Concrete Playground

Judy Garland may be the quintessential Dorothy, but she wasn't the first. Fourteen years before Garland followed the yellow brick road in glorious Technicolor, Dorothy Dwan did so in Larry Semon's silent film. Largely lost from the cinematic history books (the film bankrupted its production company and distribution was therefore squandered), Semon's take on L. Frank Baum's famous tale will now be screened as part of the Opera House's Screen Live series. Australian pianist Jan Preston will be on hand to provide live musical accompaniment. Preston is no stranger to silent film, having composed and recorded music for Fritz Lang's 1928 classic The Spy.

Fans of Dorothy and her motley crew of friends will be sure to delight in this original filmic adaptation, which will be introduced by Jay Katz from the Mu Meson Archives.