Off to see the wizard

There's no knowing where a tornado could take you, or what perils the Yellow Brick road will lead you into. But one thing is for certain, its going to be the adventure of a lifetime.

The Wendy Whatmore Academy presents 'The Wiz' – a lighthearted musical adaptation of the famous American classic 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.' The production which features a huge cast of 60 actors and actresses between the ages of nine to 21, comes complete with some fantastic songs and dancing. You can expect to meet adorable munchkins, fearsome winged monkeys, terrifying Kalidahs and mesmerizing poppies, together with many other interesting characters in this production.

In the role of The Wiz himself is 19-year-old Avon Fernando. But don't go expecting a solemn little man – this wizard can really move to the groove. In the role of Dorothy is Melody Perera (17). Melody is a great singer, and her voice simply soars on tracks like, "Be a Lion." Mario Wijayawardhana (14), makes for a delightfully funny Scarecrow. Anush De Costa (21) is the sweet, tap dancing Tin Man, while Wasaam Ismail makes for a cute but cool Cowardly Lion. Keep an eye out for Ramla Waha, the amazingly evil Wicked Witch of the West and for Carlene de Fry, the Good Witch of the North.

Now 'The Wiz' tells the story of Dorothy who finds herself stuck in Oz – far, far away from her home in Kansas. Transported by a rogue tornado, Dorothy has no idea how to get back to Aunt Em, Uncle Henry and Toto. And if things can possibly get worse, it looks like her house has just landed on the Wicked Witch of the East. (Incidentally, though the Wicked Witch is pretty much squished, her lovely silver slippers are entirely untouched.) But Dorothy has unwittingly made an awful lot of people happy. In fact, hundreds of Munchkins have been freed from the cruel tyranny of the witch... and this is only the beginning.

Despite their gratitude, all Dorothy wants is to go home. She eventually discovers that her only chance of getting back to Kansas lies with The Wiz – a powerful wizard who rules in the Emerald City of Oz. Setting off down the Yellow Brick Road, Dorothy soon finds she's not the only one who could use a little help from the great man. The Scarecrow who wishes he had brains, the Tin Man who longs for a heart and the Cowardly Lion who wants courage, all join Dorothy on her quest to find the Wiz. But the road is long and scary, and nothing is quite what they expect it to be. Will Dorothy and her friends triumph? Will friendship, kindness and love turn out to be the best magic one can have? Watch The Wiz to find out...

'The Wiz' is directed by Tracy Holsinger and will be on at the Lionel Wendt from March 23 – 25, from 7 p.m. onwards. Tickets are currently available at the Wendt. Sponsors for the event are ETV, TNL, Lite 89.2 , Daily Mirror and The Sunday Times.