The Wiz at Proctors Theatre

Everybodylookaround! The Tony Award®-winning Best Musical that took the world by storm is back andcoming to Schenectady.

THE WIZreturns “home” to stages across Americainan all-new tour, direct from Broadway.

TheBaltimore Sunraves “Powerhouseperformances. Stunning choreography. Visionary sets” and theChicago Sun-Times proclaimsTHE WIZis “An eye-popping and high-intensity revival!”

This groundbreaking twist onThe Wizard of Ozchanged the face of Broadway—from its iconic score packed with soul, gospel, rock, and 70s funk to its stirring tale of Dorothy’s journey to find her place in a contemporary world.

Featuring a book byWilliam F. Brownand a Tony Award-winning score byCharlie Smalls(and others), directorSchele Williams(The Notebook, revival of Disney’sAida), award-winning choreographerJaQuel Knight(Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies,”Black is King), additional material by Tony-nominated and Emmy-nominated writer and TV hostAmber Ruffin(“The Amber Ruffin Show,” “Late Night With Seth Meyers”).

The production also includes ‘Everybody Rejoice’ music and lyrics byLuther Vandross, as well as the ‘Emerald City Ballet’ with music byTimothyGraphenreed.

Based on L. Frank Baum’s children’s book, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,”The Wiztakes one of the world’s most enduring (and enduringly white) Americanfantasies, andtransforms it into an all-Black musical extravaganza for the ages.

THE WIZpremiered on Broadway in 1975 and became an instant sensation, going on to win seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Ted Ross), Best Featured Actress in a Musical (DeeDeeBridgewater), Best Choreography (George Faison), and in a Broadway first, Best Direction of a Musical and Best Costume Design (Geoffrey Holder). “Ease on Down the Road” became the show’s break-out single, and “Home” has since become a bona fide classic. That original production ran for four years (first at The Majestic Theatre and later at The BroadwayTheatre) –and 1,672 performances – on Broadway. A 1978 film adaptation starred Diana Ross, Ted Ross, Mabel King, RichardPryorand Lena Horne, and marked Quincy Jones’ first collaboration with Michael Jackson.

AUDIENCE ADVISORY
THE WIZis recommended for ages 8+.
THEWIZruns approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, including intermission.
This production uses haze,smokeand flashing lights.

GROUP SALES

If you have a group of 10* or more, you can save on ticket prices! Contact Group Sales at (518) 382-3884 ext. 139 or send an email to groupsales@proctorscollaborative.org for more information.
*Some exclusions apply to Group Sales.