"The Wizard of Oz," presented by Keys Kids, will run Feb. 21 to 24 at Key West High School's auditorium, 2100 Flagler Ave.

Shows will play at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and again at 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The production is double-cast with more than 150 Lower Keys children from kindergartners to 12th-graders. Ozian Orchestra, conducted by Vincent Zito, will accompany the performance.

"The Wizard of Oz," written by Frank L. Baum, was adapted for the MGM classic movie version by the team of Arlen and Harburg. Filmed in 1939, the movie ranks in many Top 10 favorites of all time lists.

Judy Garland stole everyone's heart with her lyrical rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

The musical score is well-known by all, and includes such favorites as "Yellow Brick Road," "If I Only Had a Brain/Heart/Nerve," "We're off to see the Wizard" and "King of the Forest."

The Ozian team includes director Cameron Murray, musical direction by Nancy 3. Hoffman and Nora Revelin, choreography by Penny Leto, set and lighting design by Rich Simone, set production Ricky Gardner and costumes by Alice Parker

Wearing the ruby slippers are Erika Dam and Alexis Galvan, as the Kansas farm girl Dorothy, who travels to Oz in search of the wizard.

Joining her on this journey are the Tin Man, played by Jack Willis and Sean Lefere; the Scarecrow, played by Cameron Malcolm and Spencer Cook; and the Cowardly Lion, performed by John Mathews and Jason Sonnenfeld.

Other lovable characters in the Land of Oz include Auntie Em and Uncle Henry, the Lullaby League, the Lollipop Guild, the Good Witch Glinda, the Wicked Witch, Ozians, Winkies, monkeys, crows and the tiny Munchkins.

Set designs include a Kansas farmhouse, Munchkinland and the Emerald City.

Special effects include a spinning farmhouse, bubbles for the Good Witch, falling snow in the field of poppies, and smoke from the witch's castle.

General admission tickets are $10 for students, military personnel and senior citizens; or $12 for adults. A family ticket for four costs $40.

All tickets are available at MacArthur Music, at 906 Kennedy Drive, by calling 305-294-9329, or at the door one hour prior to curtain.

For more information, call 305-509-1370, or email nora.revelin@keysschools.com.