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Department of Theatre
Western 九一麻豆制片厂 University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5360 USA
(269) 387-3220

Motown meets yellow brick road in University Theatre's 'The Wiz'

Contact: Emily Duguay
March 27, 2017

The Wiz at WMU production poster.
KALAMAZOO, Mich.鈥擬otown meets yellow brick road in the Tony Award-winning musical "The Wiz," playing April 7-22 at Western 九一麻豆制片厂 University.

Performance schedule

All shows take place in Williams Theatre at the Gilmore Theatre Complex on WMU's main campus in Kalamazoo.

  • Friday, April 7, 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 8, 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 9, 2 p.m.
  • Thursday, April 13, 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday, April 14, 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 15, 7:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, April 20, 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday, April 21, 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 22, 7:30 p.m.

'The Wiz'

"The Wiz" is an urbanized retelling of the classic 1900 children's novel "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" in the context of modern African-American culture. It follows Harlem schoolteacher Dorothy as she is taken away to the fantasy world of Oz. After accidentally killing the Wicked Witch of the East, Dorothy goes on a quest to find the wizard. She is joined by her troubled friends鈥攖he Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion鈥攚ho also seek the guidance of "The Wiz."

WMU's production team is preparing for a party in Oz and is staging it in the round, putting the the audience in the center of it all.

Photo of WMU theatre students in The Wiz.

WMU theatre students in "The Wiz"

Director Jay Berkow says:

"'The Wiz' is a wonderful time for people of all ages鈥攅specially us! The rehearsal process has been playful, intense and nothing short of amazing. The musical numbers are truly timeless and the show holds up as a beacon of inclusion and love. Our production promises to be a feast for the eyes and ears with stunning choreography and costumes and an amazingly realized fantasy transformation of the D. Terry Williams Theatre."

Tickets

Tickets for "The Wiz" at University Theatre are $20, $18 for senior citizens and WMU employees, $10 for students and $6 for WMU students. They are available by calling (269) 387-6222, online at , or by visiting the Gilmore Theatre Complex or Miller Auditorium ticket offices. Group discounts are available by calling (269) 387-3227. All seating is general admission.

Gilmore Theatre Complex Box Office hours

  • Monday through Friday: noon to 5 p.m.

Miller Auditorium Ticket Office hours

  • Monday through Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Saturday: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, contact Emily Duguay, University Theatre, at @email or (269) 387-6222.

For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.