We’re Not in Kansas Anymore … The Wizard of Oz twists its way into Saudi Arabia’s Ithra

1 / 3
The Wizard of Oz musical comes to Saudi Arabia next month, hosted by the King Abdul Aziz Center for World Culture (Ithra). (Photo/Supplied)
2 / 3
3 / 3
The Wizard of Oz musical comes to Saudi Arabia next month, hosted by the King Abdul Aziz Center for World Culture (Ithra). (Photo/Supplied)
Updated 09 September 2019
Follow

We’re Not in Kansas Anymore … The Wizard of Oz twists its way into Saudi Arabia’s Ithra

  • Ithra is a creative and interactive public space for workshops, performances, events, exhibitions and experiences

The King Abdul Aziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) is set to host the greatest family musical of all time, The Wizard of Oz, on Oct. 2-12. The musical, which features dazzling choreography and classic songs, will touch down in the Kingdom for the first time. This magical production is a celebration of the 1939 MGM movie, and will include breathtaking special effects that will sweep audiences away, from the moment the tornado twists its way into Kansas.
Director Dean Sobon has worked national tours of Fiddler on the Roof and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Amy McCleary, who is behind he magical choreography, was the director/choreographer of the national tour of Memphis, the Musical and the choreographer of the national tour of The Wedding Singer.
The team of Sobon and McCleary will take Dorothy, Toto and their friends the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow “over the rainbow” to adventures in Munchkin Land, the Haunted Forest and Emerald City. Featuring Harold Arlen’s classic songs “Over the Rainbow,” “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead” and “If I Only Had A Brain,” The Wizard of Oz will have the entire family captivated as they travel down the yellow brick road for an unforgettable day at the theater. Tickets are available online at www.ithra.com, and start at only 75 riyals ($20).
Ithra is a creative and interactive public space for workshops, performances, events, exhibitions and experiences. It offers an enriching journey for everyone by championing diversity, celebrating creativity and encouraging collaboration with the objective of energizing Saudi Arabia’s knowledge economy. Ithra is Saudi Aramco’s most ambitious CSR initiative and the largest cultural contribution to the Kingdom.

 


Saudi Arabia announces new financial support to the Yemeni government

Updated 16 January 2026
Follow

Saudi Arabia announces new financial support to the Yemeni government

RIYADH: Saudi Ambassador to Yemen and Supervisor of the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen Mohammed Al-Jaber announced that the Kingdom, under the directives of its leadership, has provided new support to the Yemeni government's budget, aimed at paying the salaries of state employees in all sectors.

In a post on X, Al-Jaber stated that this support complements a package of development projects and initiatives, amounting to SR1.9 billion, announced on Wednesday. The package includes provision of necessary petroleum derivatives to operate power plants, which will contribute to improving the living standards of people in Yemen and alleviating daily burdens on them.

Al-Jaber’s post emphasized, in particular, that all salaries of military and security forces linked to the the higher military committee linked to the Saudi led Coalition will be paid as of Sunday. 

 

The post is likely relate to Several Media reports which have suggested that disgraced former Southern Transitional Council (STC) chief Aidaroos Al Zubaidi — who has now fled Yemen — was taking advantage of military personnel and withholding salaries as means of pressure. Al-Zubaidi is wanted by the Yemeni government for acts of high treason and corruption. 

The ambassador emphasized that these steps come within the framework of supporting the Yemeni government's efforts to implement the economic reform program, which aims to achieve financial and economic stability and enhance the state's ability to meet its basic obligations.