retold in an imaginative narrative by Ballet Memphis' Steven McMahon that has been heralded by Dance Magazine as "something to celebrate."
This vivid 23rd season opener—a perfect blend of classic and modern movement—will please all the longtime fans of the story, as well as the adventure seekers and young at heart. We'll also announce our FUSE contest winner and kick off the season with a joyous new short work, also choreographed by Steven.
Tickets start at just $5!
See Wizard of Oz in the Making
We love it when people drop by our studio and get a real sense of what it takes to put a performance together and the physicality of the work. Check out this clip to see our own Scarecrow, Travis Bradley, and Dorothy, Rachel Shumake, learning their moves.
www.youtube.com/?v=niRCrCDBYU8
The Choreographer
Steven McMahon began his dance training at the Dance School of Scotland
and then at Ailey School in New York, where he trained from 2001 to
2004. McMahon has choreographed works for Ballet Memphis including What Your Soul Sings, Appeteaser, The Wizard of Oz: There's No Place Like Home and Andante from Connections: Fashion.
Steven received much acclaim for his retelling of Carnival of the Animals last season, with the reality and tenderness that he took each animal into modern day life. This season, Steven not only restaged Wizard for The Orpheum's magnificent stage, and incorporated new cast and scenes into the ballet, but he has also done a new short ballet - just 9 minutes! - that will set the stage for our entire season theme of celebrating joy. You can also see Steven's work in this season's Connections: Food and in the spring as part of our Connections: Body & Soul performance. Last season Steven was featured as one of ArtsMemphis' artists to watch with an ArtsMemphis TV segment on his role in last season's Firebird and the choreographing of Carnival of the Animals. In his free time, Steven listens to music and is learning to play the
guitar. He is from Glasgow, Scotland, and joined the company in 2004.
See Wizard of Oz Characters Up Close
Join us for these community events that will
give you and your kids an informal chance to see this original ballet
in the making, have photo ops with the dancers in costume and learn more about dance.
Oct 16 & 17, 7pm & 8pm each night, Le Bonheur Zoo Boo
Oct 24, 10a-12p, First Congo, Midtown - FREE open rehearsal
Oct 24 & 25, 12pm-5pm both days, RiverArtsFest - FREE
Oct 29, 11:30a-1p, Lowenstein Building, Downtown - FREE open rehearsal
Tickets
Orpheum seating consists of five categories ranging from $5 to $70. Wizard of Oz is included with your season ticket package, where you
can enjoy free parking for the performance, or may be purchased
individually by calling our box office at 901-737-7322 or purchasing
online.
