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 productions:

  • Wicked has finished its latest tour of Australia. See http://www.wickedthemusical.com.au/ for future tours or other news. The show is now being performed by amateur theatrical groups around the country, so check for local productions.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Wizard of Oz, Australian tour

Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Wizard of Oz Australian tour. Lord Webber's new production, expanded from the version of the story first seen in the famous movie version, goes Down Under. The following stops have been announced:

For more information about the tour, and to book tickets, see the show's website at https://www.wizardofozthemusical.com/.


The Wizard of Oz North American tour

The Wizard of Oz North American tour. This touring production of the musical, based on The Movie, is now traveling around the United States and Canada. The following stops have been announced:

  • Now through May 20, 2018: The Chicago Theatre, Chicago, Illinois.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, see the show's website at http://wizardofoztour.com/.


Ozmafia anime series, on the Internet

Now playing: Ozmafia anime series, crunchyroll.com. In this Japanese anime series (based on the video game of the same name), Scarlet is a new transfer student at Oz Academy. He doesn't get off to a good start, but the teachers seem nice enough. But what strange secrets are hiding at Oz Academy, and why are they at war with the other academies? Episodes (in Japanese, with English subtitles) are available to view online at http://www.crunchyroll.com/ozmafia for free.


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.


Emerald City television series, NBC.com

Emerald City television series, NBC national broadcast. The latest Oz TV project has gone through its broadcast run on NBC. But the show's website is still up at http://www.nbc.com/emerald-city. You can still watch episodes online at http://www.nbc.com/emerald-city/episodes.


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):

  • (No showings currently scheduled.)

You can also watch it online at the program's website, at http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/shows/origins-of-oz-the/0/137669.


Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz, Internet Streaming

Now playing: Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz cartoon series, Internet Streaming, Boomerang. Boomerang brings you the latest Oz cartoon series, based (very loosely) on the famous 1939 film version. Dorothy is now a princess of Oz and living in the Emerald City with Queen Ozma. But she's still having adventures! The first thirteen episodes are now available. The first one is free, but getting the rest mean subscribing to Boomerang's streaming service. For more information, see the show's website at https://www.boomerang.com/shows/dorothy-franchise/series/dorothy-series.


Lost in Oz series, Internet streaming

Now playing: Lost in Oz, Amazon Video streaming. This new animated series from Amazon tells the story of Dorothy, a modern-day girl, and her dog Toto, who are whisked to Oz when Dorothy opens one of her mother's old journals. To get home, she must find the elements of magic and help restore magic to Oz. Fortunately she has made friends with Ojo the Munchkin and West, a trainee witch, to help her out. To get started, see Amazon's Lost in Oz website at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Z89MYTI. And coming June 8, 2018, Season 1B drops!


May 2018

Yellow Brick Road Festival, Sedan, Kansas

May 25-26, 2018: 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.


The Oz Run, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

May 26, 2018: The Oz Run, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. This annual 5K and half-marathon run raises money for local charities while the participants dress in Oz costumes as they make their ways to the Emerald City at the end. For more information, or to sign up, go to http://www.theozrun.com/. And if you want to find out a little more, including video of the 2016 run, see http://www.weau.com/content/misc/Oz-Run---Dec-19th-407438355.html.


June 2018

Oz-Stravaganza, Chittenango, New York

June 1-3, 2018: 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.


Journey with Dorothy tour, Beech Mountain, North Carolina

June 1-30, 2018: Journey with Dorothy Tour, Land of Oz Park, BeechMountain, North Carolina. The '70s Land of Oz Park in the Carolina mountains is open for tours this summer, and Dorothy is your guide! You may even get the chance to play one of her companions as your party looks for the Wizald. But watch out, the Wicked Witch might find you! Tours are every Friday in June—that's June 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29—plus a bonus day on June 30. For more information, see the website at https://www.landofoznc.com/journeywithdorothy.


Wizard of Oz Festival, Ionia, Michigan

June 8-9, 2018: Wizard of Oz Festival, Ionia, Michigan. This Michigan town holds an annual Wizard of Oz festival. For details and schedule, see the festival's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Wizardofozfestionia.


Wizard of Oz train ride, Tavares, Florida

June 8-24, 2018: The Wizard of Oz train ride, Tavares, Florida. The Oz train experience comes to central Florida! The Royal Palm Railway Experience is offering this train ride to the Emerald City, where Oz characters and events will be with you on the train, and join you in Oz. For more information, or to purchase ticket packages, see the railway's website at https://www.thefloridatrain.com/the-wizard-of-oz-train-ride.


Wizard of Oz Festival, Grand Rapids, Minnesota

June 14-16, 2018: Wizard of Oz Festival, Judy Garland Museum and environs, Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Judy Garland's home town celebrates her most famous role in this annual festival, with events all over town spread out over three days. For more information, see the announcement at http://www.judygarlandmuseum.com/wizard-of-oz-festival?id=48, and keep an eye on the museum's website at http://www.judygarlandmuseum.com/ for more information.


August 2018

Midwest Oz Fest 2018, Tinley Park, Illinois

August (exact dates to be announced), 2018: Midwest Oz Fest 2017, 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.


Wizard of Oz Festival Illinois, Mapleton, Illinois

August (date to be announced), 2018: Wizard of Oz Festival Illinois, Mapleton, Illinois. The annual celebration of Oz in this Illinois town. For more infarmation, see the event's website at http://www.hollispark.org/oz-fest, and Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Wizardofozfest/.


Wizard of Oz Days, New London, Missouri

August (exact dates to be announced), 2018: Wizard of Oz Days Festival, New London City Park, New London, Missouri. The community throws a party celebrating Oz. For more information, see the event's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/374941192901941/, and also https://www.facebook.com/wizardofozdays/.


OzCon International, Pomona, California

OzCon 2018.jpg

August 10-12, 2018: OzCon International, Kellogg Center, Cal Poly Pomona University, Pomona, California. The fifty-fourth edition of the world's longest-running Wizard of Oz convention returns to its roots in southern California, for the first time in the Los Angeles area since the 1960s. It is still early days, so there's not a lot to announce, so keep an eye on the website at http://www.ozconinternational.com/ for details.


September 2018

Autumn at Oz Party, Banner Elk, North Carolina

September 7-9, 2018: 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.


Wizard of Oz Festival Ohio, Macedonia, Ohio

September 28-30, 2018: Wizard of Oz Festival Ohio, Macedonia, Ohio. The second year for this event in Ohio. For more information, see the website at https://wizardofozohio.com/, and the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/wizardofozfestivalohio/.


October 2018

Oztoberfest, Wamego, Kansas

October (exact date to be announced), 2018: 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/.


OzFest, Liberal, Kansas

October (exact date to be announced), 2018: 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 city's events page and the city's website (and be sure to call 1-800-LIBERAL to confirm event and dates).


Wizard of Oz ballet, Kansas City, Missouri

October 12-21, 2018: The Wizard of Oz ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Kansas City, Missouri. This world premiere ballet, based on the first Oz book, opens Kansas City Ballet's 2018-19 season, and is presented in conjunction with the Colorado Ballet and Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Details are available in this article. Keep an eye on the company's website for more information, including when tickets go on sale.


November/December 2018

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. Keep checking back for details throughout the season.


April 2019

Garmin Marathon in the Land of Oz, Olathe, Kansas

April (date to be announced), 2019: 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/.


December 2019

Wicked movie

December 20, 2019: Wicked movie, theaters around the world. At long last, Universal has announced a release date for the film adaptation of the Tony-winning musical. No cast has been announced yet, but the director will be Stephen Daldry, Marc Platt (one of the show's producers on Broadway) will be a producer, and Winnie Holzman (book) and Stephen Schwartz (composer) will be reproducing their tasks from Broadway. Stay tuned for more details as they become available, including casting!