Tim Collins/Contributor
The Victoria Operatic Society (VOS) is at it again and their upcoming interpretation of the classic Wizard of Oz is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
“We’re a non-profit charity organization that strives to give aspiring singers and performers the opportunity to show off and further develop their talents. These are amazing performers and we’re all very excited to be bringing the magic of Oz to Victoria,” said Dan Comeau, the director of the upcoming show.
“The Wizard of Oz is such a classic and beloved story that people all know, and I’m very excited to be bringing it to our stage.”
The VOS has been around since 1945 and, in that time, they’ve seen a host of talent cross their stage, some of whom have gone on to professional careers in the performing arts.
And it’s not the first time that the VOS has tackled classic tales. Last year, they presented Beauty and the Beast and before that Frozen. They’ve presented Grease, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Annie – well, you get the idea.
“We may be an all-amateur, all-volunteer production, but that doesn’t mean that the shows are at all amateurish. We have a Broadway scale to our shows. It’s really quite amazing,” said Comeau.
The upcoming production of Wizard of Oz features 18 adults and 13 children in the cast, and they’re all local, talented performers with a love of theatre and an unmatched energy and enthusiasm.
“This isn’t just a job for these people. They have a passion and energy that you’d have trouble matching in a professional company,” Comeau said.
Over the past 70-plus years, VOS has produced Broadway musicals, light operas, and Gilbert and Sullivan productions, using and promoting local talent on and off the stage. And they are growing stronger every year.
Wizard of Oz opens at the McPherson Playhouse on Nov. 24 and runs until Dec. 3, with performances Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The weekends feature both an afternoon matinee and evening performance.
For tickets, visit rmts.bc.ca/production-detail-pages/2023-mcpherson-playhouse/the-wizard-of-oz/.