In case you’re wondering how Pittsburgh CLO can stage a musical in the vast expanse of Heinz Field, don’t worry — the audience won’t be straining to see the performers from the upper decks.
When the company presents “The Wizard of Oz” July 8-10 on the Steelers’ home turf, “We’ll be performing on a stage in the end zone, with 5,000 seats,” said Executive Producer Mark Fleischer. “We’ll be adding runways, video screens, three cameras for closeups and a live orchestra.”
Seats will be on the field and in nearby stands.
The production is the first of two-show “Summer Under the Stars” July partnership with the Steelers that also will feature an original musical revue, “A Broadway Musical Celebration,” July 21-24.
Pittsburgh CLO’s take on the beloved tale of the Kansas farm girl who travels over the rainbow to discover that “there’s no place like home” promises to be “unlike any before, complete with cutting-edge digital scenery, thrilling effects, a live orchestra, and a talented ensemble of returning local performers,” according to a release.
Broadway star Jessica Grove, who will play Dorothy Gale, played the role at age 15 at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, and on the national tour alongside Mickey Rooney and Eartha Kitt. She received a Jefferson Award nomination for her portrayal and can be heard on the 1998 Grammy-nominated cast recording.
She will be joined by Dan DeLuca as Scarecrow, Evan Ruggiero as Tin Man, Drew Leigh Williams as Lion, Lisa Ann Goldsmith as the Wicked Witch, Melessie Clark as Aunt Em/Glinda, Jeffrey Howell as Oz and LaTrea Rembert as Uncle Henry.
Special season
“Summer Under the Stars” is special for a number of reasons, Fleischer said.
It marks the beginning of CLO’s 75th anniversary season and a return to live performances after the pandemic hiatus.
“It’s our 75th anniversary, so we want to do it big and do it right,” Fleischer said. “We lost 252 public performances last year, so it’s exciting to be back.
“We’ll be looking back at our roots and hoping to pull the community together in the aftermath of covid,” he said.
“Our musicals started in 1946 at Pitt Stadium and, 75 years later, in a full circle moment, we are back outdoors,” said Van Kaplan, CEO of Pittsburgh CLO, when the shows were announced. “We are so grateful to the Steelers and Heinz Field for making this happen.”
“The Wizard of Oz” was “chosen very deliberately” for the occasion, Fleischer said.
“It’s a show about finding your way home,” he said. “We’re coming out of a period of isolation, and we want to bring families, neighbors and the community together again.
“That’s our goal for the summer.”
Curtain time will be 8:30 p.m. each night with a matinee at 1 p.m. July 10. Run time is 90 minutes with no intermission.
Tickets from $35-$85 are being sold through the Steelers’ ticketing platform, Ticketmaster. A link to Ticketmaster and more information is available at pittsburghCLO.org.
