Follow the Yellow Brick Road to the Ritz Theatre Company and see the Wizard of Oz
The Wizard of Oz stands as the quintessential American fairy tale because it blends elements of fantasy with distinctly American values such as self-reliance, the search for identity, and the importance of home. Unlike traditional European fairy tales rooted in castles, royalty, and fate, L. Frank Baum’s story centers on a Midwestern girl thrust into a surreal world where courage, intelligence, and compassion—not noble birth—are the keys to success. Set against the backdrop of the American heartland, Dorothy’s journey down the Yellow Brick Road reflects a uniquely American optimism: the belief that ordinary people can overcome extraordinary challenges through friendship, perseverance, and inner strength.
Director Robert Repici said, “Without a doubt, the Wizard of Oz is one of the most legendary and iconic films ever made. It [has] inspired and captured the hearts of audiences around the world for generations. Originally released in 1939, the film has made a momentous and lasting impact on our popular culture, more or less imprinting itself on us and influencing how we analyze and scrutinize story structure and character development. Dorothy’s journey is the quintessential journey of cinematic heroes, epitomizing the classic narrative framework put forward by mythologist Joseph Campbell. You have the call to adventure and the return home, and Dorothy endures each vital step of the hero’s journey and experiences realization - even revelation.”
“Before the film proper even begins, there is a title card at the end of the opening credits:
‘For nearly forty years, this story has given faithful service to the Young in Heart, and Time has been powerless to put its kindly philosophy out of fashion. To those of you who have been faithful to it in return … and to the Young in Heart … we dedicate this picture.’
“And there it was. Just like that. Summarized neatly and efficiently before the film even begins.”
“Fittingly, we’re approaching the show in a timeless, sort of stylized manner, relying on the theatricality of a simplified set. There is a clear-cut focus on the story and character more than spectacle. We’re essentially creating this production of The Wizard of Oz as a roadshow, a sort of traveling theatrical exhibition. I believe that we have the potential to hone in on the essence of the story without really losing any of the magic- the magic is in the simplicity and the power of the message. I’m happy to let the audience witness us creating the illusion for them so they can use their own imaginations. During the overture, sure, we could just play the music, but we’re actually going to let the audience actively see us set the scenes. That flavor can carry on throughout the show rather than getting bogged down in literal representations of scenery. The Ritz is a small stage space, but more importantly, I just love that type of theater. The ensemble itself creates the twister and the magical land of OZ.”
“The characters really resonate with me. Dorothy is always quick to defend someone who needs it. We see that quite a bit in the Kansas section. The farmhand Zeke turns into the Cowardly Lion - when he is made fun of by the other two, Dorothy is very quick to defend him. The Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion - each embodies these human vulnerabilities, yet together, they demonstrate the power of collaboration. We get to know them in Kansas in the first scenes of the play, which kind of fleshes out the personalities. So, it’s obviously really important to establish those characters and to foreshadow who they will become in the land of Oz.
Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion, and even Dorothy - all think they want something. Brains. A heart. Courage. Home. But really, what they really need to become their true selves is each other and the collaboration, the teamwork, and the love they show one another over the course of this journey. That’s what all four of them really need.”
“There’s this sort of extra element to our production at the Ritz. That involves the history of the theater itself. The building was erected in 1927 - almost 100 years ago. We’re on the verge of celebrating our 100th birthday as a building. The original film of the Wizard of Oz premiered in 1939, and the Ritz was originally a movie theater! So, putting these pieces together, it sort of dawned on me that there was a good chance that the Ritz showed the Wizard of Oz during its original theatrical release back in 1939. We reached out to the Camden County Historical Society to see if they had any visual proof or documentation, and they were happy to verify it with an October 1939 edition of the Courier Post! There was an ad in that paper that showed the Wizard of Oz, which was shown right here in 1939! It’s a tad surreal that in 2025, again more than 85 years later, we’re showing this story again at the Ritz. The medium is different, theater versus film, but the story and the message are just the same. I’m excited that in those seats 85 years ago, audiences were seeing this film for the very first time, and now, perhaps, kids get to see the play for the very first time on our stage! Again, it all lends itself to that theme of timelessness.”
The Wizard of Oz has inspired countless versions and spin-offs because its core themes—self-discovery, the power of friendship, and the longing for home—are universally resonant and endlessly adaptable. Dorothy’s companions—the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion—each embody human vulnerabilities, yet together, they demonstrate the power of collaboration and mutual support. This show seeks to get to the heart of that timeless story.
