Meet the Cast of The Wizard of Oz in Rhinebeck!
As the yellow brick road winds its way to Rhinebeck this June, The CENTER for Performing Arts invites you to journey with us into the heart of Oz. Directed by Broadway’s own Hannah Corneau- who once flew high as Elphaba in Wicked, and is soon to bring Elsa in Frozen to life at The MUNY—this production is nothing short of magical.
Our talented cast is breathing new life into these beloved characters:
Molly Glowacki as the courageous and curious Dorothy Gale
Caleb Sheedy as the lovable Hunk/Scarecrow
Glen Morrice as the tender Hickory/Tinman
Wendell Scherer as the hilarious and heartfelt Zeke/The Cowardly Lion
Petula Beckles (yours truly) as the grounding Aunt Em and the glorious Glinda
Tonya Kennedy as the delightfully wicked Almira Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West
David Shakopi as the enigmatic Professor Marvel/The Wizard of Oz
Fred Fishberg as the steadfast Uncle Henry
KT Ryan as the ever-watchful Emerald City Guard
Performances run June 6–29, with shows on Fridays at 8pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm. Don’t miss this vibrant reimagining of a timeless tale!
Behind the Curtain: A Peek into Rehearsals
One of the most beautiful parts of this journey has been watching each character spring to life. This cast brings not only talent, but deep heart, humor, and soul to every scene. It’s fun, it’s funny, and at times, it’s unexpectedly profound.
From My Heart: Playing Glinda and Aunt Em
This experience has been incredibly empowering for me as an artist. I honor the individuality of my creative process… it’s deliberate, reflective, and intuitive. What may appear as hesitation to some, is where intention takes root and authenticity is born. I do not rush my becoming to meet someone else’s pace of perception. I am deeply grateful that Hannah creates space for that truth.
Playing Glinda and Aunt Em is sort of a sacred dance between two parts of myself: the woman who soars, and the woman who shelters. These roles allow me to embody grace and grounding, light and love, uplift and resolve. It is an honor to bring their stories, and mine, to the stage.
Come experience the magic, meet our phenomenal cast, and find your way to Oz- no tornado required ;-) https://www.centerforperformingarts.org/whats-playing/the-wizard-of-oz