‘The Wizard of Oz,’ starring Ashley Banjo, reveals further casting

Dianne Pilkington, Louis Gaunt, and Christina Bianco will go over the rainbow to Oz in the fantasy musical, playing at the London Palladium this summer.

Head to the Emerald City with the newest cast members of The Wizard of Oz. The musical begins previews at the London Palladium on 23 June, with an opening night on 6 July, and performances to 3 September.

Christina Bianco will play Glinda the Good Witch. She continues as Glinda from the Leicester Curve production. The Forbidden Broadway actress gained notoriety with her “diva” impression videos. Bianco will perform a concert series at the Menier Chocolate Factory next month — get Christina Bianco: In Divine Company tickets on London Theatre.

Dianne Pilkington will play the Wicked Witch of the West, alongside Louis Gaunt as the Scarecrow, Jason Manford as the Cowardly Lion, Ashley Banjo as the Tin Man, and Gary Wilmot as the Wizard. Further casting, including for the role of Dorothy, will be announced at a later date.

The Wizard of Oz follows Kansas teenager Dorothy and her dog Toto. When a tornado sweeps the pair to a new world, Dorothy teams up with a tin man, a lion, and a scarecrow in the hopes of returning home.

The musical features songs from the Judy Garland-starring 1939 film, including "Somewhere Over The Rainbow.” Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice penned additional songs, such as "Red Shoes Blues" and "Farewell to Oz."

Nikolai Foster directs, with choreography by Shay Barclay, set design by Colin Richmond, costume and puppet design by Rachael Canning, lighting design by Ben Cracknell, and sound design by Adam Fisher.

Book The Wizard of Oz tickets on London Theatre.

Photo credit: Christina Bianco (Photo by Marc Brenner)