OzWiki:Current events
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:
- 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 http://www.emeraldcurtain.com/New-York.html for details.
- The Apollo Victoria Theatre, The West End, London, England, United Kingdom. For more information, including booking tickets, see http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/ or http://www.wickedwestend.co.uk/, and tickets can be purchased through http://www.wickedtheatretickets.co.uk/. You can also follow the British Wicked on the following social network sites:
- Wicked has finished its latest tour of Australia. See http://www.wickedthemusical.com.au/ for future tours or other news.
- Wicked: A História Não Contada Das Bruxas de Oz recently opened at the Teatro Renault in São Paulo, Brazil, making it the first production in Portuguese and in South America. For more information, see http://wickedomusical.com.br/ (site is in Portuguese).
- A revival of the Japanese production is currently running at the Hokkaido Shiki Theatre in Sapporo. See https://www.shiki.jp/applause/wicked/ for details (site is in Japanese).
- Wicked is also touring the United States and Canada. For more information and updates about the tour, see http://www.wickedthemusical.com/north-american-tour-tickets or http://www.musicalschwartz.com/wicked-tour.htm. Here's the current schedule (locations and dates are subject to change):
- October 12-23, 2016: Century II Performing Arts Center, Wichita, Kansas
- October 26-November 6, 2016: Peoria Civic Center, Peoria, Illinois
- November 9-27, 2016: Wharton Center for the Performing Arts at Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
- November 30-December 11, 2016: Oakdale Theatre, Wallingford, Connecticut
- December 14, 2016-January 8, 2017: The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC
- January 11-29, 2017: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando, Florida
- February 1-26, 2017: Straz Center, Tampa, Florida
- March 1-12, 2017: Proctors, Schenectady, New York
- March 15-26, 2017: Landmark Theatre, Syracuse, New York
- March 29-April 9, 2017: Auditorium Theatre, Rochester, New York
- April 12-May 14, 2017: Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- May 17-June 4, 2017: Shea's Performing Arts Center, Buffalo, New York
- June 7-July 23, 2017: Boston Opera House, Boston, Massachusetts
- July 26-August 27, 2017: Academy of Music, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- August 30-September 10, 2017: Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Appleton, Wisconsin
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, with a new episode added every week.
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):
- (No showings scheduled.)
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 Wiz play, Ashland, Oregon
Now through October 15, 2016: The Wiz play, Allen Elizabethan Theater, Ashland, Oregon. As part of this year's Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The Wiz will be performed in rep, with performances throughout the season. For more information, including dates, or to purchase tickets, see the show's website at https://www.osfashland.org/productions/2016-plays/the-wiz.aspx.
Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz musical, East Haddam, Connecticut
Now through 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.
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 books. 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. The pilot is currently available at https://www.amazon.com/Lost-in-Oz/dp/B00Z89MYTI/, and the reaction to it was so strong that it has been picked up for a series, which should be available soon.
October 2016
Karyl Carlson Presents Rinkitink in Oz
October 6, 2016: Karyl Carlson Presents Rinkitink in Oz, Mount Angel Public Library, Mount Angel, Oregon. To celebrate its centennial this year, local Oz artist and costumer Karyl Carlson will present a free program cerebrating Rinkitink in Oz, with readings and songs from the book. The event runs 3:00 to 4:30 pm. For more information about the event, see https://www.facebook.com/events/1724201057800472/. You can find more information about the library at http://mountangel.ccrls.org/home.
OzFest, Liberal, Kansas
October 8, 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).
The Wizard of Oz movie, Edmonds, Washington
October 15, 2016: The Wizard of Oz dementia-inclusive screening, Edmond Center for the Arts, Edmonds, Washington. As part of its second annual series of events for those suffering from dementia and other cognitive loss issues, and their families and other caregivers, Edmonds Center for the Arts is screening the famous 1939 film version of The Wizard of Oz at a matinée screening on October 15. Tickets are $10 or $2, and the Barclay Shelton Dance Centre will provide pre-show entertainment. For more information, see the website at http://www.edmondscenterforthearts.org/index or contact the Director of Programming, Gillian Jones, at gillian@ec4arts.org.
November/December 2016
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 as the season gets closer..
December 2016
The Wizard of Oz play, Portland, Oregon
December 3, 2016-January 2, 2017: The Wizard of Oz play, Northwest Neighborhood Cultural Center, Portland, Oregon. The Northwest Children's Theater and School present the Royal Shakespeare Company's stage adaptation of the famous film version of The Wizard of Oz. For showtimes, tickets, and other details, see the show's website at http://nwcts.org/content/wizard-oz.
January 2017
Emerald City series premiere, NBC
January 6, 2017: Emerald City series premiere, NBC national broadcast. The latest Oz TV project debuts tonight on NBC with a two-hour premiere. Check your local listings for station and time in your area, and see the show's website at http://www.nbc.com/emerald-city.
Toys from the Land of Oz exhibit, Kansas City, Missouri
January 14-August 20, 2017: Toys from the Land of Oz exhibit, The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, Kansas City, Missouri. Explore the original literary story and its many retellings, including the 1939 Technicolor film, Return to Oz, and The Wiz, through playthings, first edition books, and original costumes at The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. For more information, see the museum's website at http://toyandminiaturemuseum.org/.
April 2017
Garmin Marathon in the Land of Oz, Olathe, Kansas
April 22, 2017: 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 2017
Yellow Brick Road Festival, Sedan, Kansas
May (exact dates to be announced), 2017: 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 2017
Oz-Stravaganza, Chittenango, New York
June (exact dates to be announced), 2017: 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.
Wizard of Oz Festival, Ionia, Michigan
June (dates to be announced), 2017: 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.
OzCon International, Portland, Oregon
June 30-July 2, 2017: OzCon International 2017: The 53rd Annual Winkie Convention, Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel, Portland, Oregon. The world's longest-running Wizard of Oz convention comes to the Rose City again, bringing in Oz fans from all over the world. The theme book is The Lost Princess of Oz, and other books celebrating anniversaries this year have nomes, so Ozma and nomes will be celebrated. And the major Saturday evening show will be a recreation of the 1933-34 Wizard of Oz radio show. So make plans now and keep an eye on http://www.ozconinternational.com/our-next-convention.html and https://www.facebook.com/events/161861314230831/ for more information.
September 2017
Midwest Oz Fest 2017, Tinley Park, Illinois
September (dates to be announced), 2017: 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.
Autumn at Oz Party, Banner Elk, North Carolina
September (dates to be announced), 2017: 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).
October 2017
Oztoberfest, Wamego, Kansas
October (exact date to be announced), 2017: 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/.
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!