{"id":242018,"date":"2026-10-13T14:40:48","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T00:40:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=242018"},"modified":"2026-10-13T14:43:42","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T00:43:42","slug":"reimagines-magic-of-oz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/10\/13\/reimagines-magic-of-oz\/","title":{"rendered":"Kennedy Theatre reimagines the magic of Oz"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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The musical is designed for young audiences and features creations made with recycled or reused materials.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Yellow Brick Road begins with a little imagination and things others have thrown away.<\/p>\n

At the University of Hawaiʻi<\/span> at M\u0101noa\u2019s Kennedy Theatre<\/a>, discarded materials become the world of The Wizard of Oz<\/a>. The musical runs October 23–31, opening the Department of Theatre & Dance\u2019s season, Finding Home in the Extraordinary.<\/p>\n

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The show reimagines the classic story and features inventive puppetry.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Directed by graduate student Jack Romans, the production draws on the resourcefulness of childhood play. Everyday objects take on new life as the Yellow Brick Road, the Emerald City and the familiar characters Dorothy and Toto meet along their journey.<\/p>\n

“Everyone deserves quality art, and everything has the potential to become part of it. Our Land(fill) of Oz transforms discarded materials into Dorothy\u2019s adventure, inviting audiences of all ages to wonder, reimagine and see new possibilities in the world around them,” Romans said.<\/p>\n

Familiar songs, inventive designs and playful storytelling invite children and adults to rediscover Oz. The production celebrates creativity and giving discarded objects a new purpose. At its heart is Dorothy\u2019s timeless search for home, alongside companions discovering their own courage, compassion and wisdom.<\/p>\n

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Dorothy (Ayami Kinoshita) and Toto (puppet)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The closing matinee performance on October 31 brings Halloween into Oz. Audiences are encouraged to wear costumes, especially creations made with recycled or reused materials. Festivities include a costume parade and contest before the show and photos with the cast afterward.<\/p>\n

Ticket information<\/h2>\n

Performances run for two weekends: October 23 and 24 at 7:30 p.m., October 25 at 2 p.m., October 30 at 7:30 p.m. and October 31 at 2 p.m. A pre-show chat on Saturday, October 24, begins at 6:45 p.m. The musical is recommended for ages 5 and older.<\/p>\n

Regular tickets range from $9 for 糖心视频<\/abbr> M\u0101noa students to $25 for adults. Special October 24 pricing includes $6 糖心视频<\/abbr> M\u0101noa student tickets and $15 adult tickets.<\/p>\n

For tickets and details, visit Kennedy Theatre\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Everyday objects become Oz\u2019s iconic places and characters.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Familiar songs, inventive designs and playful storytelling invite children and adults to rediscover Oz.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":242024,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[1471,131,76,9],"class_list":["post-242018","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","tag-college-of-arts-languages-and-letters","tag-kennedy-theatre","tag-theatre-and-dance","tag-uh-manoa","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t