You may have wondered what that scream echoing through Calgary earlier this year was about. The mystery is solved, it was local actor Ksenia Thurgood, screaming with joy at being offered the role of Dorothy in Alberta Theatre Project’s holiday show The Wizard of Oz.

"For this show I didn’t audition, I got the phone call. I was elated, I screamed, muffled of course but I did scream. I was honestly just really honored and excited, I couldn’t believe they were offering me the role without auditioning, I had submitted to be seen for it but that they wanted me was pretty humbling."

Once the initial joy subsided, the pressure was on. One difficulty in playing as iconic a character as Dorothy Gale is that people expect a replica of Judy Garland on stage. To her credit, Thurgood doesn’t try to be Garland. She makes the character her own and does so fantastically (your heart will break when Ms. Gulch takes Toto).

"Whenever I get freaked out about having to be her I think about one of her most famous quotes - You have to be a first rate version of yourself, you can’t be a second rate version of anyone else. From day one I had to take Dorothy and not think of it as Judy Garland and try to mimic her, I had to make her my Dorothy. Some people might be coming with that expectation, but I am not Judy Garland...to try and be her wouldn’t do justice to her or myself. It is rare that you work on a show that is brand spanking new - it is a given on any production that you don’t try to be anyone else and don’t watch their work so you don’t unintentionally make their choices. It’s just innate to do the best job you can in telling that story and hope the audience likes it. They may hate it – you’re no Garland, shut your face Thurgood! Worst Dorothy ever, I am becoming straight because of you!"

Of course the rest of the cast is also fantastic. Bruce Horak (Scarecrow), David Leyshon (Tinman), and Kevin Corey (Cowardly Lion) infuse aspects of the film versions into their characters but stand on their own merits as well. Anyone familiar with the skill and style of Elinor Holt would believe she is the perfect Wicked Witch, and she more than meets expectations. From top to bottom The Wizard of Oz is superbly cast.

"Everyone is double cast except for Dorothy and the Toto’s. One of the great things about this show is aspects are straight from the movie. It has been fun, throw stuff at the wall and see what happens. There have been parts specifically in choreography where we watch the film to capture some iconic moments lifted from the film. ...There are a ton of theatre tricks in this show which is pretty cool, I am a nerd that way."

This is Thurgood’s third consecutive year in the ATP holiday show, also appearing in 2010’s Seussical: The Musical and 2009’s Toad of Toad Hall. It means a lot to be part of the annual tradition, she said.

"I am simply honored and grateful to have the work and they are trusting me with this big part. There are times when I get freaked out about it. Singing Somewhere Over The Rainbow?! That freaks me out and I have to talk myself down from the ledge, you just have to be yourself and do your best job Ksenia. That they want to keep me around to tell these stories, that they trust my work enough for a high energy show over Christmas means a lot."

Also meaningful is the chance to meet the kids from the audience after the show.

"I had one little girl during Toad of Toad Hall who was so charming. I was Ratty, so kind of asexual. She wanted to talk to me. When I went to my dressing room another actor came back and told me that the little girl really wanted my phone number. I went out and had to explain that Ratty doesn’t have a phone he lives by a river. She just wanted to call Ratty and hang out and wanted to know if he would be into that. She was like 7. That will always stay with me.

"Other little kids are super shy, little girls like to get really close and touch you, they like pretty costumes. There are others that literally launch themselves off the ground to get a hug, it makes you feel pretty special. To affect little people’s lives touches my heart in a way you wouldn’t believe. I think of it as, what is the best way for me to do my job in telling the story of The Wizard of Oz? and if the kids get taken away on a journey that is fantastic. Those little kids get sooo excited, they don’t care about Ksenia they just want to be near you and touch you and talk to you. That is part of what is special about the Christmas show, making a little person feel important.

The Wizard of Oz has been done a million times from school productions to massive touring shows. Yet no matter how many times you’ve seen it, there is something special about it. Such is the case with ATP’s production.

"It is a story that is well loved and known, and a story about what’s important in life and how all you truly need is people you love - that is your home no matter where you are in the world. You can expect to see some surprises and an amazing world that has been created. I am really hoping audiences will be taken away to Oz, literally," Ksenia said, adding, "Also as someone with so many gay friends, playing a gay icon like Dorothy is pretty cool."

Understatement?