VIDEO: Mackenzie Ziegler, Marissa Jaret Winokur & More Talk WINTER OF OZ at Pasadena Civic Auditorium

Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP), in association with the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, will present their newest production, the world premiere of THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, (300 East Green Street, Pasadena CA 91101) which will play a strictly limited engagement from December 15 through December 30. Singer, actress and dancer Mackenzie Ziegler (Dancing with the Stars: Juniors, Dance Moms) as Dorothy, Phil LaMarr ("Mad TV" and "Pulp Fiction") as The Tin Man, Jared Gertner (Broadway's The Book of Mormon) as The Scarecrow, and Hailee Payne and Valerie Rockey of So You Think You Can Dance join previously announced Kermit the Frog as the Wizard of Oz and Tony-Award winner Marissa Jaret Winokur (Celebrity Big Brother Winner and Broadway's Hairspray) as Glinda. The official press opening will be held on December 14, 2018 at GIVE KIDS PANTO, a benefit to raise monies for the student matinee performance serving Title One schools in the PUSD and LAUSD.

Check out the cast talking about the show below!

The production will be directed by Bonnie Lythgoe and choreographed by Napoleon and Tabitha D'umo (NappyTabs), with book by Kris Lythgoe and Michael Orland (American Idol) serving as musical arranger and supervisor. Casting is by executive producer Becky Lythgoe. Additional casting will be announced at a later date.

THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ is a Holiday version of America's favorite modern fairy tale, in the style of a traditional British Family Panto. On Christmas Eve, Dorothy gets swept away by a 'freak' Kansas blizzard and lands in a world of munchkins and witches. With songs from Journey to Wham!, THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ is the perfect family experience at the Holiday time. No rainbows will be hurt in this production.

There will also be a special student matinee on December 14, 2018, servicing over 2,000 Title One school children who will be introduced to the magic of live theatre for the very first time.

Tickets start at $40 and Family Four Packs for just $99 can be purchased at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, online at www.thepasadenacivic.com or by calling 626-449-7362. Golden Tickets, which allow the ticket holder (children ages 4 - 12 only) a special on-stage experience during the production, are available for an additional $75.00 each. This will be the seventh holiday season of Lythgoe Family Panto in Pasadena, and the second at the Pasadena Civic.

Mackenzie Ziegler has become one of the most influential rising stars of Generation Z. At just fourteen-years-old, Mackenzie has made a splash in the entertainment industry as an award-winning dancer, singer-songwriter, actress, author, and model. She performed and competed on Lifetime's hit reality series, "Dance Moms," before launching her solo career and garnering a massive social media presence of over 25 million followers across several platforms.

Mackenzie can also be seen starring in the YouTube series "Total Eclipse" for the digital network Brat, on which she also serves as Executive Producer. Just this year her first book, "Kenzie's Rules for Life," was released, offering inspirational, upbeat advice on friendship, family, fitness, style, and positivity, and her makeup line, "Love, Kenzie," launched in September offering affordable and functional beauty products celebrating individuality and feminine power. Mackenzie can currently be seen competing on "Dancing With the Stars: Juniors" for ABC.


Lythgoe Family Panto produces fun, musical theatre the whole family can enjoy. Known for their creativity and involvement in television hits "American Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance," the Lythgoes are dedicated to bringing affordable theatre to families across America. Based on the Grimm fairytales and others, each story has been modernized with topical scripts for parents and well known pop songs for kids. The Lythgoes pride themselves on creating a memorable experience a family can share together. In 2017 over 6000 title 1 students were introduced by the Lythgoe's to live theatre, through the medium of Panto.