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It isn\u2019t a stretch to refer to Jim Dolan<\/strong> as the man behind the curtain at \u201cWizard Of Oz at Sphere.\u201d He has actually assumed the role.<\/p>\n The Sphere Entertainment Executive Chairman and CEO made an unbilled appearance as the Wizard after Thursday\u2019s opening-night performance, Dolan was hidden on stage left for the first performance of the post-show production for ticket-holders leaving the main show.<\/p>\n Frantically pulling levers and calling out the famous line, \u201cIgnore that man behind the curtain!\u201d Dolan worked performed as the emerald-green image for about a half-minute. Then, dramatically, the curtain was pulled away. Many guests cheered. Many other had no idea who was being revealed.<\/p>\n Dolan was otherwise out front of the opening-night event. He told visiting media that he and Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav<\/strong> enlisted AI artists to place their faces over Munchkins\u2019 faces in the new \u201cWOZ.\u201d<\/p>\n Alongside Sphere President and Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Koester and \u201cWizard of Oz\u201d Visual Effects Supervisor Ben Grossman, Dolan revealed the move during a press event prior to Thursday\u2019s opening. He said said the scene lasts \u201ca very short two seconds,\u201d adding, \u201cI challenge you to find it.\u201d I didn\u2019t catch it in the premiere showing, but sharp eyes on social media did.<\/p>\n Dolan and his executive team behind \u201cWOZ\u201d also dressed as the primary characters for the premiere. Dolan was in his Wizard suit. He brought out the execs for a few words before the show started. His praise reached the crowd even as<\/p>\n Dolan is also listed as \u2018Chief Muckety-Muck\u201d in the closing credit. That list of hundreds of professionals doesn\u2019t roll at the end. It is stretched across Sphere\u2019s vast screen, showing visitors the depth and breadth of this production.<\/p>\n Post-party at FBLV<\/span><\/p>\n Sphere\u2019s top-level exec and VIP invitees hit Poodle Room at Fontainebleau post-post party. Broadway icon Jessica Vosk<\/strong>, who starred as Elphaba in \u201cWicked,\u201d on Broadway from July 2018 to May 2019 was the headlining singer. Koester introduced Vosk who told the party, \u201cMaybe we can all sing this little ditty togetehr \u2026 We all know the words.\u201d The song, \u201cSomewhere Over the Rainbow,\u201d was note-perfect.<\/p>\n John Katsilometes\u2019 column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com.<\/a> Follow @johnnykats<\/a> on X, @JohnnyKats1<\/a> on Instagram.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n