Lyric Theatre is presenting The Wizard of Oz at Civic Center Music Hall this week and be comforted to know that this heartwarming movie translates to the stage with every bit of the charm and whimsy it should have.

The 100-plus cast fits well on this large stage, another benefit to Lyric and its audience in using the downtown theater.

Tickets are available but rush right out and get them because it's sure to be sold out. Curtain time is 8 p.m. through Saturday with a matinee at 2 p.m. Saturday. Call Lyric's box office at 524-9312 or go by the Music Hall to get tickets. Oh, and for this show there are goodies for the kids.

On opening night we took our 11-year-old granddaughter, Catherine, who was thrilled with the white T-shirt adorned with sparkly red slippers on the front and the words "There's No Place Like Home" on the back. Because it's "wholesome," she'll be able to wear it to school this semester. They also have wands and games and other shirts as well as a sweatshirt.

Now, to the play itself. The players, some of them anyway, flew and that kept the folks in the audience on the edges of their seats. Shannon McGrann as Miss Gultch (riding her bicycle through the air) and as the Wicked Witch (riding her broom with evil glee) was truly thrilling. She screeched and hollered and flew around planning dastardly acts and when she melted ... well, you have to see it to appreciate it.

Regina Dowling was the good witch, Glinda, and she made her appearances by air, too. But instead of a broom, she rode a glittering pink and silver "moon" which had a seat and, fortunately, two handles she could hold to steady herself. She was appropriately beautiful and her voice was a joy to hear. She also portrayed Aunt Em, Dorothy's aunt, with Michael Jones taking the role of Uncle Henry and the Winkie General.

Stealing the show were the members of Lyric Academy who served as the tiny Munchkins in Munchkinland and as the poppies in the field where Dorothy fell asleep, drugged by the Wicked Witch. Student actors of various ages, they had learned their roles and songs well. Television celeb Mike Turpen was bustin' his buttons with pride each time his child, Sarah, came on stage. We saw parents in the audience holding bouquets of flowers to present to their children after their major acting debuts. So sweet.

Sara Stiles, making her debut with Lyric, reprised the role of Dorothy, which she's played in other theaters around the country. She did the acting well but her voice was a little shrill. Even our granddaughter said, "It's a little annoying at times." However, Stiles actually became Dorothy as the show progressed and she interacted with the other characters.

Toto was played by Ashley, a cute little Cairn Terrier discovered at a Rescue Center and trained for this role. She did quite well except for one spot on the Yellow Brick Road where she dragged her feet. The Tin Man finally picked her up and carried her. She also got the most applause. Well, maybe not the most because everyone on stage received his or her share of the clapping and cheering. (Of course, lots of parents of the 80-some kids in the show were present to cheer them on.)

Ben J. Williams was every bit as good portraying the Cowardly Lion as Bert Lahr was in the movie. Ticket operations manager for Lyric, Ben fills in frequently as cast member of Lyric shows and in Lyric's winter productions recognizing musical theater composers and lyricists.

And Casey Colgan was wonderful as the Scarecrow. He even looked like Ray Bolger who played the role in the film. The Tin Man was Michael Gruber who also was a match with Jack Haley, the original Tin Man. The three men, who also took the roles of the farmhands in Kansas, were a delight to watch and to hear.

Also making his Lyric Theatre debut was David Coffee who takes the multiple roles of Professor Marvel, the Wizard and the Gatekeeper and who is delightful in all of them. He is a welcome addition to our theater scene.

Two unexpected but witty segments of "Oz" were the three crows who weren't afraid of the Scarecrow, played and sung by Michael Dalke, Bryan Jarrett and Jared Watson and the three apple trees, portrayed by Annie Funk, Sarah Silva and Deven Walker. These bits were hilarious.

Based on the book by L. Frank Baum, Lyric's production was admirably directed and choreographed by Joel Ferrell. Lloyd Cooper was musical director who must have enjoyed having a full orchestra to direct. The sets, lighting and sound were just spectacular, as were the costumes from the Kansas City Costume Co. and the Music Theatre of Wichita. ZFX Inc. provided the remarkable flying effects.

Lyric Theatre just gets better and better.