Bloom Carrera is Dorothy and Baloo plays Toto
Follow the yellow brick road to PCPA‘s reimagining of a beloved classic brought to life through a high-flying collaboration with 2 Ring Circus.
The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum with music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg runs November 5 through December 22 in the Marian Theatre at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria.
The second collaboration between PCPA and 2 Ring Circus—following their previous partnership on Disney’s The Little Mermaid in 2019—includes arial stunts and acrobatics choregraphed by Joshua Dean, artistic director of 2 Ring Circus.
Also featuring a heart-soaring score and spectacular theatrical storytelling, this reimagined production is filled with music and breathtaking spectacle while staying rooted in the story that has charmed audiences for generations.
When Dorothy is swept away from Kansas and lands somewhere over the rainbow, she embarks on an extraordinary journey home where she encounters unforgettable friends and legendary foes, and ultimately discovers that what she had been searching for may have been within her all along.
“The Wizard of Oz is a story that is centered on the human heart. Dorothy’s heart,” according to director Mark Booher. “She is our way into the story, and so, by abstraction, the story finds its relevance—its sticking point—in the heart of each person that sees it. That’s what makes it timeless. That’s what makes it a classic.”
This production marks a significant moment in PCPA history, as it is Booher’s final production with the organization following a remarkable 27-year tenure, including 21 years as artistic director. The Wizard of Oz was the first production Booher directed at PCPA, making his return to the story as his final production a meaningful bookend to his career with the organization.
The Wizard of Oz is a story about home, which is particularly fitting for Santa Maria local Bloom Carrera, who steps into Dorothy’s ruby red slippers.
“This has been a real dream come true for me,” Carrera says. “Dorothy Gale is a character I’ve been wanting to play for years. I really relate to her yearning to belong somewhere, but I think everyone on Earth can relate to that feeling as well. It’s why Dorothy is such a beloved character.”
Every Dorothy needs a Toto, and PCPA welcomes Baloo, a dog who was “born to play Toto” according to his owner, first-year student Mozart Pierson.
“Baloo is a five-year-old little mutt with a big personality,” Pierson says. “Like Toto, he is always up for an adventure. He’s smart as a whip and sweeter than candy.”
Other characters, animal and otherwise, are played by PCPA veterans Kitty Balay (Aunt Em), Erik Stein (Cowardly Lion), Mike Fiore (Tin Man), Alexander Pimentel (Scarecrow), and Andrew Philpot (The Wizard). Molly Stilliens is the Wicked Witch of the West, and Christen Celaya is Glinda, the Good Witch of the North.
Benjamin Franklin, co-managing director of 2 Ring Circus, plays Uncle Henry. Founded in 2011 and based out of New York City, 2 Ring Circus specializes in harmoniously adding the circus arts into theatrical productions.
The creative team includes music director Paul Marszalkowski. scenic designer Jason Bolen, costume designer Tracee Bear, lighting designer Keith W. Rice, sound designer Jon Zielke, and stage manager Jack D. Myles.