The Wiz

The Wiz, a retelling of L. Frank Baum's classic children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in the context of modern African-American culture, is coming to QPAC's Cremorne Theatre with four shows from December 5 to 7.

Directed and choreographed by Simon Lind, The Wiz will feature the talents of the graduating students from the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts.

The 1975 Broadway production won seven Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, and was an early example of Broadway’s mainstream acceptance of works with an all-black cast. A big-budget film adaptation of the same name was released in 1978, which starred Diana Ross as Dorothy and Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow.

Dorothy, a restless Kansas farm girl eager to see more of the world, is transported by a tornado to a magical world of Munchkins, witches, and a yellow brick road. On her way to the Emerald City to meet the Wizard of Oz, who she believes can help her get back home to Kansas, she encounters the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion – friends who help her battle the Wicked Witch of the West and eventually learn that there really is “no place like home”.

The show features the popular musical theatre songs "Ease on Down the Road", "Everybody Rejoice/Brand New Day", "Believe in Yourself" and "Home".

Nice to know - For the past 13 years, QPAC and ACPA have collaborated on an annual production that gives the students the opportunity to showcase their talents at Queensland’s major performing arts venue.

Book by William F Brown
Music and Lyrics by Charlie Smalls
Based on the story The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

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