From a media release:
WHO WILL WEAR THE RUBY SLIPPERS? CANADA’S TOP 10 DOROTHYS PERFORM FOR ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER IN THE SERIES PREMIERE OF OVER THE RAINBOW
- The search for Dorothy begins with the two-hour season premiere, featuring the first live performances from the Top 10 on September 16 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) on CBC-TV
There’s no place like CBC to be part of the wonderful world of Oz – don’t miss the special two-hour season premiere of the all-new live competition series, OVER THE RAINBOW, on Sunday, September 16 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT). Hosted by popular media personality Daryn Jones, the live series showcases aspiring Canadian performers as they vie for the leading role of Dorothy in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s stage adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, opening this December at the Ed Mirvish Theatre, Toronto, ON. The two-hour series premiere of OVER THE RAINBOW captures the exciting journey from the Dorothy hopefuls at the cross-country auditions, followed by the Top 10 Dorothys performing live for the first time with Andrew Lloyd Webber in attendance, who will also join the judging panel for this special episode.
Viewers can travel along the yellow brick road with OVER THE RAINBOW’s interactive second-screen app available for iPhone, iPad, Android, and via the web on all computers. The engaging new app automatically synchs with the show’s live broadcast to deliver an immersive experience into the land of Oz. Viewers will be able to take part in the show in real time, and have their say displayed back on TV live. Viewers can also access exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, get insider sneak peeks, plus earn more votes for their favourite Dorothy! The bigger the fan, the more influence viewers can have on the series outcome, when they connect with the OVER THE RAINBOW app. Canadians can vote for their favourite Dorothy at the end of each live performance show, either using the ground-breaking, interactive OVER THE RAINBOW app, through the Over the Rainbow Website or via telephone. Each viewer is able to cast ten votes via telephone and one vote online or through the app, but those who register with the app have the opportunity to earn more votes.
Each Sunday, on the hour-long performance episode, the Dorothys will perform a variety of Broadway, standards and pop numbers in front of a live studio audience. On the Monday following, beginning September 17 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT), the bottom two Dorothys, as determined by a public vote, will go head-to-head in a live sing-off. Judges Arlene Phillips, the famed UK TV judge, dance choreographer and director, Louise Pitre, Canada’s first lady of musical theatre, and one of Canada’s most popular leading men, Thom Allison, will then determine who will be sent home. The weekly half-hour results episodes will also feature a search for Toto with the top dog performing live with the Dorothys in the season finale. Comedians Deb McGrath and Colin Mochrie, along with award-winning dog breeder, Mike Macbeth, form the judging panel that will help to select OVER THE RAINBOW’s top dog from 10 of the most lovable contenders.
In anticipation of the premiere of OVER THE RAINBOW, viewers can re-live the magic of Oz with the network debut of the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, on Saturday, September 15 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) on CBC Television.
