There’s no place like the Arden — especially when you’re celebrating 50 productions of children’s theatre. This season, the beloved Philadelphia theatre is taking audiences over the rainbow with a fresh take on 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,' running Nov. 25 through Jan. 17, 2027.
Since launching its children’s theatre program in 1998 with 'Charlotte’s Web,' the Arden has welcomed more than 875,000 audience members, introducing generations of young people to the magic of live performance.
For this milestone production, award-winning director Whit MacLaughlin has adapted L. Frank Baum’s classic tale for the stage, marking his 27th children’s theatre production at the Arden. The story follows Dorothy’s journey of friendship, self-discovery and finding her way home.
MacLaughlin recently sat down with Metro to talk about the theatre’s milestone production, his approach to the story, and why introducing children to live theatre remains so important.
I undertook the adaptation because, well, it might be the hero story most at the heart of the American character; it’s far more attuned to character-building than to the acquisition of wealth or celebrity.
The story: Orphan girl, yes, Dorothy is an orphan, finds herself taking an epic journey to get back to what she discovers is her true home. (Shades of 'The Odyssey'!) It’s a myth that has traversed the globe as its many versions persist in the public imagination.
I wanted to see what power still resides in the original L. Frank Baum version, which has been overlooked in its almost infinite reiterations. I am bold enough to hope that I have uncovered the core of the story — minus the technicolor luminescence of the MGM movie musical. In Baum’s version, Dorothy develops into a fuller, richer being through this story and its application of high imagination.
“To make something real, first you have to imagine it.” This is how the play begins. What proceeds is Dorothy imagining a whole life in a truly alien environment, where she is thrust, unknowingly, into a position of great responsibility. Along the way, she sees incredible sights, makes real friends with fellow seekers, encounters some of the trickery of the world, and gets to know herself very deeply — insofar as she can, being only 12 years old.
My version is muscular, filled with humor and fellow-feeling, and relies wholeheartedly from beginning to end on the imagination of audience members, young and old.
I am a father of twin girls who are now 25-year-old women. I can’t stress enough how powerfully I resonate with the need for children to develop and maintain real friendships. It is perhaps a Theatre for the Young truism: I just want a friend. Someone to connect with throughout life, with and from the heart.
I can venture a guess about this. The first version of the play was directed by Terry Nolen, who initiated Arden Children’s Theatre with 'Charlotte’s Web.' I’ve directed it three times at the Arden subsequent to that first production. I believe that we return to it because of the beauty and simplicity of the story — 'humble,' it calls itself.
The story remains relevant and entertaining because of the values baked into its deeply felt understanding of friendship and service to others. Those sound like commonly understood virtues, maybe even homely, but I still marvel at the simple strength that EB White captures in the friendship of two outsider animals: a pig and a spider. The adaptation invites wonderful cross-creature contemplation of elemental truths.
I saw my mother play Wendy in 'Peter Pan.' That was truly, weirdly memorable. My mother’s name was Wendy, which came from the story. JM Barrie apparently championed that name, which really didn’t exist before 'Peter Pan.'
Subsequently, I have seen the most excellent work for children from all over the world. Some countries — in particular the Netherlands, Denmark, and Australia — produce amazing work for children. High quality. Some of my favorite theatre work ever. I borrow liberally.
It grabs the whole kid — mind, body, senses, spirit. Can’t be digitized. Must be live.
The Arden puts its money where its mouth is. It gives the stuff away. Everybody should see it!
I am fascinated by the unmagical Wizard, and the casual magic in the everyday. That said, I really dig the Munchkins. In our version, they munch. And not lollipops!
'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' opens at Arden Theatre, 40 N. 2nd Street, on Nov. 25 and runs through Jan. 17, 2027. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit ardentheatre.org
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