Dorothy, Toto and friends will be traveling down the Yellow Brick Road to bring the classic MGM movie The Wizard of Oz to life in College Station.
MSC OPAS will host The Wizard of Oz at Texas A&M on Tues. Feb. 20 and Wed. Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices begin at $32, with student rush tickets priced at $25.
Madison Hughes, education senior and Director of Operations for MSC OPAS, said she is thrilled A&M students will have an opportunity to experience the legendary musical for themselves.
“I think everyone knows the story of The Wizard of Oz, but I wonder how much people our age know how it changed society,” Hughes said. “It was one of the first color movies. If people our age and children are brought to this show, they’ll have some sort of new appreciation for this.”
In addition to presenting professional theatre, music and dance performances, Hughes said MSC OPAS brings some of the best Broadway plays to Rudder Theatre.
“Some students don’t know that we bring Broadway musicals to campus,” Hughes said. “I think if people gave it a chance they would get that. No matter if you’re an athlete at A&M or a communication major at A&M, you can get something out of [the theatre].”
Rachel Fuqua, agricultural leadership and development junior and MSC OPAS Director of Community Operations, said she believes it is important for students to take a break from studying and enjoy the performing arts.
“I am excited for the overall experience of the performance: the music, costumes, sets and acting,” Fuqua said. “I have grown up watching The Wizard of Oz and find myself singing and quoting the movie frequently. I am ecstatic to see this movie come to life on stage.”
Ambur Duron, education senior, said she enjoys watching musicals because it is how she and her family spend time together. She will be attending the Wednesday performance and said she doesn’t want anyone to spoil the experience for her.
“I like to be surprised so I don’t like to know any bad reviews,” Duron said. “I just want to go in and love it. Afterwards, I’ll go and read reviews. I think they did great all of the time.”
Hughes said she is most excited to experience new songs and scenes featured in the performance.
“I’m excited and I didn’t think I was going to be,” Hughes said. “If that’s how I am and I like theatre, I think people of all ages will really like this.”
For students such as Duron, The Wizard of Oz will provide a fun, upbeat atmosphere perfect for those in the first round of exams.
“I am hoping every song gets stuck in my head at the end of the night,” Duron said. “Tests get me so stressed out but I love going to the shows because I can de-stress for a little bit and listen to the songs all night.”
Fuqua said students should utilize the availability of world class entertainment that OPAS brings to the A&M campus.
“I hope that the audience is reminded that you don’t need a wizard to complete you,” Fuqua said. “This is a fantastic story full of magic, fun and friendship every step down the yellow brick road.”