The Wizard of Oz

When: Fri., Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m., Sat., Feb. 24, 2 & 7:30 p.m. and Sun., Feb. 25, 1 & 6:30 p.m. 2018

Back when there were just three television channels, the Easter weekend broadcast of The Wizard of Oz was an annual event. It's not quite Easter yet, but who cares? In St. Louis, the Wizard returns for one full weekend of shows, live on stage. The whole gang is here — the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, good old Lion — trying to help Dorothy (and Toto) get back to Kansas and win a heart, some brains and courage in the process. Howard Arlen's great songs, the menace of the Wicked Witch of the West, the Munchkins — you know the story, and more than that, you love it. The Wizard of Oz is performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday (February 23 to 25) at the Fox Theatre (527 North Grand Boulevard; www.fabulousfox.com). Tickets are $35 to $105.

— Paul Friswold