When a tornado of epic proportions launches Dorothy Gale's Kansas farmhouse over a rainbow into the land of Oz and onto the Wicked Witch of the East, young Dorothy discovers that she's liberated the population of Munchkinland from an oppressive tyranny while making a bitter enemy of the Wicked Witch of the West. With mysteriously magical ruby slippers on her feet and enthusiastic instructions to "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" in her head, Dorothy and her trusty pup Toto embark on an adventure to find the Emerald City and get a helping hand home from the Wizard of Oz himself. Along the way, the duo are joined by a ragtag band of misfits, each suffering from his own set of problems, and all easy prey for a vengeance-seeking, black magic-wielding witch. Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center opens its 2008-09 Broadway season with a grand stage production of The Wizard of Oz musical that features an art deco, Technicolor-inspired set, special effects and even flying monkeys. Oct. 14-19, 7:30 p.m. Tues.-Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 and 8 p.m. Sat., 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sun., Carol Morsani Hall-TBPAC, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa, $38.50-$67.50 (special admission during "Broadway Family Day" on Wed., Oct. 15), 813-229-7827, tbpac.org.
