Staff photo by Connor Cummiskey Dorothy Gale (Molly Hennig, right) attempts to tell Uncle Henry (John Bergstrand, left) and Aunt Em (Jodi Poehler, middle) about Miss Gulch’s (Anita Prestidge) threats against Toto.

NEW ULM — Join Dorothy and her cohorts as they journey through the land of Oz during State Street Theater Company’s production of “The Wizard of Oz.”

Opening night is Thursday at 7:30 p.m. with another performance at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Sunday and Saturday performances are at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the door, $10 in advance, with a $5 special for children during the 2 p.m. shows at the door.

In this adaption Dorothy’s (Molly Hennig) journey is virtually identical to the beloved movie, with only a couple minor changes.

One comes as Dorothy first leaves for the Land of Oz.

“There is a big song number that is a choral-choir number that underlies the whole scene,” Director Andrea Broman said. “The timing on that is really difficult.”

That piece and a big, jazzy dance number were two additional songs in this stage version of L. Frank Baum’s book that Broman was willing to share.

Expect all the familiar faces: The Scarecrow (Michael Koester), Tinman (Kent Menzel), Cowardly Lion (Derek Helget), Aunt Em (Jodi Poehler) and of course The Wicked Witch of the West (Anita Prestidge).

With such a well known story Broman has attempted to stay true to the iconic moments of the film, while inserting some new humor, she said.

“I think of myself as a facilitator of artists, as a director, so getting all of these artists in the same room and pointing them all in the right direction and seeing everything come together,” Broman said. “The process is, for me, the most important part of the show.”

Opening night means Broman’s job is mostly done. Now she should sit back and see what her actors can do, she said.

Because, theater is a team sport — so to speak. A production of this magnitude would be impossible without numerous helping hands, Broman said.

“This is really community theater and none of it would have happened without all of the people from this community coming together to make it,” Broman said.

So grab your broomstick, water bucket and ruby heels this weekend and head on out to State Street Theater to see “The Wizard of Oz.”

Tickets can be purchased ahead of time at statestreetnewulm.org by clicking on the tickets tab or by calling (507) 359-9990.

ccummiskey@nujournal.com.