While there is a long list of iconic musicals, The Wizard of Oz is arguably the most universally loved. With an innovative story (not to mention gay men's love of Judy Garland), it has passed from generation to generation.

A new generation was exposed to The Wizard of Oz at the touring production's opening night, Tuesday, at the Jubilee Auditorium in Calgary. Hundreds of families attended and many of the adults were likely sharing something they experienced as a child with their own children/grandchildren/extended family. So many little faces beamed in awe as Glinda the Good Witch floated down, and as Dorothy embarked on her journey along the Yellow Brick Road. To hear their laughter echo throughout the auditorium made the experience that much better.

That is the joy of heading to see The Wizard. It's timeless. That said, it has also been butchered in productions throughout the world - but not to worry, in this show it is done right. Kate Bristol captures Dorothy Gale perfectly, infusing some of her own traits into the character, with a helping of classic Garland. Andrew Haserlat (Scarecrow), Beau Hutchings (Tin Man) and Jesse Coleman (The Cowardly Lion) all brilliantly breathe life into their characters. From the large scale staging to the ensemble dancers, the show is as good as as a Wizard gets. Make sure you get there early, as the notoriously poor parking at the Jubilee Auditorium may result in not being seated until after _Somewhere Over The Rainbow_.

As a fun bonus, the show features Calgary's own Boundless Dance Studio students as munchkins, and later, as The Wicked Witch's army. While seeing small children marching in army uniforms was a little disturbing, it was quickly lost in the story.

The holidays are a time when families come together and celebrate. Regardless of what type of family you have, gather them together and march down the yellow brick road to the Jubilee Auditorium. Tickets are half price for kids 12 and under for the New Years Evening and New Years Day matinee shows, with the code "wizard." It is fantastic way to end 2010, and also a great way to prepare...after all...something Wicked is coming to Calgary in the summer.