The University of Minnesota Theatre will perform The Wiz in April of 2008 under the artistic team of director Dominic Taylor, assistant director T. Mychael Rambo, musical director Sanford Moore, and choreographer Uri Sands. This tour de force artistic team will explore Oz like never before, leading a cast comprised of students from many disciplines throughout the University.
WHAT: The Wiz
WHEN: April 11-19, 2008
WHO: University of Minnesota's Department of Theatre Arts and Dance students under the direction of Dominic Taylor, with T. Mychael Rambo, musical direction by Sanford Moore, and choreography by Uri Sands.
WHERE: Rarig Center's Stoll Thrust Theatre, West Bank Arts Quarter, University of Minnesota. 330 21st Ave. S, Minneapolis
TICKETS: $12 - $17 and $2 at the door. U of M Arts Ticket Office 612.624.2345.
THE TRADITION OF OZ
Through the trials and tribulations of Dorothy, The Wiz tells a tale of finding one's place in the world. The universal themes of courage, intelligence, love, and the importance of home are personal journeys that each character takes on their own. Even while the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, and Dorothy all travel together, their journey is one of finding what each are missing as individuals: a heart, a brain, courage, and a home.
The University Theatre is proud to be a part of the long history of The Wiz. In 1975 The Wiz opened and ran for 1,672 performances on Broadway. Two subsequent national tours and one big-budget/big star film adaptation later, The Wiz became known for its electric musical score and its all African American cast, which was a first for Broadway. More than 30 years later, The Wiz is poised for a possible return to Broadway with the recent success of the Los Angeles based Ja Jolla Playhouse's re-imagining of the tale, and an overwhelming renewed interest in the Land of Oz.
Despite the many adaptations of L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the heart of the story remains the same. Wherever Oz may be to you -- whether as a new student at the University of Minnesota, in a new job, or the deserts of Iraq -- if you believe in yourself, you can always find home.
TICKET/PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The Wiz runs April 11th - 19th, 2008, at the Rarig Center's Stoll Thrust Theatre in the University of Minnesota's West Bank Arts Quarter. For ticket information, call the University Arts Ticket Office at 612.624.2345 or visit the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance.. For group sales information, call 612.625.8878. For additional information please contact Sean M. Nolan at utheatre@umn.edu or call 612.625.4001.
