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:

The show has closed in Sydney, so Wicked will now tour Australia, with the following stops already announced:

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

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Based on the Oz books The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Marvelous Land of Oz, Ozma of Oz, and The Emerald City of Oz and originally made in Japan, you can now watch selected episodes online, with a new episode being made available once a week.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.

"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, 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:

  • Friday, January 28, 7:00 p.m., The Disney Channel
  • Saturday, January 29, 1:00 a.m., The Disney Channel
  • Monday, January 31, 4:31 (?) p.m., Disney XD
  • Saturday, February 5, 8:01 a.m., Disney XD

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

The Puppeteers: A Wonderful Weirdness in Oz puppet/improv show, Scranton, Pennsylvania

Now through February 6, 2011: The Puppeteers: A Wonderful Weirdness in Oz, Electric Theatre Company, Scranton, Pennsylvania. In the spirit of classic commedia dell'arte comes this semi-improvised puppet version of The Wizard of Oz, with audience participation and physical gags for the whole family. Shows run Wednesdays through Sundays, with an opening night party after the January 21 show. For more information and to purchase tickets, see the company's website at http://www.electrictheatre.org/.

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

Now showing: 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. Currently scheduled stops on the tour include:

Other dates are sure to be added later. For more information about the show, see the website at http://wizardofozontour.com/.

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 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:

  • January 28 and 29, 2011: Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
  • March 15-21, 2011: ACDFA @ University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
  • March 26 and 27, 2011: Dance Place, Washington, DC
  • March 30, 2011: Reston Center Stage, Reston, Virginia
  • 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.

January 2011

IceFest, Hamilton, Ohio

January 21-22, 2010: IceFest, Hamilton, Ohio. It's the middle of winter, so of course this Ohio town celebrates with IceFest. This year's theme is "Great Books in Ice", so there will be ice sculptures celebrating Gone with the Wind, Fahrenheit 451, Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat in the Hat, and, of course, The Wizard of Oz. Events begin at 5:00 Friday evening, and run all day Saturday, including professional and speed carving events, a dogsled race, a book fest, and an arts and crafts show. For more information, call 888-462-2282 or 513-844-8080 or 513-895-3934.

Oz with Symphony, Tucson, Arizona

January 22-23, 2011: Oz with Orchestra movie with symphony score, Tucson, Arizona. The popular pairing of the famous 1939 film version of The Wizard of Oz with the scare played by a symphony orchestra comes to Arizona. The score is provided by the Tucson Symphony Orchestra. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Saturday evening and 2:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon. For more information or to buy tickets, see the Tuscon Symphony Orchestra's website.

Grand Chefs Gala, Chicago, Illinois

January 28, 2011: Grand Chefs Gala, The Fairmount Chicago Hotel, Chicago, Illinois. To benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the chefs of Chicago are putting on their fourteenth annual Grand Chefs Gala. This year's theme is the Emerald City, which may make it of interest to Oz fans. Chicago’s finest chefs will prepare and present their signature dishes for over 500 guests. For more information, and to purchase tickets, see the event's website at http://grandchefsgala.com/.

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

January 28-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.

The Wizardry of Oz: L. Frank Baum lecture, Lenoir, North Carolina

January 31, 2011: The Wizardry of Oz: L. Frank Baum lecture, J. E. Broyhill Civic Center, Lenoir, North Carolina. Presented by Dr. Elliot Engel. For more details and to buy tickets, see the venue's website at http://www.broyhillcenter.com/EventDetail.asp?eid=2010Elliot.

February 2011

The Wizard of Oz, national cablecast, TCM

February 12, 2011: The Wizard of Oz national cablecast, TCM. As part of its annual Oscars salute, TCM is devoting February 12 to the Best Picture nominees of 1939. That means classic movies such as Dark Victory, Wuthering Heights, Of Mice and Men, Ninotchka, Stagecoach, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Goodbye Mr. Chips, Love Affair, and the winner, Gone with the Wind will all be on that day, alongside the famous film version of The Wizard of Oz, which starts at 8:00 p.m. EST. Check your local listings for channel and exact times in your area.

The Wizard of Oz fundraising play, London, England, United Kingdom

February 15, 2011: The Wizard of Oz gala fundraiser, Palladium Theatre, London, England, United Kingdom. To raise funds for the Great Ormond Street Hospital and Prostate UK, we're getting an early look at Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber's new stage version of The Wizard of Oz. Starring Over the Rainbow winner Danielle Hope as Dorothy and Michael Crawford as the Wizard. For more details, see the Great Ormond Street Hospital's website. You can also book tickets here.

Bravo Broadway: Wicked Divas concert, Ogden, Utah

February 17, 2011: Bravo Broadway: Wicked Divas concert, Val A. Browning Center, Ogden, Utah. The Ogden Symphony Ballet Association celebrates Wicked with a concert featuring two of the former stars of the show from Broadway (exactly which ones yet to be announced). For show details and ticket information, see the event's website at www.symphonyballet.org/concerts/pops-series/item/25-bravo-broadway-wicked-divas.html.

March 2011

Follow the Yellow Brick Road afternoon tea, London, England

March 1-14, 2011: Follow the Yellow Brick Road afternoon tea, The Royal Horseguards Hotel, Whitehall, London, England. To commemorate the opening of Andrew Lloyd Webber's new production of The Wizard of Oz, the Royal Horseguards Hotel will have an Oz-themed tea service, including many special Oz-themed pastries. The cost is £28 per person. For more information or to make reservations, call the hotel at 0871 376 9033 or see their website.

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

Oz in London.jpg

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 (and the runner-up, Sophie Evans, will be her understudy), Andrew Lloyd Webber has to put on his show. It will debut in the West End on March 29, and Michael Crawfod has been cast as the Wizard. News and information is available on Webber's website, at andrewlloydwebber.com/shows/the-wizard-of-oz, and the show's website is now open at http://www.wizardofozthemusical.com/.

April 2011

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.

Oz Marathon Road Race, Olathe, Kansas

April 16, 2011: Oz Marthon 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. As well as a regulation 26.2 mile marathon, other events include the Wickedly Fast Half Marathon, the Dorothy Dash 5K run, and the Munchkin Marathon for children. For details, including course routes and registration information, check out the website at ozmarathon.com.

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.

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). For more information, see the festival's website at oz-stravaganza.com, or the town's website at www.chittenango.org.

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 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 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 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.

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.

September 2011

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.

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