From Kansas to Vegas: Immersive Audio Technology at The Sphere to Bring New Life to The Wizard of Oz for a New Generation
Las Vegas' Sphere venue is set to host an immersive revival of The Wizard of Oz, integrating advanced audio technologies to enhance the historic score. This experience reimagines the classic film for a new, tech-savvy generation. Discussions include preserving musical authenticity while upgrading with the latest technologies.
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Key takeaways
The original score was re-recorded on the historic MGM scoring stage.
Sphere's immersive audio technology adds new depth and detail to the music.
Preserving Los Angeles as a hub for film scoring is crucial for maintaining quality.
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Audiences worldwide have cherished The Wizard of Oz for over eight decades, but The Wizard of Oz at Sphere is reimagining the classic for today’s technology-driven entertainment world. Las Vegas’ cutting-edge Sphere venue will host an immersive revival, pairing groundbreaking visuals with immersive audio technology that brings the Academy Award-winning score to life in ways never before possible. According to the Library of Congress, the 1939 MGM film has been seen by more viewers than any other movie, making this reinvention both a tribute and an opportunity to reintroduce the story to a generation raised on large-scale, sensory-rich experiences.
How do you preserve the soul of a cultural icon while using state-of-the-art technology to amplify its magic for modern audiences?
On this episode of Pro AV Today, host Ben Thomas sits down with Grammy Award-winning music supervisor Julianne Jordan to explore how the Sphere’s advanced audio capabilities elevate The Wizard of Oz at Sphere. They discuss the delicate process of preserving original performances while re-recording the film’s score, the technical and emotional challenges of adapting a 1939 masterpiece to a futuristic venue, and how this production bridges nostalgia and innovation for both longtime fans and first-time viewers.
Key conversation points include:
- The decision was made to re-record the original score on the historic MGM (now Sony) scoring stage, while preserving Judy Garland’s original vocals.
- How the Sphere’s immersive audio technology reveals new layers and intricacies in the music, from thematic motifs to the tornado scene’s complex orchestration.
- The importance of keeping large-scale film scoring in Los Angeles to preserve world-class musicianship and historic recording spaces.
Julianne Jordan is a Grammy Award-winning music supervisor with over 30 years of experience in film music production. She has worked on projects ranging from traditional theatrical releases to groundbreaking immersive presentations. Her credits include major studio films and innovative collaborations at the Sphere, where her expertise in preserving musical authenticity while embracing new technologies continues to distinguish her work.
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About the author
Ben Thomas serves as Head of Pro AV at MarketScale, where he leads content and media strategy for the pro AV sector. With over 15 years of award-winning experience across large-scale events, network television, OTT platforms, and podcasting, he has guided major B2B brands including Intel, Sennheiser, Samsung, and Philips to billions of content interactions. He holds a B.A. in Mass Communications and is recognized for his expertise in podcast hosting, public speaking, marketing, and content strategy.
