OzWiki:Current events

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Other Oz events can also be found on the Wizard of Oz Calendar of Events page on Facebook.

Going on now

Wicked play, around the world

Now playing: Wicked. This is 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:


Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Wizard of Oz national tour

The new stage production of The Wizard of Oz, based on The Movie but expanded with new material by Webber and songs by Tim Rice, is coming back for another tour. Here are the dates that have been announced:

  • December 29, 2015-January 3, 2016: National Arts Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
  • January 5-10, 2016: Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • January 12-17, 2016: Clowes Hall, Indianapolis, Indiana
  • January 19-24, 2016: Auditorium Center, Rochester, New York
  • January 29-February 4, 2016: San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, San Jose, California
  • February 7-13, 2016: The Buelle Theatre, Denver, Colorado
  • February 16-21, 2016: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  • February 23-28, 2016: Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
  • March 8-13, 2016: Keller Auditorium, Portland, Oregon
  • March 15-20, 2016: San Diego Civic Theatre, San Diego, California
  • April 5-10, 2016: Shea's Performing Arts Center, Buffalo, New York
  • April 12-24, 2016: Wang Theatre, Boston, Massachusetts
  • May 3-15, 2016: The National Theatre, Washington, DC
  • May 27-29, 2016: Long Center, Austin, Texas
  • May 31-June 5, 2016: The Majestic Theatre, San Antonio, Texas
  • June 7-12, 2016: Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth, Texas
  • June 21-26, 2016: Fox Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia
  • July 5-10, 2016: Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
  • July 12-17, 2016: Straz Center, Tampa, Florida

For more information or to buy tickets, see the show's website.


The Wiz Live, NBC broadcast, nbc.com, and hulu.com

The Wiz Live musical, nbc.com. The network's annual live musical has now come and gone, but you can still catch this adaptation of The Wizard of Oz with an African-American cast streaming online. Among the cast are newcomer Shanice Williams as Dorothy, David Alan Grier as the Cowardly Lion, Mary J. Blige as Evilene, Queen Latifah as the Wiz, Uzo Aduba as Glinda, Amber Riley as Addaperle, Elijah Kelley as the Scarecrow, Ne-Yo as the Tin Woodman, and Common as the Bouncer. Stephanie Mills, Broadway's original Dorothy, passes the torch by playing Aunt Em. NBC will rebroadcast the show December 19 at 8:00 pm, or see the website, http://www.nbc.com/the-wiz-live, for both the show and the behind-the-scenes making of special. It is also available through hulu.com. There's also a Facebook page for behind-the-scenes stuff at https://www.facebook.com/themakingofthewiz/.


"The Wizard of Paws/Pinocchio Penguin" episode of Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theater, on the Internet

Now playing: "The Wizard of Paws/Pinocchio Penguin" episode of Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theater, hulu.com. Hello Kitty and the gang put on their own version of The Wizard of Oz (and Pinocchio, too). To watch, go to http://www.hulu.com/watch/120366#s-p3-so-i0.


The Shirley Temple Storybook Collection: The Land of Oz, on the Internet

Now playing: The Land of Oz episode of The Shirley Temple Storybook Collection, hulu.com. This 1961 episode of Temple's show adapts the second Oz book. Features Temple herself as Ozma and Tip, Agnes Moorehead as Mombi, Jonathan Winters as General Nikidik, Sterling Holloway as Jack Pumpkinhead, Ben Blue as the Scarecrow, Gil Lamb as the Tin Woodman, and Mel Blanc as the voice of the Sawhorse. To watch for free on hulu.com, go to http://www.hulu.com/watch/369199.


The Wizard of Oz and The Wiz, 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. They also have listings for performances of The Wiz.


The Origins of Oz documentary, national cablecast and on the Internet

Now playing: The Origins of Oz documentary, Smithsonian Channel cablecast and the Internet. This look at the Oz phenomenon and its influence has the following broadcasts scheduled (all times listed are EDT/PDT):

  • December 29, 2015, 1:00 p.m.

You can also watch it online at the program's website, at http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/sc/web/show/137669/origins-of-oz-the.


The Wizard of Oz play, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Now through January 10, 2016: The Wizard of Oz play, UnitedHealth Group Stage, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Presented by Minneapolis' renowned Children's Theatre Company, this musical stage adaptation is based on the famous film version, with a script first used by the Royal Shakespeare Company. For more information, or to purchase tickets, see the show's web page.


The Wonderful Wizard of Oz exhibit, Greenville, South Carolina

Now through January 18, 2016: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz museum exhibit, Upcountry History Museum, Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina. The traveling interactive museum exhibit, based on the original book, comes to South Carolina. For details, see the museum's website at http://www.upcountryhistory.org/changing-exhibits/upcoming-exhibits/.


November/December 2015

The Wizard of Oz, holiday cablecasts

The Wizard of Oz holiday cablecasts, TBS and TNT. The stations' annual holiday season showings of the famous film version are, generally speaking, around Thanksgiving on TBS and Christmas on TNT. TNT has the following showings scheduled:

  • December 19, 7:00 pm and 9:20 pm
  • December 20, 3:30 pm

Check local listings for exact time and channel in your area.


December 2015

(No events scheduled.)


January 2016

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz pantomime, Boston, Massachusetts

January 9-30, 2016: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz pantomime, Plaza Black Box Theatre, Boston Center for the Arts, Boston, Massachusetts. No, it's not a play performed silently. Pantomime is an old British traditional way to tell a story in a rather off-kilter way ("Oh, no it isn't!") ("Oh, yes it is!") that has never quite caught on in the States. One of the few American troupes to do panto is Imaginary Beasts, which this year is taking on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. For more information or to buy tickets, see the websites at http://www.bostontheatrescene.com/season/iWinter-Panto-2016-The-Wonderful-Wizard-of-Ozi/ or http://www.imaginarybeasts.org/imaginary_beasts/Now_Playing.html. You can even help fund the show through crowdfunding, and maybe score some tickets or other awards, at https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/winter-panto-2016-the-wonderful-wizard-of-oz#/.


April 2016

Garmin Marathon in the Land of Oz, Olathe, Kansas

April 16, 2016: Garmin Marathon in the Land of Oz, Olathe, Kansas. If you're going to have a 26.2-mile run in Kansas, you may as well give it an Oz theme! For more information and to register, see the race's website at http://ozrun.org/.


May 2016

Wizard of Oz Month Celebration, the Internet

May 2016: 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 http://www.live365.com/stations/tc_arts_ent. You can also look for the station at http://www.athena365.com/index.live and on itunes Adult Contemporary radio.


Yellow Brick Road Festival, Sedan, Kansas

May 2016 (exact dates to be announced): Yellow Brick Road Festival, Sedan, Kansas. This town in Kansas celebrates The Wizard of Oz every year. For details, see http://www.lasr.net/travel/city.php?Sedan&Kansas&Yellow+Brick+Road+Festival&City_ID=KS0604019&Event_ID=KS0604019e002&VE=Y or call 620-725-4033.


June 2016

Oz-Stravaganza, Chittenango, New York

June (dates to be announced), 2016: Oz-Stravaganza, Chittenango, New York. L. Frank Baum's home town honors their favorite son with this annual festival (formerly known as Oz Fest). 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 http://www.oz-stravaganza.com/, or the town's website at http://www.chittenango.org.


Judy Garland/Wizard of Oz Festival, Grand Rapids, Minnesota

June (dates to be announced), 2016: Judy Garland Wizard of Oz festival, Judy Garland Museum, Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Judy's home town celebrates their native daughter with a festival devoted to her and The Wizard of Oz. For more information, see the museum's website at http://www.judygarlandmuseum.com/.


Wizard of Oz Festival, Ionia, Michigan

June (dates to be announced(, 2016: Wizard of Oz Festival, Ionia, Michigan. This Michigan town becomes the latest city to hold a Wizard of Oz festival. For details and schedule, see the festival's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Wizardofozfestionia.


The Wonderful World of Oz: Selections from the Willard Carroll/Tom Wilhite Collection exhibit, Davenport, Iowa

June 12-September 25, 2016: The Wonderful World of Oz: Selections from the Willard Carroll/Tom Wilhite Collection museum exhibit, Katz Gallery, Figge Art Museum, Davenport, Iowa. One of the largest and most extensive collections of Wizard of Oz memorabilia will get an outing this summer for folks in Iowa to see. For more information, see this article. The museum's website is at http://figgeartmuseum.org/.


July 2016

OzCon International 2016, Portland, Oregon

July 15-17, 2016: OzCon International, Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel, Portland, Oregon. The world's longest running Wizard of Oz event leaves California for the first time ever and visits the Rose City. Events, guests, and other information will be available soon. Visit the event's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/1108566289173261/.


August 2016

Oz Fest Illinois, Mapleton, Illinois

August (date to be announced), 2016: Oz Fest Illinois, Butler Haynes Park, Mapleton, Illinois. This one day festival, at the site of a permanent Wizard of Oz children's garden, will feature Oz characters, an Oz costume parade, an Oz puppet show, exhibitions, vendors, and more. For more information, see the festival's Facebook page.


September 2016

Midwest Oz Fest 2015, Tinley Park, Illinois

September (date to be announced), 2016: Midwest Oz Fest 2015, Tinley Park, Illinois. The southwest suburbs of Chicago are hosting a big festival, with vendors and food and rides and games and parades and all the rest. It's early still, but to stay on top of the festival's progress, keep an eye on http://midwestozfest.com/, or the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Wizard-of-Oz-Festival/577056169054982.


Oztoberfest, Wamego, Kansas

September (exact dates to be announced), 2016: Oztoberfest, Wamego, Kansas. The town not only has an Oz museum, they put on an annual Oz festival. 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 http://oztoberfest.com/.


Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz musical, East Haddam, Connecticut

September 16-November 27, 2016: Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz musical, Goodspeed Opera House, East Haddam, Connecticut. This new show, which eventually hopes to hit Broadway, tells the story of young Frances "Baby" Gumm's rise to stardom, including a name change to Judy Garland. The show culminates in her playing Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. For further information, keep your eye on the theater's website at http://goodspeed.org/2016-season.


October 2016

Autumn at Oz Party, Banner Elk, North Carolina

October (exact dates to be announced), 2016: 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. For more information, check out http://www.landofoznc.com/#!autumnatoz/c1ox4. Tickets may be purchased at https://autumnatoz.ticketssoeasy.com/index.cfm?include=eventsprofileoutput&eid=2842 (if they're not already sold out).


OzFest, Liberal, Kansas

October (exact dates to be announced), 2016: OzFest, Liberal, Kansas. The home town of the Dorothy's House attraction hosts its annual tribute to Dorothy and Oz. For more information, see the event's website (and be sure to call 1-800-LIBERAL to confirm event and dates, as the website is a bit sparse on information).