Event
The Wiz
GET TICKETS ON LINE FOR AUG 22! CLOSE TO SOLD OUT. VERY UNLIKELY THAT ANY TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR FOR OUR CLOSING PERFORMANCE ON AUG 22. BOX OFFICE OPENS AT 6:45 PM TODAY. WOW WHAT A SHOWSTOPPING EVENT!
"IT WAS A REALLY FUN PERFORMANCE AND THERE WAS GREAT ACTING, SINGING, AND DANCING TALENT ON THAT STAGE" TREVOR HUNNICUTT, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE. "BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO OAKLAND IN THE PAST 20 YEARS"..CONWAY JONES, JR, PATRON OF THE ARTS, CHAIRMAN BOARD OF DIRECTORS, CALVIN SIMMONS THEATRE, OAKLAND. "IT'S A GUTSY, FUN, GRATIFYING SHOW - SENSATIONS CLEARLY SHATED BY AUDIENCE, CAST AND PRODUCTION STAFF ALIKE". KEN BULLUCK, BERKELEY DAILY PLANET.
The Wiz is a hip version of the perennial Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Many know this classic story of Dorothy being blown to Oz in a tornado where she meets the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion along the yellow brick road.
However, in this musical version, it's a fantasy for today- mysterious, opulent and fanciful- a dream conjured up by a space-age child with Dorothy's adventures in the Land of Oz set to music in a dazzling, lively mixture of rock, gospel & soul. This musical is a must-see and will have audience members of all ages jumping out of their seats to the groove!
The Wiz is the grandest version of the Wizard of Oz story there is, says Edward Belasco, Director of Belasco Theatre Company. It has an urban spark and magic that just jumps off the stage. Having Jonathon, Kamaria and Dave in this production makes it truly special. They have the energy, talent and hipness to really make this a show stopper.
The Wiz is one of my favorite shows to perform, says Dave Abrams, who plays the Scarecrow. Audiences always love it no matter how old or young they are. The music is fun to dance to and we have such a great cast, it is sure to be a great production!
Kamaria Ousley will play the part of Dorothy. Kamaria has had the opportunity to share the stage with extraordinary musical talents such as, Chaka Khan, Susan Tedeschi, Anita Baker, Ron Carter, Kevin Eubanks, Lalah Hathaway and The Harlem Gospel Choir just to name a few. Kamaria was recently one of the featured singers of Jazzaar 2008, a jazz festival in Aarau, Switzerland where she was accompanied by Whitney Houston's rhythm section and the Aarau Youth Funk Band. Kamaria is a graduate of Skyline High School in Oakland, California with a B.M. in Music Business from the prestigious Berklee College of Music.
Jonathan Smothers will play the Lion. He is also an Oakland native who has been performing since an early age at John Swett Elementary, Edna Brewer Middle School, and Skyline High Schools; and with Youth Entertainment Network (YEN) and Belasco Theatre Company. He is a graduate of San Francisco State University's Communications Department, with a B.A. in Communications. There he trained in Gospel, Afro-Cuban, Jazz and Multicultural theater and music genres. He has trained vocally with Lucia Scardigno's private studio for six years. Performances include the Palace of Fine Arts, KTVU Fox 2, Teatro de la Esperanza, Kezar Stadium, and Bayview Opera House.
Dave Abrams will play the Scarecrow. He is age 17 and started acting at age 6. He has recently appeared in lead roles in DLOCs Grease and Some Like it Hot. Has been with Belasco Theatre Company since age 7, with credits including How to Succeed in Business, Grease, Little Shop of Horrors, Oliver, Damn Yankees, Fiddler on the Roof, and many more. He is a member of Smooth Motion DJ group. He was just accepted to University of California where he will pursue his acting/singing career. Dave is a student at Concord High School.
Phillip Harris (Tinman) baritone,18, is a music voice major at UCLA, where his chorale group just toured Shanghai and Beijing, China. He appeared in UCLAs Three-penny Opera. He attended St. Marys High School in Berkeley where he appeared in Sweet Charity and West Side Story. He is a graduate of the UC Berkeley Young Musicians Program where he had roles in Mozarts Magic Flute, Hm! Hm! Hm! and Ragtime. He plans to pursue a career in vocal performance.
Toya Willock (Tinman, Dancer) Liberal Studies major at San Francisco State University, where she sings in a gospel choir. Looks forward to career in music and/or fashion. She has performed in many BTC productions and was Cinderella in The African American Shakespeare Companys Cinderella.
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LocationMalonga Arts Center
1428 Alice Street
Oakland, CA 94612
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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