TV talent show judge Arlene Phillips and musical theatre performers Thom Allison and Louise Pitre are to sit on the judging panel for CBC’s upcoming show Over the Rainbow.

The show, to launch Sept. 16, will audition 10 young Canadian women for the role of Dorothy in a Toronto production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Wizard of Oz.

Louise Pitre is one of three judges named to CBC talent competition Over the Rainbow. (CBC)

At the end of eight weeks, Canadians will pick their favourite singer-actress through online voting.

CBC announced the panel Thursday, saying the judges will play an important role in highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each potential Dorothy.

Phillips is one of the UK’s most recognizable TV judges, having served on panels for Strictly Come Dancing, So You Think You Can Dance, DanceX and Strictly Dance Fever. She also directed works such as Lord of the Dance.

Winnipeg-born Thom Allison is currently starring in Ragtime at the Shaw Festival and just completed the Broadway run of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert. He also has been a mainstay at the Stratford Festival, having appeared in Romeo and Juliet, My Fair Lady and The King and I.

Ontario-born, Montreal-raised Pitre received a Tony nomination for her Broadway debut in Mamma Mia! and had signature roles in Les Misérables (Toronto, Montreal, Paris) and Edith Piaf.

In the spring, CBC named 20 talented women who were to advance to Dorothy boot camp to train for the lead role in The Wizard of Oz.

That boot camp took place this summer and the 10 Dorothys to compete in Over the Rainbow will be named Sept. 16. The final episode will feature a search for a dog to play Toto in the Over the Rainbow competition.

The stage music is to be produced by Mirvish Productions this December.