Red Mountain Theatre Company to Present THE WIZ

This May 15-31, Red Mountain Theatre Company (RMTC) will present "The Wiz," the seven-time Tony award-winning Broadway musical, a soulful adaptation of Frank L. Baum's "Wonderful Wizard of Oz."

This cult-classic take on the beloved tale has Dorothy and her friends easing on down the road in the dazzling Land of Oz. "The Wiz" features a spectacularly talented all-star, all-Birmingham cast. And in the tradition of the show's first groundbreaking performance in 1975, the cast of this funk-infused folk-tale, this soulful rock-gospel, is all-African American.

Broadway star Rufus Bonds Jr. will return to RMTC to direct this celebrated Broadway hit. And Dominique Kelley, named one of the most promising up-and-coming choreographers of his generation, will direct the movement of "The Wiz."

"Keith called and asked me to direct," Bonds says, "and I began to think about 'The Wiz,' and what it means, and from what vantage point we tell this story. I look at Dorothy, and I look at her desire to be loved and to believe that she's loved. I want to tell the story that love is always there, and it's about you being able to accept it and recognize it on your journey. That's what it's all about-the journey, and the gift of love, of home, and family."

Bonds says he's grateful for his own journey, which includes an impressive resume, including directing "Into the Woods" and "The Wizard of Oz" at the Victoria Theater, and starring on Broadway in "Rent," "Once on This Island," and "Parade." He's been honored with a Drama Desk nomination, an Ovation Award, and an NAACP Best Actor Award for his performance in "The Color Purple." Last summer, Mr. Bonds fulfilled a lifelong dream of playing Porgy in "Porgy and Bess" at the Regent's Open Air Theatre in London.

Dominique Kelley says he, too, is living a dream. An avid tapper and percussionist, Dominique tries to fuse rhythm patterns with classical movement to create a visual and aural experience. Mr. Kelley has choreographed numerous shows on and off Broadway, including "The Heights, "The Wiz," and "Sammy," among others. He has created movement for movies such as Disney's "The Princess and the Frog," The Smurfs Movie," and more. And he's collaborated with recording artists such as Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Frank Ocean, Nelly, and CeeLo Green to name a few.

"We're thrilled to have Rufus Bonds Jr. return to our stage, and the same goes for Dominique, who is on his way to the top," says Keith Cromwell, RMTC executive director. "And I love bringing out-of-town directors, especially when they're stars like Rufus and Dominique, to share with them the incredible talent in Birmingham. We've got really tremendous people playing these roles."

In the lead role is Abijah Cunningham as Dorothy, who "is literally a stop-traffic, once-in-a-lifetime instrument," according to Cromwell. "I can't wait to hear her blow this show out of the water. It's all vocal gymnastics-basically, the whole show. It's so powerful, number after number."

RMTC's education director, Bradford Forehand, recognized a different kind of power in "The Wiz," for his Page to Stage curriculum that he teaches in public schools. "The kids study a traditional story told in a non-traditional way as part of our literacy-based curriculum. It all culminates in a performance, where the students from four schools perform for the cast of 'The Wiz,' and the cast performs for them," says Cromwell. The performance exchange takes place Friday May 8 at Fairfield High School.

"We love when every part of our mission comes together," says Cromwell. RMTC is a nonprofit theatre that fosters artists, inspires youth and engages audiences through quality theatre and education programming. "And this show is just that. Plus, it's an absolute blast."

For tickets to RTMC's production of "The Wiz," visit the Box Office at redmountaintheatre.org or call (205) 324-2424.