The Wiz
book by William F. Brown
music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls
April 24-May 17, 2009
Co-sponsored by:
and
(l to r) LaWanda Black as Aunt Em and Rajané Katurah Brown as Dorothy in Playhouse on the Green’s production of The Wiz. Photo by Michael Daly.
“We thoroughly enjoyed The Wiz at Playhouse on the Green, and meeting as many members of the cast as we did. You did a wonderful job with this really timeless material…and also for the city of Bridgeport! Everyone should come see it before it’s too late.”
- Bill Brown, author of The Wiz
Producer/Co-Director: Matt Schicker
Co-Director/Choreographer: Beth Fauerbach
Associate Producers: Christy McIntosh and Eli Newsom
Musical Director: Kelly Martin
Set Design: Edward Morris
Lighting Design: Michael Jarett
Costume Design: David Withrow
Sound Design: Jim DeVivo
Production Stage Manager: Natalie Inzero
Assistant Stage Manager: Vallorie Clark, Jennifer Samath
Light Board Operator: Donald Rowe
Spotlight Operators: Brandy Devoid, Timothy Smull
The cast of The Wiz at Playhouse on the Green. Photo by Michael Daly.
Featuring:
Dorothy: Rajane’ Katurah Brown of Bridgeport
Aunt Em/Glinda: LaWanda Black of Bridgeport
Uncle Henry/Gatekeeper/Lord High Underling: Brian Michael Riley of Bridgeport
Addaperle: Kitty Robertson of Fairfield
Scarecrow: Cameron Phillips of Fairfield
Tin Man: Kevin Thompson of Stamford
Lion: Andy Kepka of Bridgeport
The Wiz: Sampson Denny of Bridgeport
Evillene: Jessica Ferraday of Milford
Dance/Vocal Ensemble: Jason Parry of Stratford, Jessica Rahrig of Shelton, Shantal Rhodes of Bridgeport, Bryna Washer of West Haven.
Character/Vocal Ensemble: Melissa Chambers of New Haven, Aaliyma Davis of Bridgeport, Toya Jean-Gilles of Bridgeport, Margaret Meghie of Bridgeport, Mavina Moore Jr. of Stamford, Gina LeVon Simpson of Bridgeport, Candice Sisbarro of Stratford.
Youth Ensemble: Caitlin Brown of Fairfield, Colleen Brown of Fairfield, Jaelle Cassara of Weston, Matthew Nardozzi of Trumbull, Kayla Patrick of Milford, Emily Pisarra of Milford, Jessica Reynolds of Stratford, Juliana Rivera of Milford, Olivia Rivera of Milford, Kristina Rizzardi of Shelton, Jailyn Rogers of Bridgeport.
(l to r) Kitty Robertson as Addaperle and Rajané Katurah Brown as Dorothy in Playhouse on the Green’s production of The Wiz. Photo by Michael Daly.
Playhouse on the Green, Bridgeport’s not-for-profit community theater, presents the Tony Award® winning musical The Wiz for 13 performances only April 24 through May 17, 2009. The 1975 contemporary re-telling of The Wizard of Oz has music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls and book by William F. Brown, who, for this production only, granted permission for the story to be set in Bridgeport.
A cast of more than 30 actors, singers, and dancers from the area will portray the familiar characters of Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, the Lion, the Wicked Witch of the West, and the rest in this version of L. Frank Baum’s classic American tale featuring gospel, soul, and r&b styled music.
Jessica Ferraday as Evillene in Playhouse on the Green’s production of The Wiz. Photo by Michael Daly.
Performance Schedule
- Friday, April 24 at 8PM - Opening Night SOLD OUT
- Saturday, April 25 at 8PM
- Sunday, April 26 at 3PM - special post-show Q&A with author William F. Brown
- Friday, May 1 at 8PM
- Saturday, May 2 at 8PM
- Sunday, May 3 at 3PM
- Friday, May 8 at 8PM
- Saturday, May 9 at 3PM
- Saturday, May 9 at 8PM
- Sunday, May 10 at 3PM
- ADDED PERFORMANCE: Friday, May 15 at 8PM
- ADDED PERFORMANCE: Saturday, May 16 at 8PM SOLD OUT
- ADDED PERFORMANCE: Sunday, May 17 at 3PM
(l to r) Kevin Thompson as Tin Man, Rajané Katurah Brown as Dorothy, and Cameron Phillips as Scarecrow in Playhouse on the Green’s production of The Wiz. Photo by Michael Daly.
Sampson Denny as The Wiz in Playhouse on the Green’s production of The Wiz. Photo by Michael Daly.
Gina LeVon Simpson as the Leader of the Winged Monkeys in Playhouse on the Green’s production of The Wiz. Photo by Michael Daly.
LaWanda Black as Glinda with the Quadlings in Playhouse on the Green’s production of The Wiz. Photo by Michael Daly.
On Sunday, April 26, William F. Brown (left), author of The Wiz participated in an audience talk-back led by Producing Artistic Director Matt Schicker. Photo by Mark Graham.
Credits for logos for Playhouse on the Green’s production of The Wiz: Michelle Zambon-Nishiwaki, Designer; University of Bridgeport Advertising & PR Campaign Class; Susan Katz, Creative Director
