You no doubt know about Judy Garland's life after she became an icon with "The Wizard of Oz." But what about her childhood, in the time leading up to her "Oz" filming at the tender age of 16?

A new musical, "Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz," explores those formative years after her family moved from Minnesota to Hollywood in 1934. The Gumm girls had been performing in vaudeville. Frances Gumm (her name before she was re-christened Judy Garland) enters a school for child performers, where she befriends Joe Yule (who was renamed Mickey Rooney). Even as Frances is dealing with her parents' strife-riddled marriage, she is heading toward stardom.

"Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz" was conceived by Tina Maria Casamento Libby. The book is by Marc Acito, whose credits including writing the book for Broadway's "Allegiance," whose story was based on star George Takei's life. The music is adapted by David Libby.

Working with the team is John Fricke, a Judy Garland historian and author who serves as creative consultant and historian for "Chasing Rainbows."

And playing the plum role of young Judy Garland is Ruby Rakos, who was on Broadway in "Billy Elliot: The Musical."

"Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz," opens Friday and runs through Nov. 27, Goodspeed Opera House, 6 Main St., East Haddam; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Wed., 7:30 p.m. Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri., 3 and 8 p.m. Sat., and 2 p.m. Sun.; also 2 p.m. some Thursdays and 6:30 p.m. some Sundays; tickets start at $29; (860) 873-8668.