The Coterie Presents THE WIZ, Closes 8/7

Join Dorothy and her friends on their fabulous journey as they ease on down the yellow brick road in a multicultural view of Oz in The Wiz June 21 - August 7 at the Coterie Theatre in Crown Center.

This Tony Award winning musical by William Brown (book) and Charlie Smalls (music) is a timeless classic with a modern, soulful twist. The soaring songs include Ease on the Down the Road, Brand New Day, No Bad News and Be a Lion,

"Our new and fully authorized version of the Broadway musical The Wiz as been created for families and young audiences," said Director Jeff Church. "I have to say I'm more jazzed up about this production than almost any other I've gotten to stage here at the Coterie. It's a favorite from my childhood, as I used to listen to the album over and over and dream of directing it. It's a dream come true."

As part of the Coterie's Lab for New Family Musicals, the Coterie worked with Brown to create a one-act of The Wiz that is specifically intended for professional Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA). "As the surviving member of the creative team of The Wiz, I spent a few months working on the first TYA version of the show. When I first started it, I must admit, I didn't know what TYA stood for," Brown said.

"I have since learned, and have great respect for work [for young audiences]," he said. "I first wrote the book for The Wiz in 1972, and never saw the show as anything but an adult show. How wrong I was! It's a 9 to 90 show and I'm very pleased to be involved, at last, in TYA.

"I'm not from Kansas, but I spent some time in Kansas at Fort Riley. I have a warm spot in my heart for the state." Brown said. "I applaud the Coterie for what they're doing."

After every Friday night performance of The Wiz, there will be a free Something Fun experience. Audiences coming to The Wiz may experience an autograph session with Dorothy and friends, an Opening Night reception, a backstage tour, or a Q&A with the cast. The experience will change each week.

The Wiz is the last of three productions this season in the Coterie's Family Series and is funded in part by the R.A. Long Foundation, Missouri Arts Council (MAC) and the ArtsKC Fund.

ABOUT THE COMPANY
The Coterie has assembled some of the finest musical theatre talent: Damron Russel Armstrong, Christopher Barksdale, Brad Shaw, Emily Shackelford, Nikki Dixon, Tosin Morohunfola, Aaron Branch, Alicia Davis, Shawna Downing, Enjoli Gavin, Hartzell Gray, Jennie Greenberry, Demetrius Hodges, India Morrison, Terence Trice, Dominique Vaughan and Rasson Wofford.

The talented artistic and production company includes Jeff Church (director), Anthony Edwards (musical director), Vanessa Severo (choreographer), Megan Catherine Gross (set designer), Ron Megee (properties designer), Brad Shaw (costume designer), Art Kent (lighting designer), David Kiehl (sound designer), Amy Abels Owen (stage manager), Scott Hobart (technical director/master carpenter) and Damron Russel Armstrong (assistant director).

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The Coterie Theatre, now in its 32nd Season and named "One of the Five Best Theaters for Young Audiences in the U.S." by TIME magazine, is located on level one of Crown Center Shops in Kansas City, Mo. The Wiz performs June 21 - August 7, 2011.

Opening Night June 24 audiences are invited to a free post-performance celebration with director and cast members. Free question and answer sessions about the show and "how it's done" will take place after the 2 p.m. performances June 25 and June 26.

Individual tickets $10 for youth, students and seniors age 60 and up; $15 for adults; $9 for Season Discount Deal holders. Tickets may be purchased online at www.coterietheatre.org or by calling the Coterie box office (816) 474-6552 from 10 a.m. to 4 p. m. Monday through Friday.TARGET Saturdays: Free ticket with purchase (one per order; restrictions apply; not available online).

NOTABLE DATES:
June 10, Wizbang in the Bottoms: A benefit for the Coterie Theatre with select songs from The Wiz.

June 24, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and August 5, Something Fun Friday Night!: A free post-performance experience that may be an autograph session with Dorothy and friends, backstage tour or Q&A with the cast. The experience will change with each performance.

June 25 and 26, Q&A: Free post-performance question and answer sessions with the Company.

June 25, July 2, 9,16, 23, 30 and August 6: TARGET Saturdays: Free ticket with purchase; restrictions apply; not available online.

July 9: Interpreted performance in American Sign Language