"Wizard of Oz" Ballet at Dogwood on April 15

Classic story comes to life in dance

Photography: Ray Nard Imagemaker

N3-There is nothing quite  like The Wizard of Oz.
One of my earliest television memories was seeing this story come to life on a black and white Sylvania console TV. It was around 1958-59 and color hadn't made it to our household yet so there was no dramatic transformation when Dorothy landed from colorless Kansas into the technicolor paradise of Oz. Even the Emerald City was just kind of gray.
But it was still magnificent.
I’ve watched it dozens of times since with my kids, and my grandkids and on one occasion  accompanied by the Dark Side of the Moon album.
I also read the book written by L.Frank Baum in 1900.
It is a truly great story via book or movie.
And now we all have a chance to see it as a ballet. Here. At the Dogwood.
Here’s the skinny:

Fans of the classic story can see "The Wizard of Oz" ballet performed by Grand Rapids Ballet School Junior Company at the Dogwood Center on Saturday, April 15 at 3:00 p.m.  Bring the entire family and go down the yellow brick road with Dorothy, the cowardly lion, the tin man, the scarecrow, and the wicked witch.

"The Wizard of Oz" features a talented cast of student dancers, inventive choreography by school director Attila Mosolygo and delivers a professional-level show that is fun for all ages.  The school company completed performances of the "Wizard of Oz" ballet in Grand Rapids during March, and are now excited to bring their production for a Newaygo County audience.

This program is funded in part by the Fremont Area Community Foundation.
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Tickets are $17.50 for adults, $10 for children 18 and under and are available through the Dogwood Center Box Office, NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont, or on-line at www.dogwoodcenter.com. For information, phone 231.924.8885. The Dogwood Center is located one mile east of downtown Fremont.