A brain, a heart, courage, and a trip back to Kansas are what Dorothy and her three traveling friends are looking for as they follow the yellow brick road this week at the SRSS theatre.

The dress rehearsal concluded Tuesday night in front of an audience and Wizard of Oz director David Klassen says he's been impressed with the energy of each cast member and how they've brought their character to life. Klassen, who directed Anne of Green Gables two years ago, says the two productions live in opposite worlds, Anne of Green Gables had a strong element of realism, which Wizard of Oz is full of imagination.

"We know the story as being a dream and when we enter into the theatre ready to watch Wizard of Oz, we know we're entering into a land of make-believe. So, the way the characters are developed and the way they communicate is all very different. There is a surrealness or a dream-like quality that exists within everyone's lines and within every scene."

Klassen adds his favourite part of each production is the contribution it brings to the community.

"Working to create memories for people in the community and working to, essentially, help build what is a new family for all of these people. We all get to know each other really well during rehearsals, so my favourite part is the life-long memories that are created when you do a show like this."

Klassen says there have been a few challenges in putting the musical together including working with a larger group of young children, having a real dog in part of the script, and leaving realism behind to enter into a world of imagination.

"The whole show, being more of a storybook production, the stagecraft is very different [than a show like Anne of Green Gables]. For me, just in visualizing things a little bit differently than I normally do. This particular show has a lot of moving parts with all the set changes and all of the pieces that work together."

He notes there are a few other pieces which were a challenge to coordinate including choreographing set changes because the curtains do not close, organizing a larger cast, and helping to encourage and lead everyone in a positive direction.

There are a few tickets still available through the Steinbach Arts Council, show dates are Wednesday to Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.