Photo Flash: Kokandy Productions Launches Fifth Anniversary Season with THE WIZ

Kokandy Productions is pleased to launch its fifth anniversary season with a revival of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical THE WIZ, with book by William F. Brown, music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls, directed by guest director Lili-Anne Brown, music direction by Jimmy Morehead and choreography by Breon Arzell. THE WIZ will play March 5 - April 16, 2017 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.kokandyproductions.com, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at the Theater Wit Box Office. The press opening isSaturday, March 11 at 8 pm.

THE WIZ features Sydney Charles as Dorothy, Gilbert Domally as Scarecrow, Steven Perkins as Tin Man, Chuckie Benson as Lion, Nicole Michelle Haskins as Aunt Em/Evillene, Anna Dauzvardis as Glinda, Frederick Harris as The Wiz and Angela Alise as Addaperle with Breon Arzell, Kyrie Courter, TJ Crawford, Desmond Gray, Jyreika Evelyn Guest, De'Jah Perkins, Tia Pinson and Michael Rawls.

THE WIZ is an urbanized retelling of Frank Baum's Classic 1900 children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and the classic movie The Wizard of Oz, in the context of 20th century African American culture. Brown's gritty revival puts the focus on "what it means to live with intelligence, compassion and courage in today's tough cities." Follow the yellow brick road with a dazzling mix of rock, gospel and soul. The 1975 Broadway production of The Wiz won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical.

The production team for THE WIZ includes: Arnel Sancianco (set design), Virginia Varland (costume design), Alexander Ridgers (lighting design), Michael J. Patrick (sound design), Kirstin Johnson (sound engineer), Mealah Heidenreich (props design), Lindsay Brown (production manager), Darian Tene (asst. choreographer), Shawn Kronk (master electrician), Kait Samuels (stage manager) and Ebony Chuukwu (asst. stage manager).

Photo Flash: Michael Brosilow

(left to right) Sydney Charles, Gilbert Domally, Chuckie Benson and Steven Perkins in Kokandy Productions’ revival of THE WIZ, directed by Lili-Anne Brown with music direction by Jimmy Morehead. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
(left to right) Steven Perkins, Chuckie Benson, Sydney Charles and Gilbert Domally in Kokandy Productions’ revival of THE WIZ, directed by Lili-Anne Brown with music direction by Jimmy Morehead. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
(left to right) Gilbert Domally, Chuckie Benson, Sydney Charles, Steven Perkins and Frederick Harris in Kokandy Productions’ revival of THE WIZ, directed by Lili-Anne Brown with music direction by Jimmy Morehead. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
(pictured) The cast of Kokandy Productions’ revival of THE WIZ, directed by Lili-Anne Brown with music direction by Jimmy Morehead. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
(center) Nicole Michelle Haskins with the cast of Kokandy Productions’ revival of THE WIZ, directed by Lili-Anne Brown with music direction by Jimmy Morehead. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
(front, center) Gilbert Domally with (back, l to r) Sydney Charles, Nicole Michelle Haskins, Frederick Harris and Breon Arzell in Kokandy Productions’ revival of THE WIZ, directed by Lili-Anne Brown with music direction by Jimmy Morehead. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
(front center) Angela Alise and Desmond Gray with (back, l to r) TJ Crawford, Anna Dauzvardis, Tia L. Pinson and Breon Arzell in Kokandy Productions’ revival of THE WIZ, directed by Lili-Anne Brown with music direction by Jimmy Morehead. Photo by Michael Brosilow.