OzWiki:Current events: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 20:28, 11 July 2010

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:

Gershwin Theater, Broadway, New York City, New York. Tickets may be purchased online at ticketmaster.com. For more details, go to wickedthemusical.com. For a "Behind the Emerald Curtain" tour on Saturday mornings, go to emeraldcurtain.com/NewYork.html for details.
The Apollo Victoria Theartre, The West End, London, England, United Kingdom. For more information, including booking tickets, see wickedthemusical.co.uk or wickedwestend.co.uk. You can also follow the British Wicked on the following social network sites:
- FaceBook
- iVillage
- MySpace
- Twitter
Dentsu Shiki Theatre, Tokyo, Japan (see wicked.jp for details)
Orpheum Theater, San Francisco, California (see shnsf.com/shows/wicked, and shnsf.com/shows/wicked/BEC for their own version of Wicked: Behind the Emerald Curtain), through September 5
Capitol Theatre, Haymarket, Sydney, Australia (see wickedthemusical.com.au), through September 12
Metronom Theater, Oberhausen, Germany (see www.stage-entertainment.de/musicals/wicked-oberhausen/wicked-oberhausen.html)
Lyric Theatre, Queenslnd Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane, Australia (opens January 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):

June 30-July 25, 2010: The Hobby Center, Houston, Texas
July 14-August 8, 2010: Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
July 28-August 29, 2010: Ohio Theatre, Columbus, Ohio
August 11-September 19, 2010: Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis, Minnesota
September 22-October 10, 2010: Overture Center, Madison, Wisconsin
October 13-31, 2010: Orpheum Theatre, Memphis, Tennessee
October 20-November 28, 2010: Canon Theatre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
November 3-14, 2010: Robinson Center, Little Rock, Arkansas
November 17-28, 2010: Chapman Music Hall, Tulsa, Oklahoma
December 1-12, 2010: Miller Auditorium, Kalamazoo, Michigan
December 1, 2010-January 23, 2011: Cadillac Palace Theatre, Chicago, Illinois
December 15, 2010-January 1, 2011: Murat Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
January 5-23, 2011: UA Centennial Concert Hall, Tucson, Arizona
January 26-February 13, 2011: Popejoy Hall, Albuquerque, New Mexico
January 26-February 20, 2011: Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Appleton, Wisconsin
February 16-March 6, 2011: Majestic Theatre, San Antonio, Texas
February 23-March 27, 2011: Carr Performing Arts Centre, Orlando, Florida
March 9-April 3, 2011: Orange County Performing Arts Center, Costa Mesa, California
March 30-April 24, 2011: Broward Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
April 6-17, 2011: Saroyan Theatre, Fresno, California
April 20-May 1, 2011: Hult Center, Eugene, Oregon
April 27-May 22, 2011: Shea's Performing Arts Center, Buffalo, New York
May 4-15, 2011: Morrison Center, Boise, Idaho
May 5-June 12, 2011: Omaha Theatre, Omaha, Nebraska
May 18-29, 2011: INB Performing Arts Center, Spokane, Washington
June 15-August 21, 2011: Opera House at the Kennedy Center, Washington, DC

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

Wicked: Uusi Musikaali Lumotusta Maailmasta, Helsingen Kaupungin Teaterri, Helsinki, Finland, opens August 26, 2010 (tickets)
Wicked: Heksene Fra Oz, Det Ny Teater, Copenhagen, Denmark, January 13-May 8, 2011 (tickets)

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 season, go to thewb.com/shows/high-drama.

The Wizard of Oz exhibit, Ashville, North Carolina

Now open: The Wizard of Oz exhibit, The Health Adventure, Asheville, North Carolina. The traveling children's museum exhibit has made its way to western North Carolina. 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 Health Adventures' website at thehealthadventure.org.

The Wizard of Oz exhibit, Madame Tusseud's, New York City, New York

Now open: The Wizard of Oz exhibit, Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, New York City, New York. The world's most famous name in wax now has an Oz exhibit at its Times Square location, including a wax replica of Judy Garland as Dorothy. Plus, later this summer, The Wizard of Oz will become part of their 4-D theater. For more information, see the website at madametussauds.com/NewYork.

Hollywood Costume exhibit, Doylestown, Pennsylvania

Now through September 5, 2010: "Icons of Costume: Hollywood's Golden Era and Beyond" museum exhibit, James A. Michener Art Museum, Doylestown, Pennsylvania. This is an exhibit of Oscar-nominated movie costumes, from the 1940s to the 1990s. As part of the exhibit on Saturdays and Sundays, visitors can appear in scenes from some of their favorute movies, including The Wizard of Oz. (You can even see some of the results on the museum's YouTube channel.) The screen tests cost extra, beyond museum admission. For information, see michenermuseum.org/exhibits/costume.php.

The Wizard of Oz exhibit, St. Paul, Minnesota

Now through September 12, 2010: The Wizard of Oz exhibit, Minnesota Children's Museum, St. Paul, Minnesota. Children (and adults) can learn about science while they travel over the rainbow to Oz. This version is based on the famous movie version. For more information, see mcm.org.

July 2010

Left of Oz play, Berkeley, California

July 2-18, 2010: Left of Oz, The Ashby Stage, Berkeley, California. We're not in Kansas any more, as this play is an all-lesbian version of The Wizard of Oz, with Dorothy looking for love in San Francisco. This is billed as a "lez-queer musical comedy". If this is not your idea of Oz or theater, you have been warned! Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 for general admission and $50 for VIP seating in the front row, which include a cast party and CD. Tickets are available at Brown Paper Tickets. For more information, see the show's website at leftofoz.com.

The Wizard of Oz movie, Costa Mesa, California

July 12, 2010: The Wizard of Oz, Orange County Performing Arts Center, Cost Mesa, California. Not only can you see the popular 1939 film version of the story on the big screen, you can see it for free, tonight only at 8:00. For more details, see www.ocpac.org.

Chautauqua Festival, Bonne Terre, Missouri

July 15-17, 2010: The 16th annual Chautauqua Festival, Bonne Terre, Missouri. This event will feature David Skipper's presentation, L. Frank Baum: The Royal Historian of Oz, Saturday evening, July 17th. David appears in character as Baum. Joining him will be George Frein as Ted Giesel (Dr. Suess) and Helene Lang performing as Beatrix Potter. Further information will be made available as soon as there is some.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: A New Musical reading, New York City, New York

July 18-21, 2010: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: A New Musical Reading, Manhattan Theatre Source, New York City, New York. This is a reading of a new musical production, which includes songs by L. Frank Baum and Paul Tietjens from the original 1902 dramatic version of the story. For information about the theater (the show itself isn't up yet), see theatresource.org.

The Winkie Convention, Pacific Grove, California

July 23-25, 2010: 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 Emerald City of Oz. More information to come, or stay up to date on the event's FaceBook page.

The Wizard of Oz play, Fall City, Washington

July 24-August 29, 2010: The Wizard of Oz, Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theater, Fall City, Washington. See the Royal Shakespeare Company version of the play, based on the famous film version, in an open air forest theater! Performances are Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. A barbecue dinner is available between shows on Saturdays, and after the show on Sundays. For more information and to make reservations (required for the barbecue), call 425-736-7252, e-mail fallstheater@hotmail.com, or visit the theater's website at foresttheater.org.

The Wizard of Oz movie, Memphis, Tennessee

July 30, 2010: The Wizard of Oz, Orpheum Theatre, Memphis, Tennessee. A rare chance to see the beloved 1939 film version of the story on the big screen. The show starts at 7:15 p.m., and tickets are $7 for adults and $6 for those twelve and under. For details, see www.orpheum-memphis.com.

September 2010

The Wizard of Oz marionette show, Altamonte Springs, Florida

September 1-October 13, 2010: The Wizard of Oz musical marionette show, Pinocchio's Marionette Theater, Altamonte Springs, Florida. This is a forty-five minute musical adaptation of L. Frank Baum's novel, performed with beautifully sculptured string puppets and original score. Pinocchio's Marionette Theater, Suite 1389, the Altamonte Mall, 451 E Altamonte Springs Drive, Altamonte Springs, Florida, 32701. Tickets: $5. Reservations 407-834-8757. www.pinocchios.net.

Chesterton Wizard of Oz Festival, Chesterton, Indiana

September 17-19, 2010: 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 2010

Autumn at Oz Party, Banner Elk, North Carolina

October 2-3, 2010: 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. Tickets are $20. For more information, check out emeraldmtn.com/LandofOz/oz.htm.

Oztoberfest, Wamego, Kansas

October 2-3, 2010: 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.

2011

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

Opening March 29, 2011: The Wizard of Oz, The West End, London, England, United Kingdom. Now that Danielle Hope has won the role of Dorothy through the television show Over the Rainbow, Andrew Lloyd Webber has to put on his show. It will debut in the West End on March 29. News and information is available on Webber's website, at andrewlloydwebber.com/shows/the-wizard-of-oz, and tickets are already on sale.

The Wizard of Oz, Costa Mesa, California

April 7-9, 2011: The Wizard of Oz, Orange County Performing Arts Center, Cost Mesa, California. This is a brand new listing with few details, so I'm not sure what this is. The Pacific Symphony is listed, however, so perhaps this is a showing of the movie with a symphony performing the music. For details, keep an eye on www.ocpac.org.

The Wizard of Oz broadcast, TCM

July, 2011: The Wizard of Oz, national cablecast, Turner Classic Movies. They always seem to show it around Independence Day. The movie has its own dedicated page at www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title.jsp?stid=852&category=overview, so keep an eye on it for updates.

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.

"There's no place like the home page."

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 * Dentsu Shiki Theatre, Tokyo, Japan (see [http://wicked.jp/index.html wicked.jp] for details)
 * Orpheum Theater, San Francisco, California (see [http://www.shnsf.com/shows/wicked shnsf.com/shows/wicked], and [http://www.shnsf.com/shows/wicked/BEC shnsf.com/shows/wicked/BEC] for their own version of ''Wicked: Behind the Emerald Curtain''), through September 5
-* Capitol Theatre, Haymarket, Sydney, Australia (see [http://www.wickedthemusical.com.au/ wickedthemusical.com.au])
+* Capitol Theatre, Haymarket, Sydney, Australia (see [http://www.wickedthemusical.com.au/ wickedthemusical.com.au]), through September 12
 * Metronom Theater, Oberhausen, Germany (see [http://www.stage-entertainment.de/musicals/wicked-oberhausen/wicked-oberhausen.html www.stage-entertainment.de/musicals/wicked-oberhausen/wicked-oberhausen.html])
+* [http://www.qpac.com.au/event/WICKED_Waitlist.aspx Lyric Theatre], Queenslnd Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane, Australia (opens January 2011)
 ''Wicked'' is also touring North America. For more information and updates about the tour, see [http://www.wickedthemusical.com/#WickedCitiesOnTour wickedthemusical.com/#WickedCitiesOnTour] or [http://www.musicalschwartz.com/wicked-tour.htm musicalschwartz.com/wicked-tour.htm]. Here's the current schedule (locations and dates are subject to change):