We loved this experience! Of course Jack and I have seen the original many times--he more than I. He said that, unlike so many things, this actually lives up to the hype. The production is computer enhanced to take advantage of the 270° screen: over our heads and around both sides. Google told us the best section was in the 300s so that's where we sat.
As we took our seats (no late seating allowed) we heard a recording of an orchestra warming up. The show starts, as the original does, with a rectangle in front of us containing Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion roaring instead of the MGM lion. And then we all gasped as the viewing area opened up.
The seats shake from time to time and little things drop onto the audience but I think I'll let you be surprised what and when.
Beautiful closeups of Judy Garland as Dorothy, Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow, and Jack Haley as the Tin Man, as well as scary ones of the dreadful Wicked Witch (Margaret Hamilton). Trivia is that actor Buddy Ebsen was cast as the Tin Man but had to drop out because he was allergic to the silver makeup.
The opening has a dedication written at the movie's release, referring to the book's publication in 1900 ("For nearly forty years..."). Here's a photo I took from my seat, which doesn't do justice to the extreme wide angle of the screen.
The closing credits take up lots of space when the computer acknowledgements begin. Here's some other credit-related trivia from the original movie.
Be aware that it has been edited. The Sphere show is one hour and fifteen minutes long, whereas the original movie is 1:41, so some of our favorite bits are not included. Still totally worth it, even if, like us, you're not a Vegas person. We saw it on January 15 and its run has been extended, alternating with pop music concerts at the venue. And I learned today that another Sphere is planned for the Maryland/DC area.
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