From Kansas to Vegas: Immersive Audio Technology at The Sphere to Bring New Life to The Wizard of Oz for a New Generation

Audiences worldwide have cherished The Wizard of Oz for over eight decades, but a new production 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. 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.