Alhambra's WIZARD OF OZ Opens Wednesday

When Craig Smith talks of the many reasons he bought the Alhambra in August of 2009, he often gets teary-eyed telling the story of his daughter, Macy's, first live theater experience almost 10 years ago – the Wizard of Oz at the Alhambra. So this summer has a special feel to it for Smith as the Alhambra opens its 2012 summer family show on June 6 with the Wizard of Oz.

To mark this very special run, the yellow brick road is paved with good intentions: the entire run of the summer show, Wizard of Oz, will be a fundraiser for the Community PedsCare Program of Community Hospice of Northeast Florida. In addition, the puppy playing Toto is on loan from the Jacksonville Humane Society. "Pebbles" is a rescued Yorkshire Terrier mix who will be available for adoption through the Humane Society (interested "parents" should call the Humane Society directly at (904) 725-8766).

Part of the proceeds from all funds raised will be donated to very specific branch of the Pediatric Care program, the Kelsi Young Gift of Care. Named after Kelsi Leah Youg, the Kelsi Young Gift of Care provides respite care to the families in the Community PedsCare program.

Kicking off the fundraising on June 5, will be a unique opportunity for donors to attend the final dress rehearsal – a treat normally only offered to friends and family of the cast as a way for the cast to prepare for a live audience. For $50 payable to Community Hospice, guests will be treated to a live dress researsal in which the director, Todd Booth, and the cast are still working out details. There is no food service for the show, but donors will be treated to a special pre-show dessert social. Tickets can be bought by calling Community Hospice at 904.268.5200.

The money raised will pay for tickets for the families that utilize Community Hospice's services to attend the show at a later date. On June 12, Jacksonville businessman Laurie DeBow will star in a cameo performance. Proceeds from ticket sales that evening will be donated to Community Hospice.

"When Community PedsCare reached out to us, it really helped crystallize our vision for what our summer show should be and really has been about," said Smith, citing community giving. He added, "We've done fundraisers with the summer show during each our last two summers, and it's always tremendously satisfying for all of us. Community PedsCare and the summer show were made for each other. We hope to raise a lot of money and awareness for them."

As he does for all of the Alhambra's shows, new Executive Chef DeJuan Roy has created a menu unique to the themes of Wizard of Oz. Food service for the show will feature a plated meal served to the table for adults and a whimsically-named Munchkin Buffet for children. The children's buffet will feature Breaded Chicken Strips, Mini-Munchkin cheeseburgers, Macaroni & Cheese, Tin Man Tater Tots and Emerald City Green Peas. Dessert for the kids will feature a house-baked rainbow cupcake.

The adult menu will start with a choice of Spinach and Pasta Salad with corn and buttermilk ranch or Southern Style Potatoes Salad with field greens and pickled vegetables; the entrée choices include Auntie Em's Meatloaf with herb mashed potatoes and broccoli, Honey BBQ Chicken with baked macaroni and cheese casserole with slow cooked lima beans or Emerald City Cod oven broiled with pesto, tomatoes, orzo pasta and green peas; Dessert choices include Rainbow Cupcake with cream cheese frosting, Lion-Sized Peppermint & White Chocolate Cake or a Tin Cup of Chocolate Mousse

"Wizard of Oz" runs June 6 through July 22. Please note the change in show times to 7:30 PM for evening shows Tuesday through Sunday (please note time change for summer show). Doors open at 5:30 PM and dinner will be served until 7:00 PM. Matinees on Saturday are at 1:15 PM. Doors open at 11:00 AM and brunch starts at 11:15 AM. Sunday matinee is at 2:00. Doors open at noon and the meal start at 12:15 PM. Group sales are available.

The Alhambra will also feature summer family pricing in which four tickets can be purchased for just $140 – that's each of the four seats for the price of a children's seat. Regular pricing for tickets starts at $42 for adults and $35 for children. Ticket price includes dinner, show and parking. Call the box office at 904.641.1212 or www.alhambrajax.com.

The Alhambra Theatre is the nation's longest continuously operating professional dinner theatre and the only professional resident theatre between Atlanta and Miami. Opened in 1967, The Alhambra has hosted legends such as Tony Curtis, Claude Aiken, Sid Cesar and Cesar Romero, and, recently, Sally Struthers, Barry Williams, Loretta Swit and Jamie Farr. The Alhambra was the place of Betty Grable's final acting role. In November 2009, the Alhambra was purchased by Theatre Partners, LLC, headed by Jacksonville entrepreneur and Alhambra patron, Craig Smith as way to give back to Jacksonville and preserve what he believes is one of its cultural jewels.

Established in 2000, Community PedsCare® is a nationally recognized pediatric palliative and hospice program for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. A program of Community Hospice of Northeast Florida in collaboration with Wolfson Children's Hospital, Nemours Children's Clinic and the University of Florida–Jacksonville, Community PedsCare offers support, comfort and care to more than 100 children and their families.