A Message from the Artistic Director

FRANCESCO VENTRIGLIA | Artistic Director

The Wizard of Oz: A Canadian Premiere

A warm welcome to this special production of The Wizard of Oz – a magical journey into the imagination.

“There’s no place like home” – a phrase so woven into popular culture – it really needs no introduction. It’s been 14 months since I arrived in Alberta to

begin my journey as Artistic Director with Alberta Ballet. Over this time, I’ve truly contemplated the idea of ‘home.’ Is it where you hang your hat, where the heart is, or somewhere over the rainbow? My conclusion: home is where you feel grounded and comfortable with yourself. For me, that place is the dance studio and in the new home that I built with my husband and two dogs.

It was a delight to be in the studio with our very talented dancers. Together, we brought to life my version of Dorothy’s adventures on her way to the Emerald City. The Wizard of Oz is a story very close to my heart. I largely follow L. Frank Baum’s narrative but with some adaptations to the opening scene, which begins in a children’s hospital. This rendering reflects my personal experience and holds special significance as it’s how I came to know and love The Wizard of Oz.

This story holds many truths that are too easily forgotten or overlooked in adulthood. We must all learn to believe in ourselves: quick wits, compassion, and courage—and just a touch of magic—are inside us all. We are always capable of more than we think we are, and we must strive to be better than ourselves every day.

We are so excited to share this Canadian premiere and to give many thanks to the individuals who helped turn our dream into reality. First and foremost, thank you to those who have embraced both the excitement of our 2024-25 season and the joy of this much-loved tale. To all our supporters, we offer our heartfelt thanks for the part you play in our success and for your good company as we travel our own ‘yellow brick road.’

FRANCESCO VENTRIGLIA
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

The Story

Act One

Dorothy lies comatose in her hospital bed, her loyal and loving Uncle Henry by her side. Visitors arrive in her room as if in a dream – some familiar, some mysterious, some comforting, some frightening. In her dreams, she begins a magical journey…

Dorothy arrives in the land of the Munchkins, disporting themselves on a sunny beach. She starts her journey along the Yellow Brick Road and encounters new friends: the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Lion. Each is travelling to the Emerald City for a different reason, but all believe that the great and mysterious Wizard of Oz will solve all their problems. When they finally arrive at their destination, the Wizard is not there, and the Guardian of the City sends them off on a further quest, to see the Wicked Witch of the West at her castle and to steal her magical golden hat.

The Witch and her evil flying monkeys capture Dorothy and send her to work in the castle, scrubbing the floor. The Witch steals one of Dorothy’s ruby slippers. Dorothy stands up to the Witch and, enraged, throws a bucket of dirty water at her. The Witch melts away and Dorothy takes her golden hat: whoever wears it can command the flying monkeys. Transformed by Dorothy’s kindness, the monkeys do her every bidding; they pick up Dorothy and her friends and bear them to the poppy fields outside the gates of the Emerald City. The Lion saves a pair of mice from a murderous yellow cat; Dorothy and the Lion are then overcome by the fumes of the poppies, but the Scarecrow and the Tin Man are immune.

Act Two

Dorothy and her friends arrive in the Kingdom of Porcelain, where the Princess of Porcelain and her Cavalier drink tea and coffee. The golden hat and its magical powers are a source of wonder for all, and two bumbling villains Mr. and Mrs. Wolf, arrive and try to steal it, but are easily repelled. Dorothy and her friends begin their final journey to the Emerald City.

Back in the City, the Wizard and Glinda dance a nostalgic pas de deux. Dorothy and her friends return in triumph from their victory over the Wicked Witch of the West and are welcomed back into the City. The Wizard presents them with gifts to fulfill their quest: brains for the Scarecrow, a heart for the Tin Man and courage for the Lion. Dorothy is torn between her desire to stay with the Wizard forever and wanting to go home but the decision is not hers to make; he slips away, leaving her alone.

Epilogue

Dorothy wakes from her coma to find her Uncle Henry waiting patiently. The visitors in her hospital ward look somehow familiar; she is fully recovered, ready for a new life and new adventures. She begins a new journey, surrounded by friends who love her.

The Wizard of Oz
Creative Team

The Wizard of Oz
Casting

Subject to Change

Alberta Ballet Dancers

Alberta Ballet Artistic Team

Alberta Ballet Artistic Support

Stage Manager | Marisa Mireau
Company Teachers | Francesco Ventriglia, Yoshiya Sakurai, Brian Waldrep, Hayna Gutierrez, Shino Sakurai
Company Pianists | Marina Federov, Michael Levin, Juanita Faas, Lorel Leal, Helena Barker
Stager | Lorena Fernández Sáez

Production Team

Stage Technicians provided by IATSE Local 212
Flying FV provided by Gaslamp FX INC

Technical Director | Jason McLellan
Head Carpenter | Brian Chmielewski
Lead Fly | Kevin Green
Lead Props | Cassandra Thorbjornsen
Lead Lighting | Chris Axford
Second Lighting | Oliver Petti
Lead Sound and Multi-Media | Dan Plumtree
Head of Wardrobe | Michele Merrells
Second Wardrobe | Lori McMahon
Second Wardrobe/Stitcher | Erin LeBaron
Cutter | Anne Nguyen

Up Next…

The Alberta Ballet Foundation
is proud to support

The Wizard of Oz

Welcome to the Canadian Premiere of Francesco Ventriglia’s The Wizard of Oz. The Alberta Ballet Foundation supports the enrichment of our Province through new productions such as this, which showcase the magic of storytelling through dance.

Donor contributions to our Endowment are matched through the Canada Cultural Investment Fund. With a goal to grow the Endowment to $20 million to ensure an annual disbursement of $1 million, the Alberta Ballet Foundation aims to provide financial stability to Alberta Ballet and Alberta Ballet School.

We are grateful to the donors of the Alberta Ballet Foundation who believe in the power of the arts to unite us all. Thank you for being part of this unforgettable journey down the Yellow Brick Road.

To learn more or make a donation, please connect with us at
PaulC@AlbertaBallet.com and be a part of keeping Alberta Ballet’s legacy live.

Paul Chambers
Executive Director
Alberta Ballet Foundation

Alfred Sorensen
Chair
Alberta Ballet Foundation

ALBERTA BALLET DONORS 2023/24 & 2024/25

We would like to extend a warm welcome to all of our guests this evening as we take a magical journey to the Land of Oz. As always, we extend our deepest gratitude to all of our donors who support Alberta Ballet and sincerely thank you for your contributions, support and dedication. If you notice an error or omission, please accept our apologies and kindly inform us at ElizabethR@AlbertaBallet.com.

Dance Circle Membership $1,500

Patron Program

Tier I $5,000 to $9,999

Tier II $10,000 +

We’ve prepared a full calendar of inspiring activity for our donors in the 2024/25 season!

If you’re a passionate Alberta Ballet subscriber, consider taking part in our donor activities.

To learn more, please contact us at ElizabethR@AlbertaBallet.com.

Elizabeth Reade
Director, Campaigns and Partnerships
403-245-4222 ext 510
ElizabethR@AlbertaBallet.com

A whole community is working behind-the-scenes,
helping us inspire you with dance!

 BOARD OF DIRECTORS (2024)

2024/25 GOVERNMENT FUNDERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS