Curtain Call Brings ‘The Wizard of Oz’ to Life at Havens Auditorium

Kokomo Curtain Call is set to bring the magic of Oz to life with its production of “The Wizard of Oz,” featuring a talented cast of local performers ages 6 to 44.

The musical, based closely on the 1939 original movie, follows the beloved tale of Dorothy Gale, a Kansas farm girl swept away by a tornado to the magical land of Oz.

“With this being the 85th anniversary of ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ some of the families who have children in the production had never seen the original movie,” said director Jeremy Leazenby-Bruce. “So some of them had to do their homework and watch it.”

Kokomo Curtain Call is a community-based theater group dedicated to providing local talent the opportunity to shine on stage.

Leazenby-Bruce said its production of “The Wizard of Oz” is a testament to their commitment to fostering creativity within the Kokomo area, uniting performers of all ages.

“We usually just open auditions for shows to children 8 and older, said Leazenby-Bruce, “but with the roles of the munchkins, we decided to open it up starting at age 6 for this show.”

For a handful of Curtain Call members, including 8-year-old Alyza Wilson this is their first show.

And for Wilson, who plays a munchkin, Curtain Call is much more than an after-school activity; it’s a way to stay active.

“I like the dancing part — it helps make your muscles stretch,” she said with a grin.

For others like Dorothy," played by 17-year-old Northwestern student Olivia Steele, Curtain Call is a way of life.

“I’ve been in musicals since first grade,” she said. “Working with the same people and meeting new people, it’s like a family," said Steele.

The show will be held at Havens Auditorium on the IU Kokomo campus, offering families and theater enthusiasts a chance to experience this timeless story right here in our community.

Mark your calendars for 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11 and 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12. Tickets are available online for $15 (plus a processing fee), with door tickets priced at $20. Don’t miss this opportunity to see Kokomo’s community members bring a cherished story to life!