L. Frank Baum's fantasy about a young Kansas farmgirl's excursion into magical lands has been adapted many times over, inspired spin-offs, blown the minds of Dark Side of the Moon lovers and become a part of the American cultural canon. Now the stage version touches down like a twister on the Carpenter Center stage. Produced by Musical Theatre West and featuring the sets and costumes from the Madison Square Garden production, this staging brings a little Big (ruby red) Apple glamour to Long Beach and while it may not quite achieve the grandiosity of Wicked, it comes close enough for Emerald City government work.
Thursdays, Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 N 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 N 7 p.m. Starts: July 11. Continues through July 26, 2008