Smallscreen News

Be The Next Dorothy on Broadway, open auditions schedule, TV show too

By April MacIntyre Jul 14, 2010, 5:49 GMT

US director Michael Bay brings the WiZaRd to TV EPA/ANDREW GOMBERT

Those who have fantasized about becoming a real Broadway and smallscreen need to look no further than the Yellow Brick Road. 

The Harold Arlen Foundation is sponsoring a nationwide talent search to Be The Next Dorothy, which will be held exclusively at General Growth Properties (GGP) malls.

It’s personal for Sam Arlen, son of the legendary Wizard of Oz composer:  “We wanted to create a wholesome family contest and a show that would give us all a break from what seems to be a relentless assault on our innocence, just like my father did as composer of “The Wizard of Oz.’”

George Bugatti and Sam at the ASCAP Film and Television Awards in Los Angeles, CA.

If you are between the ages of 16-21 and can sing and act, then this is your chance to be cast in the musical, "WiZaRD,” which opens at New York City's Jazz at Lincoln Center in December 2010.  The musical, “WiZaRD," was created, written and directed by singer/crooner George Bugatti and is produced by the Harold Arlen Foundation.

Premise

“WiZaRD” is a musical centered on the works of Wizard of Oz composer Harold Arlen.  The show unfolds in the mythical radio studios of W-Z-R-D.  Wendell Owens, host of the radio show Absolutely Arlen, weaves stories through production numbers, with the help of WZRD’s in-house radio players.  Audiences are taken on a journey from the Golden Age of Hollywood, to the Broadway Stage, through the Cotton Club Years and then to the land of OZ!  “WiZaRD” premiered in the summer of 2008 at the Ford Amphitheater in Los Angeles and has since been work-shopped at performing arts centers across the country.

Be The Next Dorothy kicks off at Glendale Galleria in Glendale, California on Saturday, July 31st and the winners will be announced on September 3rd at the South Street Seaport in New York City. 

For complete contest rules and registration visit: www.wizardthemusical.com.

Tony nominee producer Tom Gregory (Guys & Dolls) will emcee all 11 auditions. See below for tour dates.

Once the judges have narrowed down the contestants to the final three, America decides who will Be The Next Dorothy.  The entire competition will be filmed for an online reality series where America can follow all the contestants during the entire 11-city run.

In addition, director Michael Bay’s production company, The Institute, signed on to bring Be The Next Dorothy to television. 

“Family entertainment on television is sorely needed in the marketplace and I believe this project can be huge,” said Bay’s Co-Founder and Executive Producer Scott Gardenhour.

Be The Next Dorothy Tour Dates

Glendale Galleria
July 31 & August 1
Glendale, CA (Los Angeles)

Fashion Show
August 2 & 3
Las Vegas, NA

Park Meadows
August 5 & 6
Littleton, CO (Denver)

Stonebriar Centre
August 11 & 12
Frisco, TX (Dallas)

Northbrook Court
August 14 & 15
Northbrook, IL (Chicago)

Saint Louis Galleria
August 17 & 18
St. Louis, MO

Regency Square Mall
August 23 & 24
Jacksonville, FL

North Point Mall
August 25 & 26
Alpharetta, GA (Atlanta)

Natick Collection
August 28 & 29
Natick, MA (Boston)

Paramus Park
August 30 & 31
Paramus, NJ

South Street Seaport
September 1 - 3

The Harold Arlen Foundation was founded in 2008 by the composer’s son Sam Arlen, and business partners George Bugatti and Mary Shriver.  It is also the Foundation’s mission is to provide free music classes and theater tickets to the under-served children of public school systems across America.   www.haroldarlenfoundation.org