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Inside the Las Vegas Sphere: An Astonishing Adventure of The Wizard of Oz

Las Vegas Sphere, it’s likely you’ve encountered it online — even if photos and videos fail to capture the vast glowing orb that seems to have descended from the heavens, landing just off the Strip from some far-off future.

The first occasion I visited, after navigating through the admirers and selfie-snappers outside, I found myself simply gazing upwards in wonder. It was difficult not to be in awe of this multi-billion-dollar tribute to the kind of opulence and uniqueness that only a city like Sin City can offer. Within the Sphere, the atmosphere is reminiscent of both a shopping center and a sci-fi spaceport. It’s the strangest yet ideal venue to host a prolonged screening of “The Wizard of Oz,” which is set to commence next week.

I first dropped by in the autumn of 2023, when the standout moment of my visit was viewing director Darren Aronofsky’s “Postcard From Earth” at the Sphere. At that moment, it felt like the most breathtaking cinematic experience of my life. Seats trembled as elephants strolled across the screen. A chilling breeze swept by as the camera glided over frosty peaks, while a tangy aroma wafted through the air during a scene where fruit was harvested. I exited pondering: How does anyone return to a standard theater after this?