Demonstrating once again that when it comes to the arts in the Seacoast region the whole can truly be greater than the sum of its parts, Prescott Park Arts Festival (PPAF) and Seacoast Repertory Theatre (the Rep) are proud to announce a new collaborative effort for the upcoming summer season. The organizations will co-produce The Wizard of Oz, as part of the main stage this summer starting JUne 24, 2011.  (Continued below)

This new partnership draws on the combined resources of both organizations to bring the highest quality theatre possible to the PPAF this summer for visitors and locals alike to enjoy. This magical production will run every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from June 24 to August 21. 

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"It just really started making sense," said Ben Anderson, executive director of the PPAF. "This type of collaboration is what I like to call a win-win-win. By partnering our efforts, both organizations will benefit and become stronger, but ultimately it is the community that will gain from what will come from this partnership. It's more than exciting."  The Rep will support the effort with rehearsal space, costuming, scenery building and other production-critical capabilities. 

Beyond artistic vision and production leadership, the Rep's Artistic Director, Craig Faulkner will co-direct The Wizard of Oz with Tony Award winner Jon Kimbell.  In addition to being a longtime supporter of the Rep and advocate for the arts in our region, Kimbell served as the Artistic Director of the Theatre by the Sea in Portsmouth and North Shore Music Theater in Beverly, MA. 

"I'm proud to be part of the collaboration between PPAF and the Rep; working together to create a terrific production for PPAF is a win for both arts organizations and, more importantly, for Seacoast audiences." said Jon Kimbell. "Collaboration among arts groups was exactly what Grace Casey and I had in mind when we started the PPAF almost four decades ago." 

 "It's very exciting that the two largest arts organizations in the community have come together." said Rep Artistic Director Craig Faulkner.  "It's taken a great deal of work and enthusiasm from both organizations to make this happen. We couldn't be happier about this collaboration." 

The announced partnership actually expands the collaboration between the two organizations over the past few years, The Rep performed a series of concerts at PPAF and offered the Rep's facility to PPAF for their concert series in the event of inclement weather. This relationship growth is a natural outcrop of the two organizations' shared history and commitment to bringing the arts to the Seacoast. 

Considered to be one of the greatest family musicals of all time, The Wizard of Oz is based on the Royal Shakespeare Company's celebration of the 1939 MGM movie that transports Dorothy, Toto and their friends the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man, and ScarecrowOver the Rainbow to adventures in Munchkin Land, the Haunted Forest, and the Emerald City. 

Featuring classic songs such as Over the Rainbow, Ding Dong the Witch is Dead, andIf I Only Had A Brain, along with the beloved characters, The Wizard of Oz will have the entire family captivated as they travel down the yellow brick road for an unforgettable evening in the Park.  

The festival is currently accepting registrations for auditions for the production. Auditions will be conducted on Sunday, March 27 (adult call) and Monday, April 4 (youth call). Those wishing to audition for the production are directed to the festival Web site for more information. 

Prescott Park Arts Festival celebrates its 37th anniversary of presenting music, art, theater and dance on the banks of the Piscataqua River, led by Executive Director Ben Anderson. Since 1974, it has successfully reached over 3.5 million people through more than 10,000 productions offered at no fixed admission.  The primary objective of the Festival is to provide quality family entertainment, promote artistic excellence in the community and maintain quality presentations of both entertainment and educational events. Implicit in this charge is the exercise of cultural leadership, sensitivity to the community and fiscal responsibility.

Founded in 1987 and now under the Artistic Direction of Craig J. Faulkner the Seacoast Repertory Theatre is a not-for-profit arts and educational organization, which has been entertaining, enlightening and engaging audiences as New Hampshire's only year-round professional theatre for decades.  Winner of countless regional and local awards, the Rep offers a complete schedule of award-winning musicals, plays and youth productions as well as educational opportunities for all ages with its youth workshops, classes, camps and Senior Moments programs.