Photos: Evans Wears Ruby Slippers, Oz Extends

Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of The Wizard of Oz has extended its book period at the London Palladium and is now selling tickets through to 15 January 2012. This week has also seen Sophie Evans, the Welsh runner-up on Lloyd Webber's BBC search for Dorothy, filling the iconic ruby slippers while Over the Rainbow winner Danielle Hope is on holiday.

Evans, who typically only performs on Tuesday evenings, started her week-long run as Dorothy on 2 May with a media night held last night (3 May 2011). During her curtain call Lloyd Webber was on hand to present an elated Evans with flowers as she took her bows with the rest of the cast.

Danielle Hope stars as Dorothy alongside Michael Crawford as the Wizard, Edward Baker-Duly as the Tin Man, David Ganly as the Lion, Paul Keating as the Scarecrow, Emily Tierney as Glinda, and Hannah Waddingham as the Wicked Witch of the West.

If you want to catch Evans' perform as Dorothy, make sure to book your tickets for this week or any Tuesday performance. Additionally, she will be filling in for Hope for two weeks starting 5 September 2011.

TO SCROLL THROUGH ALL OF WIZARD OF OZ’S MEDIA NIGHT PHOTOS,
JUST CLICK ON THE "NEXT >" LINKS BELOW THE FOLLOWING FRAME.
PHOTOS BY DAN WOOLLER FOR WHATSONSTAGE.COM.

The Wizard of Oz, which opened in the West End on 1 March 2011 (previews from 7 February 2011), combines the much-loved songs from the 1939 Oscar-winning film with new songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. The production features old favourites, from the show including "Over the Rainbow", "Follow the Yellow Brick Road", "If I Only Had a Heart", and "We're Off to See the Wizard", as well as brand new songs, including Dorothy's opening number "Nobody Understands Me" and Hannah Waddingham's solo number as the Wicked Witch of the West "Red Shoes Blues". The full cast album will be released on 9 May 2011.

The musical had its last major London outing at the Royal Festival Hall in summer 2008, when Sian Brooke played Dorothy in a cast that also featured Gary Wilmot, Adam Cooper and Roy Hudd. Frank L Baum wrote the first 1903 stage version of his 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The story is best known from the 1939 Hollywood film.

The stage musical version, adapted by John Kane from the Warner Bros movie, was premiered by the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Barbican in 1987, with a young Imelda Staunton as Dorothy. It has music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and EY Harburg with the new production containing additional music and lyrics by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

Directed by Jeremy Sams and choreographed by Arlene Phillips, The Wizard of Oz has set and costumes designed by Robert Jones. The show is produced by Bill Kenwright and Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group.

- Brenna Weingus

Related Content

Booking Tickets & Show Listings
	The Wizard of Oz Listing Page

Internal Links
	Des O'Connor confirmed as Wizard of Oz, show finishes in September - 9th May 2012 news
	O'Connor last wizard? Kenwright's Love Never Dies tours Jan? - 2nd May 2012 gossip
	Tim Rice to be honoured with Special Award at Oliviers - 16th Mar 2012 news
	Danielle Hope is new Les Mis Eponine, Tam Mutu plays Javert - 9th Mar 2012 news
	Russell Grant takes over from Michael Crawford as Wizard of Oz - 23rd Jan 2012 news
	Sophie Evans takes over from Danielle Hope in Wizard of Oz from 7 Feb - 20th Jan 2012 news
	Photos: Andrew Lloyd Webber's reality casting recruits - 18th Jan 2012 photos
	Musicals Extend: Wizard, Mamma Mia! & Thriller Live - 4th Oct 2011 news
	Cast: Tucker & Crawford Extend, Full CFT Sweeney - 2nd Aug 2011 news
	Cats Prowls Back to West End in 2013, Oz Tour??? - 28th Jun 2011 gossip
	WOS TV: Up Close With ... The Wizard of Oz's Danielle Hope - 6th Jun 2011 interviews
	Galas: Toto Winner in Wizard, Caird's Challenge - 19th Apr 2011 news
	Review Round-up: Are Critics Friends of Dorothy? - 2nd Mar 2011 roundup
	The Wizard of Oz - 2nd Mar 2011 reviews
	1st Night Photos: Caine & Co Off to Meet Wizard - 2nd Mar 2011 photos
	Show Pics: Hope & Crawford in the Emerald City - 1st Mar 2011 photos
	Opening: Million Dollar, Wizard of Oz & Sapphires - 28th Feb 2011 news
	Waddingham Heads for Oz, Evans Wicked Fiyero - 25th Nov 2010 news
	Palladium Marks Centenary, Renovations & Tours - 12th Oct 2010 news
	Hannah Waddingham Casts Another Spell in Oz??? - 27th Sep 2010 gossip
	Michael Crawford Returns to Stage as Wizard - 24th Sep 2010 news
	Vote in WOS Poll: Next Musical for TV Casting? - 17th Jun 2010 news
	Tim Rice Follows Yellow Brick Road to Oz??? - 25th May 2010 gossip
	End of the Rainbow for Lloyd Webber & BBC??? - 25th May 2010 gossip
	Danielle Wins Ruby Slippers in Rainbow Finale - 24th May 2010 news
	Top Ten TV Contestants & Where to Find Them - 18th May 2010 features
	Ex-Dorothy Steph Set Sights on Sister Act??? - 18th May 2010 gossip
	Final Three Dorothys Named in Rainbow Contest - 17th May 2010 news
	Public Booking Opens for Wizard with New Songs - 7th May 2010 news
	TV-cast Wizard of Oz Moves into Palladium, 1 Mar - 28th Apr 2010 news
	Ten Dorothys & Wild Card Battle Over the Rainbow - 29th Mar 2010 news
	Lloyd Webber Searches for TV Dorothy from 26 Mar - 12th Mar 2010 news
	Church & Hancock Improve BBC Rainbow Expertise??? - 19th Feb 2010 gossip
	Can Lloyd Webber Find a Dorothy with 'Attitude'??? - 14th Jan 2010 gossip
	Want to Go Over the Rainbow with the BBC??? - 17th Nov 2009 gossip
	BBC & Lloyd Webber Cast West End Wizard of Oz - 11th Sep 2009 news
	Lloyd Webber Cancels Oz TV Casting Show??? - 20th Jul 2009 gossip
	Lloyd Webber & Slater Pen New Songs for Oz??? - 3rd Apr 2009 gossip