way for ArtsQuest's new cultural arts center at 25 W. Third St. in South Bethlehem.
The $22 million proposed project would give PYT less space than needed to house its dance, acting and voice classes, PYT Managing Director Valerie Reinhardt told LehighValleyNews.com in February.
According to Reinhardt, PYT needs at least $1.5 million to buy a performing venue and renovate it.
The performing arts school, with 650 students (grades pre-K to 12) offers year-round programs in acting, singing and dancing.
Additionally, PYT produces three to four main stage plays throughout the year and draws 10,000 to 16,000 people.
To purchase tickets to "Wizard of Oz," click here.