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:

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

The Wiz Live, 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 has behind-the-scenes videos on their website, http://www.nbc.com/the-wiz-live. The show itself is available to watch through hulu.com and other online streaming services. 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):

  • March 15, 5:00 am
  • March 29, 1:00 pm

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 Woodsman play, New York City, New York

Now playing: The Woodsman play, New World Stages, New York City, New York. The acclaimed play, recounting the origin of the Tin Woodman with puppets and music, is back and playing in an open-ended off-Broadway run. For more information, see the show's website at http://thewoodsmanplay.com/. To purchase tickets, visit the box office, call 212-239-6200, or go to https://www.telecharge.com/Off-Broadway/The-Woodsman/Overview.

The Wizard of Oz play, Valparaiso, Indiana

Now through March 6, 2016: The Wizard of Oz play, Memorial Opera House, Valparaiso, Indiana. The stage version of the famous movie. Shows are at 8:00 pm Fridays and Saturdays, and 2:00 pm Sundays. For more information or to purchase tickets, see the show's website at http://www.memorialoperahouse.com/events/the-wizard-of-oz.

March 2016

Rinkitink in Oz book discussion, Pasadena, California

March 20, 2016: “Rinkitink in Oz” book discussion, Pasadena Hilton Hotel, Pasadena, California. Mydgard, a southern California fantasy book discussion group moderated by long-time Oz fan Lee Speth, will be discussing Rinkitink in Oz at this meeting in celebration of the book's one hundredth anniversary. Meet in the lounge off the main lobby in the Pasadena Hilton Hotel, 168 S Los Robles, at 2:30 pm. Street parking is usually available within a couple of blocks of the hotel. Admission is free but participants are responsible for their own bar tabs. Send all further inquiries to Lee Speth (and not the hotel).

Wizard of Oz Train Ride, French Lick, Indiana

March 23-April 17, 2016: Wizard of Oz Train Ride, French Lick Scenic Railway, French Lick, Indiana. A little bit of Oz comes to southern Indiana, but instead of taking the yellow brick road, you can visit on a train! Oz characters entertain passengers on the trip, you can help defeat the Wicked Witch of the West, and it all ends with a live stage show. For more information or to order tickets, see the railroad's website at http://www.frenchlickscenicrailway.org/Wizard-of-Oz-Train-Ride.html.

April 2016

QuadCon 2016, Moore, Oklahoma

April 9, 2016: QuadCon 2016, Moore Public Library, Moore, Oklahoma. The annual meeting of the Quadlings, Oz fans in the south, starts at the Moore Public Library, starting at 10:00 am (although there will also be a meet-up the night before at a local restaurant). After the library closes, events will move to another restaurant for dinner and show-and-tell. For more information, e-mail the chair, Kevin Thomas, at kwtoz@me.com.

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

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.

Oz Con South, Houma, Louisiana

May 13-14, 2016: Oz Con South, Terrebonne Parish Library, Houma, Louisiana. Oz returns to Louisiana in this new event. Participants will meet Friday evening for a meal and sightseeing, then meet at the library the next day for presentations, exhibits, and games. For more information, including ordering a convention shirt, contact Karen Diket at karendiket@yahoo.com, or David Diket at davidcdiket@gmail.com.

June 2016

Oz-Stravaganza, Chittenango, New York

June 3-6, 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.

The Wiz play, Ashland, Oregon

June 8-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.

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

June 9-11, 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/.

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/.

Wizard of Oz Festival, Ionia, Michigan

June 17-18, 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.

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 Club National Convention, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

August 5-7, 2016: Oz Club National Convention, Sonesta Philadelphia Hotel, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Oz has all kinds of connections with the city of Brotherly Love, with W. W. Denslow, Ruth Plumly Thompson, John R. Neill, William F. Lee, Maxfield Parrish, Button-Bright, and Peter Brown all being from there. So it's high time to have an Oz convention there! The International Wizard of Oz Club's national convention hits the Keystone State for the first time with a full program, including a tour of Oz-related sites and a performance of Thompson's play A Day in Oz, along with all of the usual quizzes, games, auction, speakers, and other presentations, including the 2016 L. Frank Baum Memorial Award. For more information, including registration and hotel reservations, see the event's website at http://www.ozconphilly.com/ or the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Oz-Club-Convention-190570977682557/?hc_location=ufi.

Oz Fest Illinois, Mapleton, Illinois

August 13, 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 2016, Tinley Park, Illinois

September 9-11, 2016: Midwest Oz Fest 2016, 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.

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).

Oztoberfest, Wamego, Kansas

October 1, 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/.

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).

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..

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