Belasco Theater's production of "The Wiz"

Ease on down the road with this new version of the classic musical

My favorite part of the Wizard of Oz has always been the wardrobe. And of course, Dorothy’s purely iconic ruby red sequined slippers with the dainty bow on the top! Look out, because Dorothy is getting a makeover. And so is the entire production of the 1939 classic film.

Belasco Theatre Company (www.belasco.org) presents their young, hip version, of the classic, The Wiz. The Wiz is a musical version of the older story with a lively mixture of rock, gospel, and soul music.

Belasco Theatre Company is a youth theatre training and performance group, which, for 21 years, has delighted audiences with shows including Oklahoma!, Gypsy, Bye Bye Birdie, Grease, and Little Shop of Horrors. Actors in the Company are as young as 5-years-old and as old as 19.

“The Wiz is the grandest version of the Wizard of Oz story there is,” says Edward Belasco, Director of Belasco Theatre Company.  “It has an urban spark and magic that just jumps off the stage.”

Kamaria Ousley plays Dorothy. “When I was asked to come and repeat my role as Dorothy, I jumped at the chance!” Kamaria recently performed at Jazzar 2008 in Switzerland, where she was accompanied by Whitney Houston’s rhythm section. Oakland native and recent American Idol contestant Jonathon Smothers plays the Cowardly Lion. Smothers says The Wiz is “an urban musical at its roots and the afro-centric music will get everyone going.”

The Wiz runs August 7 through August 22. Shows start on Thursday nights at 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturday nights at 8pm, and Saturday and Sundays at 2pm. There will be an additional show on Wednesday, August 20 at 7:30 pm. Purchase tickets at www.belasco.org or at the door. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $15 for Seniors and students ages 12-18, and $10 for children under 12. See the show on opening night, August 7, when all seats costs just $10. Grab the kids and come out to see this modern, updated version of The Wizard of Oz that will leave you dancing in the aisles!  Malonga Arts Center Theatre (formerly Alice Arts), 1428 Alice St., Oakland, (925) 284-9544.
 

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