The Wiz

The Wiz

  • June 8 - October 15, 2016
  • Allen Elizabethan Theatre
  • Book by William F. Brown | Music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls | From the story The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum | Directed by Robert O’Hara
Overview
Artists
Video
Reviews
Run Time:Approximately 2 hours, 40 minutes, including one intermission.

The quintessential feel-good musical

Dorothy, the Scarecrow, a witch named Evillene and that charismatic huckster the Wiz will light up the stage in this uproarious, song-filled adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, told through the lens of the African-American experience. With its arch social commentary, journey of self-discovery and infectious songs like “Ease On Down the Road,” The Wiz won seven Tony Awards and had a triumphant four-year run on Broadway. OSF is thrilled to bring this cultural touchstone of the 1970s to our outdoor Allen Elizabethan Theatre.

“...does joyful justice to the original's seven Tony Award-winning, four-year Broadway run.”
— Eureka Times-Standard


“Click your heels three times, and take yourself there!”
— Ashland Daily Tidings





El Mago -
The Wiz


El musical reconfortante por excelencia

Dorothy, el Scarecrow (Espantapájaros), una bruja llamada Evillene (Malévola) y el carismático embustero el Mago iluminarán al escenario en esta divertidísima adaptación llena de canciones de The Wizard of Oz (El Mago de Oz), presentada a través de la experiencia afroamericana. Con su puntiagudo comentario social, un trayecto de autodescubrimiento y canciones contagiosas como “Ease on Down the Road” (“Seguir Tranquilo por el Camino”) El Mago ganó siete Premios Tony y gozó de cuatro años triunfadores en Broadway. OSF está encantado de presentar este ejemplar cultural de los 1970 en el Allen Elizabethan Theatre, nuestro escenario al aire libre.

Para información en español, por favor llame a 541-482-2111 ext. 242.

Creators

Author
L. Frank Baum
Music & Lyrics
Charlie Smalls (1943–87)
Book
William F. Brown

Creative Team

Director
Robert O'Hara
Music Director
Choreographer
Byron Easley
Scenic Designer
Costume Designer
Dede M. Ayite
Lighting Designer
Japhy Weideman
Sound Designer
Lindsay Jones
Video Designer
Jeff Sugg
Associate Music Director, Arrangements & Synth Programmer
Kenny Seymour
Assistant Choreographer
Lauren E. J. Hamilton
Dramaturg
Voice & Text Director
Rebecca Clark Carey
Fight Director
U. Jonathan Toppo*
Stage Manager
Amy Miranda Bender*
New York Casting
 Calleri Casting (James Calleri, Paul Davis, Erica Jensen, Geoff Josselson)
New York Casting
Elissa Myers Casting (Paul Fouquet, Karie Koppel)

Cast

Dorothy (June 8–Aug. 13)
Ashley D. Kelley
Dorothy (Aug. 18–Oct. 15))
Britney Simpson*
Uncle Henry/The Wiz/Ens
Jordan Barbour*
Aunt Em/Evillene/Ens
Yvette Monique Clark*
Glinda/Ens (June 8–Aug. 13)
Britney Simpson*
Glinda/Ens (Aug. 18–Oct. 15)
Yvette Monique Clark*
Addaperle/Ensemble
Michele Mais*
Scarecrow
J. Cameron Barnett*
Tinman
Rodney Gardiner
Lion
Christiana Clark*
Ensemble
Tramell Tillman*
Ensemble
Cedric Lamar*
Ensemble
Jonathan Luke Stevens*
Ensemble
Briawna Jackson**
Ensemble
Tatiana Lofton
Ensemble
Jennie Greenberry*
Ensemble
Desmond Nunn**
Ensemble
Eean S. Cochran**
Soprano Pit Singer
Stephanie Anne Johnson
Alto Pit Singer
Daniela Cobb**
Tenor Pit Singer
Michael J. McDonald
Toto
Chaz 
Toto
Spanky 

Musicians

Conductor (June 8–August 13)
Bert Cross II
Conductor (August 18–October 15)
Kirk E. Smith
Drums
Ivan Payne
Keyboards
Kent Wilson
Keyboards
Guitar
Jeff Pevar
Bass
Jacob Asa Ackerman
Woodwinds
Gordon Greenley
Trombone
Mark Eliot Jacobs
Trumpet
Daniel Kocurek
* Member of Actors' Equity Association (AEA)
**AEA Professional Theatre Intern
  • The Wiz image

    Trailer

    Don't miss this amazing, energetic, fun and fierce production.

  • ivp image

    Stage Notes: The Wiz

    Assistant Director Graham Smith talks about this energetic, amazing show and how it differs from the film and other stage productions. Excerpted from the Informed Volunteer Program, moderated by Lue Morgan Douthit.

  • image of Cherelle D. Guyton

    Snapshot: Creating for Authenticity & Character

    Interim Hair and Wigs Supervisor Cherelle D. Guyton and Wig and Hair Master Marcia Willard talk about the wigs they have created for this season's production of THE WIZ (and the 10 other shows), how they build a wig with hair that reflects the natural curl of the actor's hair and the importance of customizing the wig for the actor and character.

  • Wiz rehearsal image

    Snapshot: Choreography in The Wiz

    Go behind the scenes into the rehearsal hall with Choreographer Byron Easley, Assistant Choreographer Lauren Hamilton and Dance Captain Christopher Young as they talk about their process for creating the dances for THE WIZ.

  • Costume shop image

    Snapshot: It Takes a Village

    Master Stitcher Alice Risser describes the process of bringing the designer's renderings to the stage, and here she demonstrates how they put together the Tin Man's costume , "a project in discovery."

  • Scenic artist image

    Snapshot: The China Silk Drop Challenge

    Mikah Berky,assistant charge scenic artist, describes how the team set about to achieve the intricate detail of the drop and paint as they usually do on China silk, while maintaining the quality of the flow and airiness of the silk.

  • Times Standard logo

    This sure-to-be-sold-out hit of the 2016 outdoor season is a red-hot ticket!

    Every element created by the OSF company to meet the production's multiple challenges more than does joyful justice to the original's seven Tony Award-winning, four-year Broadway run.

  • Daily Tidings logo

    Ashland Daily Tidings

    Almost embarrassingly good. OSF's "The Wiz" is right on the money. Click your heels three times, and take yourself there!

  • OregonArtsWatch logo

    Oregon Arts Watch

    Theater has a space for fun, high fashion, and a sheer high level of skilled performance that doesn’t have to end with blood and tears. That’s this show, this year, at OSF.