The Wiz at Bass Concert Hall

If the year has been rather dull, without joy, and fairly grey, you are in desperate need of a little colour. If the road has been tough, merciless, and bland, you need a little bit of the ‘yellow brick road’ – and Austin, this one is pure gold!

The legendary show that knocked Broadway off its axis in the 1970s is back – with more magic, more dazzle, and a whole lot more joy! Now if this isn’t news that makes the serotonin pump, wait until you hear the rest – the magical musical the world adores and screams for is easing on down the road in your way soon! It’s one of the liveliest, most energetic, and joyous musicals you’ve ever seen on the stage, and trust us – this brand new revival of the classic masterpiece is knocking it out of Oz! 

That’s it, Austin – Charlie Smalls and William F. Brown’s Tony Award-winning musical THE WIZ is coming to Bass Concert Hall at The University Of Texas At Austin, College of Fine Arts! 

The Wiz Tickets

“At the end of a year that’s often felt grey and drab, THE WIZ is a welcome escape.” – The Guardian

SYNOPSIS

Teenager and daydreamer Dorothy Gale is swept up by a tornado from the farm in Kansas where she lives with her Aunt Em, Uncle Henry, and Toto the dog. The house lands in a faraway land where reality seems a little different. Dazed and confused, Dorothy is advised to follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald City in the centre of Oz, where she will meet the great and powerful Wizard of Oz who will assist her to get back home. 

What wonders will Dorothy’s journey on the yellow brick hold for her – maybe meeting a bunch of strays in search of a brain, a heart, and courage; maybe a challenge to get rid of the Wizard’s arch enemy as a small price for his assistance; maybe deceptions, hope, and a whole lot of soul? 

THE WIZ is that one musical that has the power to gather all the musical theatre strays and give them exactly what they need. It has all the chemistry and joy you could possibly imagine; it oozes with timeless tunes and electrifying choreography; it redefines the term ‘showstoppers’ completely; and in simple and plain terms, is the most fun you’ll have in a while! 

“A cause for celebration!” – Chicago Tribune

CREATIVE TEAM

With the creative team that dreams are made of at the helm, it’s little surprise that THE WIZ’s brand new revival became a musical sensation. Director Schele Williams (Aida, The Notebook, Rent, Motown: The Musical) has conjured up – alongside choreographer Jaquel Knight, musical supervisor, arranger, and orchestrator Joseph Joubert, scenic designer Hannah Beachler, costume designer Sharen Davis, lighting designer Ryan J. O’Gara, music coordinator Michael Aarons, and musical director Victor Simonson – an absolutely golden “super soul musical” that can sweep any audience away with a one-way twister to Oz.

“There’s plenty of gold along this yellow brick road!” – The New York Times

CAST

Seismologists better keep an eye on the seismic activity around Austin, Texas, because the powerhouse vocals that comes with this season’s North American tour of THE WIZ is bound to shake the earth! Featuring the talents of Dana Cimone as Dorothy, Alan Mingo Jr. as The Wiz, Sheherazade as Glinda, Kyla Jade as Aunt Em and Evillene, D. Jerome as Tinman, Elijah Ahmad Lewis as Scarecrow, and Cal Mitchell as Lion, THE WIZ promises to be a massive not-to-be-missed treat! 

“Every moment bursts with colour and humour!” – Vogue

HISTORY & LEGACY

THE WIZ is a unique retelling of L. Frank Baum’s iconic children’s novel, The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz. American composer Charlie Smalls and playwright William F. Brown adapted the iconic tale with a contemporary African-American culture twist, connecting to the popular disco and Motown styles of the 1970s. THE WIZ opened in the mid-1970s at the Morris. A. Mechanic Theatre in Baltimore, moving to Broadway in 1975. To date, THE WIZ’s award-shelf groans heavily under the load of seven Tony Awards, five Drama Desk Awards, two Theatre World Awards, two Chita Rivera Award nominations, and a Grammy Award nomination.  

“GRADE A: Run, don’t ease, on down to this spectacular revival. This is the best iteration yet!” – Entertainment Weekly

BASS CONCERT HALL

The iconic Bass Concert Hall at The University of Texas at Austin’s College of Fine Arts is no stranger to productions that explode onto the stage in a puff of smoke and leave the audience dazzled with what they have just experienced. Boasting breathtaking architecture, superb acoustics, fantastic amenities, impeccable sight-lines, ample parking, and luxurious seating for up to 3,000 patrons, the Bass Concert Hall is where musical magic happens! 

So go ahead, get your tickets, and ease on down the road to a land of magic and music! 

“THE WIZ wiped them all away with its sass, bounce, and snappy tribute to MGM’s beloved film.” – Houston Press