Peanut Gallery Players Bring THE WIZ to Meadow Brook Theatre, Now thru 8/2

Girl has Kansas, girl loses Kansas, girl gets Kansas back. That's the basic premise for Peanut Gallery Players' upcoming production of "THE WIZ". If you've seen the movie of "The Wiz", don't assume you've seen the stage version.

As performed by the students of PGP, a 501(c)(3) non-profit company, now in its sixth year of high-energy theatrical training for children and youth, this "Wiz" is an upbeat, contemporary romp loosely based on "The Wizard of Oz". Over 71 actors, singers and dancers ages 6-18 from Oakland and Macomb Counties have been rehearsing since June for performances today, July 31, August 1 and 2, 2014 at Meadow Brook Theatre, on the campus of Oakland University.

Leading the cast from and to Kansas is Stoney Creek HS Sophomore Ashlyn Moran as Dorothy. Helping her along the way and finding their brains, heart and courage respectively are Andrew Kubik as Scarecrow, Lee Cleaveland as Tinman and Grant Cleaveland as Lion. The energetic cast also includes Kendall Ashman (Lake Orion) as Addaperle- Good Witch of the North, Alexis Sargent (Lake Orion) as Glinda-Good Witch of the South and AlissaBeth Morton (Rochester) as Evillene, Bad Witch of the West. The talented Tim Olszanski is The Wiz himself.

Tickets are $15 for Adults and $12 for Students and Seniors. Groups of 12 or more should call for group discounts. Tickets are available by calling 248-885-5129, on-line at www.peanutgalleryplayers.org or at the door on performance days 2 hours before curtain. Performance times are 7:30 pm on Thursday, July 31 & Friday, August 1 with a 2:00 pm matinee on Saturday, August 2nd.

Meadow Brook Theatre is located on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester Hills. For additional information on Peanut Gallery Player classes, visit www.peanutgalleryplayers.org.

Pictured: AlissaBeth Morton and the cast of The Wiz performing at a benefit at Meadow Brook Theatre. Photo courtesy of Cheryl Marshall.