OzWiki:Current events

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Going on now

Wicked play, around the world

Now playing: Wicked. This is it, the biggest thing to hit Oz in years: the award-winning musical based on Gregory Maguire's novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. The book is by Winnie Holzman, the music by Stephen Schwartz, and the show is directed by Joe Mantello. It has done so well, it has spawned the following sit-down companies:

After successful runs in Tokyo and Osaka, a Japanese touring company of Wicked is scheduled to play in Fukuoka April 3 to May 29, 2011. See wicked.jp for details.

Wicked is also now touring in Australia, with the following stops already announced:

See wickedthemusical.com.au for more about the show in Australia.

That long-rumored Dutch production may finally open in Scheveningen, The Netherlands late in 2011.

Wicked is also touring North America. For more information and updates about the tour, see wickedthemusical.com/#WickedCitiesOnTour or musicalschwartz.com/wicked-tour.htm. Here's the current schedule (locations and dates are subject to change):

And for the first time, new productions, not based on the Broadway original, have been authorized. So far announced:

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz series, on the Internet

Now playing: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz series, jaroo.com and hulu.com. The online cartoon broadcast site, jaroo.com, is showing the 1987 Cinar Productions series of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Based on the Oz books The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Marvelous Land of Oz, Ozma of Oz, and The Emerald City of Oz and originally made in Japan, you can now watch selected episodes online, with a new episode being made available once a week. To start watching, go to http://www.jaroo.com/shows/about/the-wonderful-wizard-of-oz. Also showing the series is hulu.com. To see the show there, go to http://www.hulu.com/tv and do a search for "Wonderful Wizard of Oz".

High Drama: Against All Oz show, on the Internet

Now playing: High Drama: Against All Oz, thewb.com. The late television network is reborn as an online broadcaster. Besides many old Warner Bros. shows, they also have a reality series, a behind-the-scenes look at a high school's production of The Wizard of Oz. To see the trailer and watch episodes from the first two seasons, go to thewb.com/shows/high-drama.

"Not in Kansas Anymore" episode of Fame, on the Internet

Now playing: "Not in Kansas Anymore" episode of Fame, hulu.com. Episodes of the classic series Fame are now available to watch on the Internet, including this Oz-themed episode. Doris, after finding out that she's not eligible to be in the next show, conks herself on the head and dreams that the School for the Arts has been transformed into Oz, with all of her friends and teachers playing its citizens. To watch, go to http://www.hulu.com/watch/151850/fame-not-in-kansas-anymore.

"Off to See the Wizard" on My Fair Wedding with David Tutera, WE channel, nationwide telecast

Now airing: "Off to See the Wizard" episode, My Fair Wedding with David Tutera, WE Channel, nationwide telecast. Wedding planner David Tutera has to swoop in and rescue a Wizard of Oz-themed wedding. Can he do it without breaking up the happy couple? This episode has the following scheduled airtimes (all times listed are EST):

  • Thursday, May 12, 11:00 a.m.

Check your local listings for exact channel and times in your area. For further showtimes, see the episode's website at zap2it.com. You can even watch a clip at http://www.wetv.com/video/747509065001/my-fair-wedding-wizard-of-oz-bride.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: The True Story documentary, nationwide telecast, BBC Four

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: The True Story documentary, nationwide telecast, BBC Four. This new documentary examines the entire Oz phenomenon, beginning with its creation by L. Frank Baum in the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and progressing to the current day. It includes appearances and commentary by Baum's great-grandchildren, Robert Baum and Gita Morena, and Oz experts John Fricke, Michael Patrick Hearn, and Eric Shanower, among others. Currently scheduled airtimes (all times listed are BST) are:

  • Sunday, May 1, 2011, 20:00
  • Wednesday, May 4, 2011, 22:00
  • Thursday, May 5, 2011, 03:20

For details, see the programme's website at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00sjbw1.

"The Wizard of Odd" on Phineas and Ferb, the Disney Channel and Disney XD, nationwide cablecast

Now airing: "The Wizard of Odd" episode, Phineas and Ferb, the Disney Channel and Disney XD, nationwide cablecast. Stepbrothers Phineas and Ferb are off to see the Wizard in this take-off of The Wizard of Oz. This episode of the show Phineas and Ferb is scheduled to be shown at the following times:

  • Sunday, May 1, 4:30 p.m., Disney XD
  • Saturday, May 7, 7:30 p.m., Disney XD
  • Tuesday, May 9, 3:30 p.m., Disney Channel
  • Friday, May 13, 3:00 a.m., Disney Channel

Check your local listings for exact channels and times in your area. For further showtimes, see the episode's website at zap2it.com.

"Twister" on The Suite Life on Deck, the Disney Channel and Disney XD, nationwide cablecast

Now airing: "Twister" three-part story, The Suite Life on Deck, the Disney Channel, nationwide cablecast. The Suite Life on Deck gang takes on Oz in the three-part storyline, "Twister". The story is scheduled to be shown at the following times:

  • Saturday, May 7, 3:00 p.m. (part 1), 3:30 p.m. (part 2), and 4:00 p.m. (part 3), Disney Channel
  • Saturday, May 7, 10:00 p.m. (part 1), 10:30 p.m. (part 2), and 11:00 p.m. (part 3), Disney Channel

Check your local listings for exact channels and times in your area. For further showtimes, see the episodes' websites at zap2it.com — part 1, part 2, and part 3

Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Wizard of Oz play, London, England

Oz in London.jpg

Now playing: The Wizard of Oz, The West End, London, England, United Kingdom. Danielle Hope won the role of Dorothy through the television show Over the Rainbow (and the runner-up, Sophie Evans, is her understudy), and now you can see her in the part in Andrew Lloyd Webber's version of the show. Michael Crawford is playing the Wizard, with Hannah Waddingham as the Wicked Witch of the West. News and information is available on Webber's website, at andrewlloydwebber.com/shows/the-wizard-of-oz, and the show's website is at http://www.wizardofozthemusical.com/.

The Wizard of Oz, throughout the United Kingdom

Now playing: The Wizard of Oz, throughout the United Kingdom. Oz is a popular show to perform in the United Kingdom, and there always seems to be a show going on somewhere. For a complete listing of all upcoming productions of The Wizard of Oz in the United Kingdom, see the listings at The List, naturally.

The Wizard of Oz ballet, Akron, Ohio

Now through May 1, 2011: The Wizard of Oz ballet, Akron Civic Theatre, Akron, Ohio. A new ballet interpretation of The Wizard of Oz, presented by the Ballet Theatre of Ohio. For details, see http://www.ballettheatreohio.org/html/seasonWizardOfOz.htm.

Incredible Costumes from Film and TV exhibit, Indianapolis, Indiana

Now through May 8, 2011: Incredible Costumes from Film and TV exhibit, Indianapolis Childrens' Museum, Indianapolis, Indiana. See Darth Vader's cape and helmet! See the Batsuit! And...the Wicked Witch of the West's hat! All these and more iconic costumes are on display at the Indianapolis Children's Museum. A special visit by characters from Oz is planned for April 9. For more information, see the exhibit's website at http://www.childrensmuseum.org/incredible-costumes.

The Wizard of Oz play, Fort Worth, Texas

Now through May 22, 2011: The Wizard of Oz play, Casa Mañana Theatre, Fort Worth, Texas. The famous musical version of the story, based on the movie. For more information or to purchase tickets, see http://www.casamanana.org/playhouse/wizard.html.

The Wizard of Oz museum exhibit, Memphis, Tennessee

Now through June 12, 2011: The Wizard of Oz interactive museum exhibit, Children's Museum of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee. Based on the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, this exhibit presents interactive displays of Dorothy and her friends. For more information, see the museum's website at http://www.cmom.com/.

The Wizard of Oz on tour, the United Kingdom

Wizard UK.jpg

The Wizard of Oz on tour, throughout the United Kingdom. This new touring stage production features Steph Fearon, a finalist in the series Over the Rainbow, as Dorothy, comedian Bobby Davro as the Scarecrow, and television star Sarah-Jane Honeywell as Glinda. Here are the currently scheduled dates and locales for the tour:

Da Hip-Hop Wizzard of Oz, Southern California

Da Hip-Hop Wizzard of Oz, throughout southern California. The LQ's Performing Arts Center is taking their hit show Da Hip-Hop Wizzard of Oz on the road throughout southern California. Currently scheduled performances are:

  • May 7, 2011: K. L. Peters Auditorium, Beverly Hills, California

For more details about the company or the show, or to buy tickets, see their website at http://www.lqspac.org/index.html.

The Whiz: Over the Rainbow, on tour

The Whiz: Over the Rainbow show, presented by Nicholas Leichter Dance, on tour. This dance extravaganza reimagines and reinterprets The Wizard of Oz and The Wiz for the Obama generation. Currently scheduled performances:

  • May 2-8, 2011: Intermedia Arts, Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • May 21, 2011: Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, Tacoma, Washington
  • June 4, 2011: Tony Bennett Concert Hall, Astoria, New York

For more information, see the company's website at http://www.nldnyc.org/calendar.html.

The Wizard of Oz play, Northport, New York

Now through June 19, 2011: The Wizard of Oz play, John W. Engeman Theater at Northport, Northport, New York. As part of their Children's Theater series, the theater is presenting late-in-the-morning performances of The Wizard of Oz Saturday and Sunday mornings. Showtimes are at 11:00 a.m. on Saturdays, and 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. This version is based presented as a fresh new musical comedy, containing adventure, friendly characters and humor. People of all ages will enjoy this colorful classic fairy tale from somewhere over the rainbow! Ticket prices are $15. For more details or to purchase tickets, see http://www.johnwengemantheater.com/.

"Cyclones on the Prairies: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and the Arts & Crafts of Publishing, Chicago, 1900" exhibit, San Francisco, California.

Now through June 27, 2011: "Cyclones on the Prairies: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and the Arts & Crafts of Publishing, Chicago, 1900" exhibit, Book Club of California, San Francisco, California. The Book Club of California's latest exhibit showcases The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and the rest of the Oz series, as well as the career of L. Frank Baum. Peter E. Hanff, from whose collection much of the exhibit comes from, will give a talk on the final day. The Club is open to the public Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and is located at 312 Sutter Street, Suite 500. For more information, see the Club's website at http://www.bccbooks.org/index.htm.

150 Things I Love About Kansas museum exhibit, Topeka, Kansas

Now through December 31, 2011: 150 Things I Love About Kansas exhibit, Kansas Museum of History, Topeka, Kansas. To celebrate the state's sesquicentennial (it was admitted to the Union on January 29, 1861), the Kansas Museum of History is presenting an exhibit of 150 Things I Love About Kansas. One area is devoted to The Wizard of Oz and its place in depicting Kansas. For details, see the museum's website at http://www.kshs.org/p/150-things-i-love-about-kansas/15782.

May 2011

Wizard of Oz Month Celebration, the Internet

May, 2011: Wizard of Oz Programming, Seasons & Celebrations, Live365.com Internet Radio. In honor of L. Frank Baum's birthday on May 15, this online radio station, with different topical programming each month, plays music about Oz, including songs from Oz movies and plays. Also in the mix is Judy Garland reprising her role as Dorothy in the 1950 Lux Radio Theatre adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. To listen, go to live365.com/stations/tc_arts_ent.

A Wonderful Wicked Wizard of Oz musical play, Ridgewood and/or Sparta, New Jersey

May, 2011: A Wonderful Wicked Wizard of Oz musical play, Acting-A-Part Theatre Company, Ridgewood and/or Sparta, New Jersey. The classes are already underway for these musical theater students ages eight and up, but the final result should be fun for Oz fans: the new original musical, A Wonderful Wicked Wizard of Oz. It will be performed some weekend in May, at either the Ridgewood or Sparta locations, or perhaps both. Keep an eye on http://www.actingapart.com/ for more details.

Linda Eder Sings Judy Garland, Boston, Massachusetts

May 11-13, 2011: "Linda Eder Sings Judy Garland" with the Boston Pops Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Boston, Massachusetts. To open its new season, celebrating the American Songbook, the Boston Pops and singer Linda Eder will present a selection of songs made famous by Judy Garland, including "Over the Rainbow". The public is welcome to take part by submitting videos of themselves singing "Over the Rainbow" for a collage that will highlight Boston Pops performances this season. (For more details on the contest, see http://www.bso.org/bso/mods/content1.jsp?id=43400051.) For more details on the season opening concert, see http://www.bso.org/bso/mods/perf_detail.jsp?pid=prod3880217.

Miss Oz-Stravaganza Pageant, Chittenango, New York

May 14, 2011: Miss Oz-Stravaganza Pageant, Chittenango High School, Chittenango, New York. For the first time, L. Frank Baum's home town's Oz-Stravaganza will have a Miss Oz-Stravaganza — and she receives her crown here! Girls from ages 2 to 19 living in the areas served by Chittenango schools are encouraged to participate. The winners will serve as ambassadors for the community and at a variety of Oz-Stravaganza! activities. For more details (or, if you qualify, to be in the pageant), see http://www.oz-stravaganza.com/content/miss-oz-stravaganza-pageant.

The Wizard of Oz: The Ballet, Burnsville, Minnesota

May 18-19, 2011: The Wizard of Oz: The Ballet, Burnsville Performing Arts Center, Burnsville, Minnesota. Twin Cities Ballet of Minnesota, Ballet Royale Minnesota, and Envision Academy of the Arts are teaming up to present this world premiere ballet, based on the famous story. Performances both nights begin at 7:00 p.m., and ticket prices range from $10 to $22. For more information or to buy tickets, see http://www.burnsvillepac.com/event-calendar/view/242/70.

Yellow Brick Road Festival, Sedan, Kansas

May 21, 2011: Yellow Brick Road Festival, Sedan, Kansas. Another town in Kansas celebrates The Wizard of Oz. For details, see http://www.lasr.net/travel/city.php?Sedan&Kansas&Yellow+Brick+Road+Festival&City_ID=KS0604019&Event_ID=KS0604019e002&VE=Y

June 2011

Oz-Stravaganza, Chittenango, New York

June 3-5, 2011: Oz-Stravaganza, Chittenango, New York. L. Frank Baum's home town honors their favorite son with this annual festival (formerly known as Oz Fest). This year's guests include Movie Munchkins Margaret Pellegrini and Karl Slover; Oz author and historian John Fricke; L. Frank Baum's great-grandsons Roger and Robert Baum; Judy Garland's stand-in, Caren Marsh-Doll; Judy Garland dress collector Michael Siewert; and Oz artist and Marvel Oz comics writer Eric Shanower. Events include a children's OZ costume contest; craft and vendor booths; the Munchkin Mile Kids Fun Run; and lots of other contests. For more information, see the festival's website at oz-stravaganza.com, or the town's website at www.chittenango.org.

Ozma of Oz musical, San Francisco, California

June 10-11, 2011: Ozma of Oz trip-hop musical, The Cutting Ball Theater, San Francisco, California. In this new musical adaptation of L. Frank Baum's third Oz book, director Rob Melrose collaborates with the San Francisco-based electro-rock group Z.O.N.K. to create Cutting Ball’s first musical, a trip-hop fantasy that captures L. Frank Baum’s American breed of surrealism with just a hint of the post-modern. For more information, see the company's website at http://cuttingball.com/season/1011/risk-is-this-2011/.

Judy Garland Festival, Grand Rapids, Minnesota

June 16-18, 2011: Judy Garland Festival, Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Judy's home town throws its annual party in her honor. For more information, check out the website at judygarlandmuseum.com.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz exhibit, Kalamazoo, Michigan

June 18-September 5, 2011: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz museum exhibit, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, Kalamazoo, Michigan. The traveling children's museum exhibit has made its way to Michigan. Based on the original novel by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by W. W. Denslow, visitors step into the book and follow the yellow brick road through interactive exhibits. For more information, see the Kalamazoo Valley Museum's website at http://kvm.kvcc.edu/. (Afterwards, the exhibit is expected to travel to the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts; The Kansas Children's Discovery Center in Topeka, Kansas; and the Lied Discovery Children's Museum in Las Vegas, Nevada.)

July 2011

The Wizard of Oz with Seattle Symphony, Seattle, Washington

WizOfOzSeattleSymphony.jpg

July 7 and 9, 2011: The Wizard of Oz with Seattle Symphony, Benaroya Hall, Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Symphony performs the soundtrack of the famous film version of The Wizard of Oz while the movie plays on a screen above them. For more details or to purchase tickets, see seattlesymphony.org.

The Winkie Convention, Pacific Grove, California

July 8-10, 2011: The Winkie Convention, Asilomar Conference Center, Pacific Grove, California. Highlights include the auction and sales tables, the costume contest, and the annual Winkie Award. Special presentations will highlight the centennial of The Sea Fairies. Special guests will be Tommy Kovacs, writer of the comic book The Royal Historian of Oz, and Kirk Kushin, writer of the Ozopolis comic book. For more information, see http://hungrytigerpress.blogspot.com/p/winkie-convention.html, and keep an eye on the event's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=135243296512937&ref=ts.

The Wizard of Fu play, Johannesburg, South Africa

July 8-9, 2011: The Wizard of Fuplay, Joburg Promusica Theatre, Johannesburg, South Africa. Presented by Stageworx Performing Arts, this is not your typical visit to Oz! After landing in the Land Of Fu after a storm, Dorethy, from the small town of Kroonstad, goes on a journey to find the Wizard to help her get home. All is not well in the land though. People are missing things. The Lion is missing his courage, Mr. Tin has lost his heart, the Scarecrow has lost his dancing skills, Miley Cyrus has lost Hannah Montana and Justin Beiber has lost his voice!! Watch Dorethy enter a land of Funky song and dance as she goes on a mission to put everything right. Features the band Sergeant Fu. Shows are at 11:00 a.m. Tickets are R60 for adults, R50 for children, and R40 for members of groups of ten or more. For more information, see http://www.promusica.co.za/whatson.html and scroll down.

Oz Forever workshop, Lake Oswego, Oregon

July 11-22, 2011: Oz Forever workshop, Lakewood Center for the Arts, Lake Oswego, Oregon. This is an acting workshop for young thespians, aged 7 to 16, culminating in the public performance of the original musical Forever Oz. It's forty years later, and Dorothy's grandchildren are now off to Oz, where they meet the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, Cowardly Lion, and the new Wizard of Oz. For details, see the website at http://www.lakewood-center.org/pages/lakewood-news-classes-2011-summer.

Pratt County Fair, Pratt, Kansas

July 20-23, 2011: Pratt County Fair, Pratt, Kansas. In honor of the state's sesquicentennial this year, the Pratt County Fair's theme will be "There's No Place Like the Fair", and all kinds of Oz events will take place, including a request for Oz-themed arts and crafts displays. For more information, see the fair's website at http://www.pratt.ksu.edu/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=48.

August 2011

The International Wizard of Oz Club's National Convention, Banner Elk, North Carolina

August 5-7, 2011: The International Wizard of Oz Club's National Oz Convention, Banner Elk, North Carolina. The Oz Club brings its annual convention to the site of the Wizard of Oz theme park of the 1970s, where many of the attractions still stand. Alongside its usual activities, former park employees are expected to talk about their time there. Details coming when they're available. But you can take a look at the flyer right here.

Autumn 2011

The Wizard of Oz touring show, throughout the United States and Canada

The Wizard of Oz on Tour. This is a North America-wide tour of The Wizard of Oz on stage, based on the famous movie version. Dates for the upcoming season have yet to be announced. For more information about the show, see the website at http://wizardofozontour.com/.

September 2011

Galdra Karlin í Oz, Reykjavik, Iceland

Opens September, 2011: Galdra Karlin í Oz, Borgarleikhúsið, Reykjavik, Iceland. The Reykjavik City Theater (to use its English name) is putting on a big stage production of Galdra Karlin í Oz (known in English as The Wizard of Oz). For details, keep an eye on the theater's website at http://www.borgarleikhus.is/.

Chesterton Wizard of Oz Festival, Chesterton, Indiana

September 16-18, 2011: Chesterton Wizard of Oz Festival, Chesterton, Indiana. One of the earliest Wizard of Oz festivals, this year Chesterton celebrates its twenty-ninth edition. For more information, see the event's website at www.ozfestivalchesterton.com.

October 2011

Autumn at Oz Party, Banner Elk, North Carolina

October, 2011: Autumn at Oz Party, Beech Mountain, Banner Elk, North Carolina. The Wizard of Oz Park on the mountain may no longer be in regular operation, but it's still there, and Oz and park fans get together once a year for a party. Special guests will be announced soon. For more information, check out emeraldmtn.com/LandofOz/autumn.htm.

Oztoberfest, Wamego, Kansas

October, 2011: Oztoberfest, Wamego, Kansas. The town not only has an Oz museum, they're putting on an Oz festival. Munchkins, authors, and other special guests will attend, and there's also admission to the museum. For more details, call the Oz museum at 1-866-458-TOTO, or see the event's website at oztoberfest.com.

Downtown in Oz Festival, Poplar Bluff, Missouri

October, 2011: Downtown in Oz Festival, Black River Coliseum, Poplar Bluff, Missouri. A free celebration of Oz. For details, see the website at http://www.downtowninoz.com/.

November 2011

Wizard of Oz Festival and movie showing, Woodridge, Illinois

November, 2011: Wizard of Oz Festival, Hollywood Boulevard Cinema, Woodridge, Illinois. The cinema's annual showing of The Wizard of Oz, which is usually a big event with special Munchkin guests. For more details, see www.atriptothemovies.com.

The Wizard of Oz, TBS and/or TNT cablecasts

November, 2011: The Wizard of Oz, TBS and TNT cablecasts. The stations' annual Thanksgiving-season showing of the famous film version. For details, see the dedicated pages for the movie on TBS's and TNT's websites.

December, 2011

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus cablecast, ABC Family Channel

December, 2011: The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus cablecast, ABC Family Channel. The 1985 Rankin-Bass special, based on the book of the same name by L. Frank Baum, makes its annual holiday season showing as part of ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas celebration. Keep an eye on the TV listings as the time gets closer.

2012

The International Wizard of Oz Club's National Convention, Macatawa, Michigan

Some time in 2012 (date to be announced): The International Wizard of Oz Club's National Convention, Macatawa, Michigan. L. Frank Baum's old summer home, The Sign of the Goose, was in the resort town of Macatawa, on the shore of Lake Michigan. Baum even poked fun at his neighbors in his pseudonymous book, Tamawaca Folks. So Macatawa makes a natural setting for an Oz convention. Keep an eye here for updates and further information.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: A New Musical, to be announced

Some time in 2012 (date and location to be announced): The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: A New Musical. This new musical version of the story looks back to its origins, and is based on the original novel and the first dramatic adaptation, a 1903 stage musical. For more information, keep you eye on the show's website at http://www.wwozanewmusical.webs.com/.

February 2012

Run for Oz benefit road race, New Orleans, Louisiana

February, 2012: Run for Oz 5K Benefit Road Race, New Orleans, Louisiana. Get a head start on Mardi Gras, dress as your favorite Oz character, and help out the Ozanam Inn Weekend Clinic at Tulane University. For more details, see http://raceforoz.eventbrite.com/.

April 2012

Oz Marathon Road Race, Olathe, Kansas

April, 2012: Oz Marathon Road Race, Olathe, Kansas. Well, if you're going to organize a long-distance run in Kansas, you may as well make it Oz-themed. For details, including course routes and registration information, check out the website at ozmarathon.com.

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