AUBURN — It’s all there — the tornado, the Munchkins, the yellow brick road and the fabulous Emerald City — in Community Little Theatre’s production of “The Wiz.”

The big and bold production of the landmark show opens Friday, Nov. 2, and runs through Nov. 11.

It showcases the tart comedy and contemporary musical style of the big Broadway musical that became a hit movie with Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.

This version of Dorothy’s adventures in the Land of Oz features a dazzling, lively mixture of rock, gospel and soul. Its Broadway run garnered seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

Empowerment is the amazing inspiration that comes through loud and clear, said director Nakesha “Kay” Myrick.

“I love the way it captures the story’s playfulness and also delivers a very meaningful message,” she said.

Myrick said she is also pleased that many members of the community who had never been on the stage before came to tryouts for the large multicultural and multigenerational cast. “The Wiz,” a large-scale, big-budget musical featuring an all-black cast, was a breakthrough for Broadway in the 1970s. It laid the foundation for later African-American hits like “Dreamgirls” and Duke Ellington’s “Sophisticated Ladies.”

Two seasons ago, Myrick was in CLT’s cast for “Children of Eden” and she later appeared in “To Kill A Mockingbird.” She was assistant director for last season’s Cinderella“ and she appeared in and was producer for “Almost, Maine” and “Aida.”

“This show is something we have been wanting to do for a long time,” said Mitchell Clyde Thomas, CLT artistic director and co-director for “The Wiz.” “It’s great music and a timeless tale.”

CLT’s production of “The Wiz” has a cast of 62 people and one small dog. Thirty production staff and crew members round out the family-oriented show.

Tiffany Warren, who was featured in “Cinderella,” “Children of Eden” and “Once On This Island,” has her first lead role with CLT as Dorothy. Warren also is vocal coach and co-choreographer with Audrey Martin.

Myrick said some of her favorite numbers are “The Munchkin Song,” featuring children, as well as “Be a Lion” and a “very moving rendition of “Home,” which she calls the show’s central theme.

“Ease On Down the Road” is another familiar tune from the show.

Some differences from the classic Judy Garland movie in this telling of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” are the half-tiger and half-bear, Kalidah Battle, and a scene where the lion is rescued from the poppy field and returned to his friends by the Field Mice that police the area.

Other principal roles are Drew Masse as Scarecrow, Glenn Atkins as Tin Man and Phillip Warren as Lion. The three witches are played by Megan Guynes as Addaperle, Stefanie Lynn as Evillene and Brie Butler as Glinda. The demanding role of The Wizard is played by E. Christopher L’Hommedieu, and Lina Warren is featured in the role of Aunt Em. The cameo role of Uncle Henry is played by Charles Warren.

Thomas shares musical director duties with Paul G. Caron and they will be part of the show’s 12-piece orchestra.

Go and do

WHAT: “The Wiz”

WHO: Community Little Theatre

WHEN: Nov. 2, 3, 4 and 8, 9, 10 and 11. CLT has decided to start all its evening shows at 7:30 p.m. from now on, with Sunday matinees still at 2 p.m.

WHERE: Great Falls Performing Arts Center, 30 Academy St., Auburn

TICKETS: $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, $12 for children. Call 783-0958 or visit www.laclt.com.