The Duluth Playhouse stages the family classic through Dec. 22. (Photo by Nicole Modeen Photography)

The Wizard of Oz is hardwired into our psyches. When we hear “Yellow Brick Road,” half of us are thinking, “OK, Dorothy, walk to the painted backdrop, turn, wave, and then fade to the second commercial break.”

So think how high the bar was set when the stage version of The Wizard of Oz opened Thursday night (December 5) at the NorShor Theatre.

People were actually singing “We’re Off to See the Wizard” in the skywalk on their way to the show.

Then the overture began, and you could feel the magic coming as soon as the singing started. When Toto (Truman, in an enchanting theatrical debut) ran onstage, the entire audience went, “Awwwwww.”

The big test came early when Meghan Jarecki’s Dorothy sang “Over the Rainbow,” including the introductory verse omitted from the film, which allowed Jarecki to sing the song on her own terms.

As soon as Dorothy sang “Somewhere…,” you got a lump in your throat, and people around you were wiping their eyes. Jarecki has more brass in her voice than Judy Garland, never tried to compete with her signature warble, and went for a really big last note that sealed the deal.

There is so much joy and fun in this show to make you smile nonstop.

——-

ALL THE DETAILS:

• WHAT: The Wizard of Oz
• WHERE: NorShor Theatre (211 E. SUperior St, Duluth MN 55802)
• WHEN: December 12-15 & 19-22
• SHOWTIMES: Thursday-Saturday @ 7:30pm // Saturday & Sunday @ 2:00pm
• BRUNCH AND A SHOW: Sunday, December 15. Learn more.
• TICKETS: 
  • Standard: $40-$50
  • Youth (17 and under): $10 off standard ticket
  • Student Rush: $25 (at the door only the night of a performance)
• PURCHASE: Online // 218.733.7555 // In-person at the Box Office (211 E. Superior St.)