Beth Fowler Dance Company – The Wizard of Oz and Swan Lake

This March, the stage will leap from black and white into brilliant shades of emerald green and ruby red, as the Beth Fowler Dance Company and School of Dance takes you ove

r the rainbow, for a special double feature of “The Wizard of Oz” and “Swan Lake.”

Dancers from Beth Fowler’s studios in Genoa and St. Charles will dazzle audiences during four high-flying performances at the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St., DeKalb, on Friday, March 13, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 14, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 15, at 2 p.m.

The presentation of “The Wizard of Oz” will include flying characters, including the Wicked Witch of the
West and Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, and more, who will be lofted above the stage with the aid of theatrical effects company Vertigo.
Each child’s ticket includes a Meet and Greet with photo opportunities for your munchkins backstage
with Dorothy and friends following the show.

Lydia Jacobson, of DeKalb, will dance the role of Dorothy. Jacobson, a senior at DeKalb High School, said she feels a connection to the character of Dorothy Gale, that only begins with their heartland roots in a community surrounded by corn. Jacobson, who has danced with the Beth Fowler studio since 2012, said she knew immediately this year that Dorothy was a role she wanted to dance. “It just felt right,” she said.

When asked to select her favorite vacation destination, for instance, Jacobson chose Iowa. “Because I get to see my family,” she said. Jacobson said she and Dorothy are both “helpful and hopeful.” “I know if someone had asked to join me on a road to making their dreams come true, I would definitely help them along,” Jacobson said.

The beloved classic, The Wizard of Oz, has been staged and choreographed by artistic director Beth Fowler, featuring music from the classic 1939 film adaptation of the novel by author L. Frank Baum. Stage effects company Vertigo will allow dancers and crew to feature the flying witches, monkeys and vultures, along with Glinda’s floating bubble and other surprises Dorothy and her friends will encounteron their trip down the Yellow Brick Road to find the wonderful Wizard, send Dorothy home to Kansas and make all their dreams come true.

The role of Glinda will be alternately portrayed by dancers Emily Fox, of West Chicago, and Brooke Bend, of St. Charles.

Dancers Olivia Brown, of West Chicago, and Abby Lewis, of St. Charles, will play The Wicked Witch.
Other featured roles include:
Scarecrow – Tallory Wendell, of Belvidere, and Brooke Baurer, of Geneva
Tin Man – Kamryn King, of St. Charles, and Emily Belzey, of South Elgin

Cowardly Lion – Hannah Fugiel, of Elgin, and Mia Herman, of St. Charles Other flying characters will include a flying monkey and flying vultures. A large cast of other local dancers from the Beth Fowler Dance Company and School will complete the ensemble, dancing the roles of munchkins, creatures of the forest, citizens of Emerald City and other beloved characters from the Merry Old Land of Oz.

The double feature will open with excerpts of Swan Lake, the classical ballet performed to the mesmerizing music of composer Tchaikovsky. Featured Beth Fowler Dance Company dancers Becky Baert, of Genoa, and Anne Fritsch, of St. Charles, will take on the iconic roles of the Black Swan and White Swan, respectively.

Tickets for Swan Lake and Wizard of Oz are now available at BethFowlerDanceCompany.com or by calling the Egyptian Theatre box office at 815-758-1225.

Purchase tickets online now at the links below!

Wizard of Oz/Swan Lake Cast 2020