Performance Preview Guide for the Wiz

Performance Preview Guide for The Wiz

Performances: August 1-9, 2009 at Francis J. Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front Street North, Issaquah.

Patrons have different ideas of what material or themes are appropriate for them and their families. For this reason, we provide the following information:

The Production  The Wiz may not be suitable for children ages 8 and under.  The Wiz is based on L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Versions available to preview: A script is available at the Francis J. Gaudette Theatre Box Office in Issaquah for you to read.

Production length: The show will run approximately 2 hours with a 15 minute intermission.

Synopsis: You are not in Kansas anymore! Ease on down the road with Dorothy and her pals in this hip, urban take on L. Frank Baum's classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Dorothy's adventures in the Land of Oz have been set to a dazzling, lively mixture of rock, gospel, and soul music. Everybody knows the story, but now it's a new fantasy for today — mysterious, opulent, and fanciful

Educational Content: The Wiz is a two-act musical with book by William F. Brown, and music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls It is based on the book , The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum Script Content Details Please note: the following contains plot spoilers.

Violence: The Tinman describes how he became tin by cutting off limbs with an axe, When Dorothy and friends first meet the Lion he picks a fight with the Tinman and Scarecrow so Dorothy hits the Lion in order to stop the fight. The four friends battle with “Kalidahs” and win. The Wiz makes a deal with the four friends that in order to grant their wishes they must kill the Wicked Witch of the West. There is a dance depicting the capture of Dorothy and her friends by the evil winged monkeys.

Death: The Wicked Witch of the East is crushed by a house. Evilline orders the messenger to be hung, but it is not depicted on stage. Dorothy throws water on Evilline and she melts.

Frightening: Some children might find Evilline, the Wicked Witch of the West, to be scary.

Sexual Content: The songs Slide Some Oil to Me, and Lions Dream have some sexual undertones.

Drugs: The four friends walk through a Poppy field and Lion becomes intoxicated by their smell.

Language: Evilline says “Shut Up” several times.