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Chasing Rainbows — The Road to Oz Takes the Stage at Goodspeed Musicals

The show looks at the rise of Judy Garland.

Ruby Rakos plays young Judy Garland in Chasing Rainbows - The Road to Oz at Goodspeed Musicals.
Ruby Rakos plays young Judy Garland in Chasing Rainbows — The Road to Oz at Goodspeed Musicals.
(© Diane Sobolewski)

Photos from Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz at Goodspeed Musicals have been released.

An awkward girl with a golden voice blossoms into Judy Garland in this new musical about the bumpy road to Oz. The future superstar's complicated childhood comes alive with the music that made her famous. "I Can't Give You Anything but Love," "You Made Me Love You," and "Over the Rainbow" tell the story of Judy striving to hold on to her family.

Chasing Rainbows was conceived by Tina Marie Casamento Libby and features a book by Marc Acito (Allegiance). David Libby adapted the music. John Fricke serves as a creative consultant and historian for the project. Tyne Rafaeli (first national tour of Bridges of Madison County) directs.

Baby Frances (Ella Briggs) and Frank Gumm (Kevin Earley) are "Shooting High" in Chasing Rainbows - The Road to Oz.
Baby Frances (Ella Briggs) and Frank Gumm (Kevin Earley) are "Shooting High" in Chasing Rainbows — The Road to Oz.
(© Diane Sobolewski)

Ruby Rakos (Billy Elliot: The Musical) dons the famous ruby slippers as Judy Garland. She is joined by Kevin Earley (Les Misérables) as Frank Gumm, Sally Wilfert (Assassins) as Ethel Gumm, Michael Wartella (Tuck Everlasting) as Mickey Rooney, Michael McCormick (Chaplin) as L.B. Mayer, Karen Mason (Mamma Mia!) as Ma Lawlor/Kay Koverman, Gary Milner (Doctor Zhivago) as Roger Edens/George Jessel, Ella Briggs as Baby Frances Gumm, Piper Birney (national tour of How the Grinch Stole Christmas) as Young Virginia Gumm, and Lea Mancarella as Shirley Temple.

The ensemble includes Lissa deGuzman, Colby Dezelick, Jennifer Evans, Berklea Going, Claire Griffin, Jordana Grolnick, Michael Hartung, Dan Higgins, Lucy Horton, Bryan Thomas Hunt, Andrea Laxton, Danny Lindgren, and Jesse Sharp. The swings are Joseph Fierberg and Elise Mestichelli.

Judy (Ruby Rakos) and Mickey (Michael Wartella) are having a "Hollywood Party" with the cast of  Chasing Rainbows - The Road to Oz.
Judy (Ruby Rakos) and Mickey (Michael Wartella) are having a "Hollywood Party" with the cast of Chasing Rainbows — The Road to Oz.
(© Diane Sobolewski)

The production staff includes Kristen Robinson (scenic design), Elizabeth Caitlin Ward (costume design), Ken Billington (lighting design), Jay Hilton (sound design), and Mark Adam Rampmeyer (hair and wig design). Michael O’Flaherty serves as music director with Bill Thomas as assistant music director and orchestrations by Dan DeLange.

Performances run through November 27.

Catch Chasing Rainbows - The Road to Oz in East Haddam, Connecticut.
Catch Chasing Rainbows — The Road to Oz in East Haddam, Connecticut.
(© Diane Sobolewski)

For more information and tickets, click here.

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