There are few movie musicals more familiar than the 1939 classic “The Wizard of Oz.” Yet, even those who know it best may well discover it anew with the Asolo Repertory Theatre’s adventurous and creative summer family production of “The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition.”

It is a roughly 75-minute telling of the film version of L. Frank Baum’s book, with portions of almost all the famous songs, and inventively staged by Cat Brandisi to appeal both to adults and the young children who may be lucky enough to be experiencing live theater for the first time.

Though it features adult actors – all students or recent graduates from the FSU/Asolo Conservatory and the theater department at Florida State University – they convey the playful spirit of children who have decided to make up their own backyard performance, only with lots more technical wizardry involved.

During “Over the Rainbow,” bluebirds fly by dangling from a bouncing fishing pole. Shadow puppets are used to show people caught up in the cyclone that whisks young Dorothy Gale from her Kansas prairie home to the magical land of Oz. Instead of a crystal ball, Professor Marvel badly uses a Magic 8 ball to predict Dorothy’s future.

Dorothy’s dog Toto looks like a mop that is brought to life by sticks before becoming even more animated in Oz.

At every turn, there are welcome surprises. Scenic designer Natalie Eslami creates the plainness of Kansas with some sepia-toned burlap-bag-looking curtains and covered crates that fly away when the stage turns more colorful in Oz. Most of the cast members play multiple roles, and costume designer Jordan Jeffer makes their character changes seemingly easy – sometimes done at center stage – with originality and a touch of what we expect. Lighting designer Will Johnson and sound designer Matthew Parker contribute to the constantly changing scenes with impactful creations.

Audiences even get to walk down a piece of the yellow brick road as they enter the Cook Theatre.

The production is led by the bright-voiced Aria Rayes as Dorothy, who has a bit of a take-charge attitude when confronting Ellie Papataros as both Miss Gulch and the Wicked Witch of the West. This is not the whiny Dorothy we’ve seen for years, pleading with Auntie Em to protect Toto from the villain’s clutches. She stands up for herself.

During Saturday’s opening performance, there were lots of shrieks and screams (a mix of delightful and fearful) each time Papataros appeared in a plume of smoke or just loudly cackled as the witch taunted Dorothy.

Rayes is well supported by a charming group of actors who play the friends Dorothy meets along the way. Zach Harris is good natured as Uncle Henry and more pompous as both the Wizard and Professor Marvel. Alex Hatcher, who starred in last summer’s “A Year with Frog and Toad,” is a terrifically loose-limbed Scarecrow, who has more brains than he may realize. Jake Tottle has fun trying to play rough and tough as the cowardly lion, and Tin Tran creates a lot of warmth as the supposedly heartless Tin Man.

Angelina Carballo seems to float on stage (surrounded by bubbles) as Glinda who provides guidance for Dorothy on her journey to Oz.

And you may well keep your eyes focused on Ashley Brooke Raymond who is a delight as the friendly but sometimes troublesome Toto.

For those who know the story best, this shortened and tightened production may feel a bit fast-paced. There’s barely time to catch your breath after one fun song or illusion. But it’s a smart move by Brandisi to keep the action moving so that the littlest ones won’t become bored.

It becomes a joyous journey that is simultaneously nostalgic and brand new to bring out the child in all of those watching.

‘The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition.’ By L. Frank Baum. Music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg. Directed and choreographed by Cat Brandisi. Musical direction by Carl Haan. Reviewed July 11, Asolo Repertory Theatre Cook Theatre, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Tickets are $15-$19.  Through Aug. 2. asolorep.org; 941-351-8000