March 20, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Alys Stephens Center Kids' Club presents its biggest children's show yet April 19-20 with "Down the Yellow Brick Road," an interactive show featuring Dorothy and her friends from Oz. Performances are at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, April 19, and 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, April 20, in the Alys Stephens Center's Odess Theatre, 1200 10th Ave. S. Tickets are $7. Call 205-975-2787 or go to www.alysstephens.org/.

"Down the Yellow Brick Road" is the Alys Stephens Center's most ambitious original production. Written by Jerry Sims and adapted from L. Frank Baum's book "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," the story offers lessons on self confidence, friendship, courage and using one's imagination. Through the generosity of a grant from Jane Stephens Comer, this adaptation of a timeless classic features elaborate sets, fanciful costumes, special effects, a large cast and greater audience involvement than ever before. Children in attendance can become part of the story and help "imagineers" create the cyclone that takes Dorothy's house to Munchkinland. They'll join Dorothy, Scarecrow, the Tin Woodsman and the Cowardly Lion in song, imagination and magic exercises as they help Dorothy find her way back home to Kansas.

Past original ASC productions include "Christmas Comes to Mugwumpville," "Yuletide in Dogtown," "So You Want to Be a Star" and "Mad Hatter's Tea Party." Writer/director Sims and ASC Education and Outreach Director Kimberly Kirklin produce the original shows for the ASC Kid's Club series, which feature thrilling, one-hour performances designed to introduce kids to the performing arts.

The Alys Stephens Center also will present four educational outreach performances of this show free of charge for local schools. The show is sponsored by Comer, Patty McDonald, Cultural Alliance of Greater Birmingham, Jefferson County Commission, The Birmingham News and Charter Media.