July 28, 2025 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

World Premiere of ‘The Enemy of Oz’ Spotlights Blind Performers and Powerful Themes

ArtsUP! LA Debuts Visually Impaired Cast in Powerful Oz-Inspired Performance

In a dynamic reimagining of L. Frank Baum’s iconic universe, ArtsUP! LA’s Theatre by the Blind will present the world premiere of The Enemy of Oz, an original play by Christopher Ureña, opening May 9 at Culver City’s Blue Door Theater. Featuring an all-blind cast, this production offers a fresh narrative steeped in political intrigue, familial legacy, and supernatural forces, underscoring the company’s mission to amplify underrepresented voices through the arts.

Directed by Greg Shane, Artistic Director of ArtsUP! LA, The Enemy of Oz follows DD, played by Myrachele Thomas, a fiery young political figure who learns she is the hidden daughter of Oz’s most revered hero. Her discovery sets off a chain of events that entangle her with Caliope (Olena Calderon), the daughter of Oz’s most reviled villain. As old and new generations clash over power and redemption, the fate of the Emerald City hangs in the balance.

The production stars Theatre by the Blind members, including Aden Calderon, Ronnie Chism, Melanie Hernandez, Julio Hoyos, Leela Kazerouni, Antonique Neely, Maliaka Mitchell, and Myrachele Thomas, each bringing powerful performances and personal dedication to the stage.

Photo Credit: ArtsUP! LA

Performances run Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. from Friday, May 9 through May 17 at Blue Door Theater, located at 9617 Venice Blvd., Culver City. General admission is $15, and tickets can be purchased at artsupla.org or the box office 30 minutes before showtime. The two-hour production includes an intermission and is open to audiences of all ages.

Behind the scenes, cast members have gone to extraordinary lengths to participate. Ronnie Chism commutes over three hours each day; Antonique Neely rehearses with a newborn in tow; and newcomer Myrachele Thomas credits the production with transforming her sense of independence. “Being a part of theater has been an amazing experience,” said Thomas. “It has awakened a part of me that hasn’t been touched in a while.”

As the only all-blind theater company in the country, Theatre by the Blind continues to challenge perceptions and expand access through inclusive storytelling. The premiere of The Enemy of Oz highlights not only their creative vision but also their unyielding commitment to representation and artistic expression.

Parking is available at nearby pay lots on Cardiff and Watseka Avenues, and attendees are encouraged to observe street signage for restrictions.

Related Posts

Award-Winning Beverly Hills Villa Lists for $39.9 Million in Celebrity-Filled Enclave

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Limestone Showpiece Hits Market in the Flats, From Acclaimed Architect Tucked in the heart of Beverly Hills Flats, a limestone-clad...

More Than $50 Billion in Damage: What January’s Wildfire Cost the City of Los Angeles

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

Nearly 11,000 Properties, Many in Pacific Palisades, Affected; True Losses Likely Higher Nearly $52 billion in residential real estate across...

(Video) A Plus Tree: A Steward of Urban Forest Management Across Los Angeles

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

For More Information, Go to Aplustree.com A Plus Tree: A Steward of Urban Forest Management Across Los Angeles For More...

Gay Venezuelan Asylum Seeker Describes Abuse After U.S. Deportation to El Salvador’s Infamous Prison

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

Andry Hernández, Sent to CECOT Without Due Process, Tells of Sexual Assault and Torture After four months inside El Salvador’s...

The Third Place Reinvented: Why Kavahana Is Becoming LA’s New Favorite Hangout Spot

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

In a city full of coffee shops that close too early and bars that don’t cater to the sober (or...

Avocet Playa Vista: Your New Luxury Retirement Experience

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

A wealth of high-end amenities, gourmet cuisine, mind-body programs and stimulating cultural events, centered around a luxury lifestyle retirement experience...

Broadway Star and Singer Adam Lambert Sells Glam Hollywood Hills Home for $6.2 Million

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

Lambert Unloads Customized Estate With Infinity Pool, Motor Court Singer and Broadway performer Adam Lambert has sold his custom-upgraded Hollywood...

In Your Time of Need, Woodlawn Cemetery is Available

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

By Susan Payne  For over 125 years, Woodlawn Cemetery, Mausoleum & Mortuary, wholly owned and operated by the city of...

Going for the throat

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Coach Bill Schuman expects protégé Golda Zahra to hold back nothing  By Linda Chase World famous competitors hire special coaches...

Unmasking ICE: Senators Push for Visible IDs After Secretive LA Immigration Raids

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bill Requires Federal Agents to Display Visible Identification During Raids U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) on...

Bacio di Latte’s Beverly Hills Gelateria Debut Blends Italian Tradition with California Cool

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Gelateria Features In-House Gelato, Espresso Drinks, and Decadent Signature Flavors Bacio di Latte has officially opened its latest U.S. flagship...

Housing for Health Chief Appointed to Lead Unified Homeless Services Department

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Veteran Housing Advocate to Oversee Streamlined LA County Services The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday confirmed the...

Rainbow Crosswalk at Pulse Memorial Could Be Removed Under New Federal Rules

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Trump Administration’s Program Urges States to Eliminate “Non-safety” Road Art, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a bizarre order for...

Brentwood Feels Impact as Feds Slash Office Leases Across Los Angeles

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

New Tracker Reveals Over 70,000 Square Feet Cut in 2025 Alone Los Angeles County’s office market is experiencing a fresh...

Interview: The Dinah Creator Mariah Hanson on Legacy, Change, and the Future of Queer Celebration

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

After 34 Groundbreaking Years, Hanson Reflects on Joy, Power, and Her Final Dinah  We spoke with Mariah Hanson, the creator...