Black Theatre Troupe Opens Its 2018-19 Season With Its First Production Of THE WIZ

Black Theatre Troupe opens its 2018-19 season with its first production of THE WIZ, the rock and soul version of The Wizard of Oz. Performances of THE WIZ are Sept 28-Oct. 14 at the Tempe Center for the Arts, which will be the first time the acclaimed company has performed in the venue.

Tickets are $38 and are available at www.blacktheatretroupe.org or www.tempecenterforthearts.com.

The Tempe Center for the Arts is located at 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway.THE WIZ infuses L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz with a dazzling mix of rock, gospel and soul music. Dorothy's adventure through the Land of Oz is breathed new life and marked with Black Theatre Troupe's indelible musical stamp. Directed by David Hemphill with Musical Direction by Brenda Hankins and choreography by Lauran Stanis. The cast includes Ashley Jackson as Dorothy, Tyree Ballard as the Scarecrow, Pierre Brookins as the Lion, Frederick Alphonso as the Tin Man and George Johnson as The Wiz.

Debuting on Broadway in 1975, The Wiz marked a milestone on the Great White Way as one of an impressive number of productions with all Black casts. The production went on to garner a number of Broadways coveted Tony Awards including

• Best Musical
• Best Original Score
• Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Ted Ross
• Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Dee Dee Bridgewater
• Best Costume Design
• Best Choreography
• Best Direction of a Musical
• Best Book of a Musical