INDIANAPOLIS — More than 100 years after the first stage production premiered at New York’s Majestic Theatre, and in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the MGM film, the all-time family favorite “The Wizard of Oz” returns to the Indianapolis Civic Theatre stage in a lavish production running through Jan. 3.

Children of all ages will follow the yellow brick road with Dorothy and her faithful friends in search of the knowledge, the heart, and the courage they always had. The iconic American tale comes to life in this musical journey featuring scenery, a full-blown tornado, flying witches, and all of the beloved songs.

Back by popular demand, the theatre will again present a “Wizard of Oz” audience sing-a-long performance 7 p.m. Jan. 1, featuring songbooks, props, and a costume contest. For one night only, patrons are in invited to come dressed up as their favorite Wizard of Oz characters and sing along with the show.

There are about 25 licensed versions of “The Wizard of Oz.” Indianapolis Civic Theatre is presenting the version created by the Royal Shakespeare Company, which closely follows the 1939 MGM movie musical, including all of the well-known songs. Dorothy, a wistful little Kansas farm girl, gets caught up in a cyclone and whisked off — over the rainbow — to the magical Land of Oz. She tries to get back home with the help of the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion, who also play the farmhands Hank, Hickory, and Zeke.

There are witches, good and wicked, and plenty of adventures as Dorothy, Toto, and their three friends travel the yellow brick road in search of the great and powerful Wizard. Other characters include the Wicked Witch of the West, Auntie Em, Glinda the Good Witch, the Mayor of Munchkin City, the Wizard and Uncle Henry, the citizens of Oz, played by an ensemble of singers and dancers, and a large chorus of kids cast as Munchkins. The show features an array of special effects and Harold Arlen’s and E.Y. Harburg’s memorable musical tunes, including “Over the Rainbow,” “If I Only Had a Brain,” and “We’re Off to See the Wizard.”

The original production of “The Wizard of Oz,” based on L. Frank Baum’s book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, premiered Jan. 21 at the Majestic Theatre in New York and ran for 293 performances. Baum himself wrote the libretto and many of the lyrics. It was a huge success and was revived briefly in 1904 at the Majestic, running for an additional 171 performances. Two companies kept the production touring across the United States over the next six years.

In 1939, MGM released the movie version of the same title starring Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, and Jack Haley. The screenplay was adapted by Frank Gabrielson (writer of the popular “I Remember Mama” television series) in its present form. None of the songs from the original score were used. Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg wrote a completely new score that included “Over the Rainbow,” which won the Academy Award for Best Song and which served as Judy Garland’s theme song.

England’s famed Royal Shakespeare Company brought the film to life on the London stage in 1987. Their stage version, which used the screenplay as well as the Arlen and Harburg songs, also included the “Jitterbug” dance number, which had been filmed as a dance number for the Cowardly Lion but was deleted before the film was released. The film version was subsequently rewritten into a series of stage shows. In 1975 the musical called “The Wiz” opened on Broadway and ran for 1,672 performances garnering a Tony for Best Musical. A film version of “The Wiz” starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson was released in 1978.

In 1991 “The Wizard of Oz” was revived at the Starlight Theatre in Kansas City with an adaptation from the original screenplay by John Kane. Phillis Diller made a rare stage appearance as the Wicked Witch. The John Kane version of “The Wizard of Oz” was presented in 1993 at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, N.J., in a lavish production and again included “The Jitterbug” dance sequence missing from the movie. In November 1995, “The Wizard of Oz in Concert,” an all-star production, was produced for one night only as a benefit for the Children’s Defense Fund at New York’s Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center, where it was taped and then shown on TNT. The cast included Debra Winger (Wicked Witch), Natalie Cole (Good Witch), Nathan Lane (Cowardly Lion), Jewel (Dorothy), Roger Daltrey (Tin Man), Jackson Browne (Scarecrow), Lucie Arnaz (Auntie Em), Joel Grey (Wizard), and the Boys Choir of Harlem as the Munchkins. A New York revival of “The Wizard of Oz” was presented at the Madison Square Garden Theatre in May 1997, which was essentially the same version presented in 1993 at the Paper Mill Playhouse, again adapted and directed by Robert Johanson. This production marked TV star Roseanne’s stage debut as the Wicked Witch.

The show’s success at Madison Square Garden led to a touring production in 1998 with Mickey Rooney as the Wizard and Eartha Kitt as the Wicked Witch, which opened at the Rosemont Theatre in Rosemont, Ill., on the way to Madison Square Garden in New York in May 1998. In addition to the motion picture score by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg, the production included background music by Herbert Stothart. A new production of “The Wizard of Oz” is currently touring the United States through April 2010. This year also marks the 70th anniversary of the popular MGM movie that made Judy Garland famous. Warner Brothers is hosting an array of special events in a year-long celebration of the film.

Indianapolis Civic Theatre’s production of “The Wizard of Oz” is directed by Brent E. Marty, Civic’s director of music and education. The show is choreographed by Rory D. Shivers and Shelbie L. Wahl is the musical director. Holly Stults serves as the choreographer for the Munchkins. The creative production team also includes Jean Engstrom (costumes), Ryan Koharchik (set/lighting design), Michael J. Lasley (producing director/sound design), Debbie Williams (hair/wig design), and Judy Smith (stage manager).

Meg Duell makes her Civic debut in the role of Dorothy Gale, the rambunctious Kansas farm girl that takes a trip over the rainbow. Dorothy’s remarkable trio of Ozian friends who endeavor to help her get back to Kansas are portrayed by Rick Shinkle (Tin Man/Farmhand Hickory), Vince Accetturo (Scarecrow/Farmhand Hunk), and Tommy Bullington (Cowardly Lion/Farmhand Zeke). Other colorful characters include Susan Boilek Smith as Miss Gulch and the Wicked Witch of the West, Kelly Elissa Najacht as Glinda the Good Witch, and Ed Mobley in the dual roles of the great and powerful Wizard and Professor Marvel.

Showdates are Dec. 17, 18, 19, and 20; Dec. 26 and 27; Dec. 31; and Jan. 1, 2, 3. Showtimes are 7 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays. There will be an additional performance at 7 p.m. Dec. 27. Tickets are $34 (Thursday-Sunday) and may be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at 923-4597, by fax at 923-3548, or online at www.civictheatre.org. Regular box office hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. through intermission on performance weekdays, and noon until intermission on performance Saturdays and Sundays.

Indianapolis Civic Theatre is on the Marian University campus at 3200 Cold Spring Road.