ArtsUP! LA’s Theatre by the Blind, the only all-blind theatre company in the USA, proudly presents the World Premiere of The Enemy of Oz by Christopher Ureña which reimagines the classic world of The Wizard of Oz, entangling a new generation of characters in an adventure fraught with political ambitions, magical conflicts, and revenge.
When DD (Myrachele Thomas), a fiery young politician, discovers she’s the secret daughter of Oz’s most beloved hero, she sets out on a mission to topple the corrupt government she holds responsible for her mother’s murder. But as the daughter of Oz’s most notorious villain, Caliope (Olena Calderon) uncovers her own dark legacy, which causes an age-old blood feud to be reawakened and leads to a campaign of vengeance and power between the two for control over Oz. And with Oz on the brink of chaos, old and new generations reunite as political schemes, supernatural forces, and long-buried secrets collide in a battle for the soul of the Emerald City.
The production is directed by Greg Shane, Artistic Director of ArtsUP! LA, and features Theatre by the Blind actors Aden Calderon, Olena Calderon, Ronnie Chism, Melanie Hernandez, Julio Hoyos, Leela Kazerouni, Antonique Neely, Maliaka Mitchell, and Myrachele Thomas.
General admission tickets are $15, available online at https://www.artsupla.org or at the box office starting a half hour prior to the performance. The play runs for two hours including an intermission, and is appropriate for all ages, with children under the age of 12 requiring an accompanying adult.
Shari Barrett/ ArtsUpLA
Photo –The Wizard (Ronnie Chism) teaches Dorothy’s Daughter DD (Myrachele Thomas) the ways of the Wizard of Oz.
Photo credit: Lynn Shane