If you happen to find yourself on a yellow brick road this weekend, you should probably see where it goes. In fact, it would be a good idea to dust off some ruby slippers and follow the road down to the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts.

On Sunday April 25, the American Family Theatre company will delight area audiences with their musical rendition of “The Wizard of Oz.” Two performances are scheduled for Sunday evening at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Prior to the early show, there will be a variety of kid-friendly games and activities sponsored by the Bloomington Parks and Recreation office.

Laurie Wagner, founder of American Family Theatre, Inc., said that the upcoming production offers something for everyone.

“The Wizard of Oz is such a great American classic. The story is timeless in a way that touches all who encounter it,” Wagner said.

“What touches me the most about the show is the overall theme of ‘home.’ It’s something everyone can relate to—no matter how old you are or where you are in life, there’s always the draw to come back ‘home’ to something.

“Of course, Dorothy is trying to find her way back home to Kansas—but the other characters are also searching for their own definitions of home, whether it be in their hearts or in their minds,” she added.

American Family Theatre Inc., is a Philadelphia-based company that specializes in presenting quality theatre to young audiences. Entering their 40th season, the company performs over 300 shows in over 200 cities each year. The production company currently has eight shows on the road, all of which have received great national acclaim.

Steve Fast, marketing director for Bloomington Parks and Recreation, said that he is excited to bring the American Family Theatre group back to Bloomington for “The Wizard of Oz” show.

“It’s great seeing all of the kids and different people come out to the show. The “Wizard of Oz” is so well loved that it draws in such a vast crowd of people within the community. The overall event is a great opportunity to view the classic story in such a different context,” Fast said.

For college students specifically, Fast said that there are a lot of draws for coming out to the show.

“There are a lot of old-school special effects included within the production. Falling houses and monkeys flying across the ceiling are certain to appeal to anyone interested in theatre effects,” he said.

Wagman encourages anyone and everyone to check out the performance.

“The music is great, the dancing is wonderful, and the cast is absolutely spectacular. They are so talented and present such a spectacularly tender rendition of the show,” she said.

“The show is such a joy to watch and a thrill to be a part of,” Wagner continued.

Tickets for the event can be purchased at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts box office or online at artsblooming.org. Students with a valid university ID are eligible to receive the “youth” discount and are required to bring identification to the show.