VIDEO: Previewing LYST's Trip Down the Yellow Brick Road

If Judy Garland’s turn in The Wizard of Oz was colorful, then Lexington Youth Summer Theatre’s take on the classic is downright cartoonish.

And that’s the way it ought to be, according to Mark Mercer, director of , gracing the stage from tomorrow through this Saturday.

“What is kind of interesting about our spin on the show is that we’ve kind of taken it for what it is,” Mercer said before a dress rehearsal this week. “It’s an imagination, where Dorothy kind of goes into this world and then realizes it’s something she doesn’t want so much.”

The emphasis on cartoonishness applies to the costumes and set, which are taken care of by parent volunteers. Many members of the cast, which includes young actors ages 7 through 17, and crew are new to the LYST community this year, which people involved with the seven-week production said is rewarding in and of itself.

“One thing I really like about this organization is it’s not geared toward just giving the kids something to do for the summer,” said Mercer.

LYST’s production of The Wizard of Oz will be held at Grace Chapel, 59 Worthen Road, Lexington on July 26th and 27th at 7 p.m. and on July 28th at 1 p.m. Tickets are $13 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at: http://www.lexingtonyouthsummertheatre.org or at Catch a Falling Star, Levine Orthodontics, and Michelson’s Shoes in Lexington.  For more information, go http://www.lexingtonyouthsummertheatre.org.