An enduring tale of Black joy
Based on L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” “The Wiz” reimagines one of America’s most enduring stories through the lens of Black culture, music and joy.
“The Wiz” premiered on Broadway in 1975 and became an instant sensation. It went on to win seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Ted Ross), Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Dee Dee Bridgewater), Best Choreography (George Faison), and in a Broadway first, Best Direction of a Musical, and Best Costume Design (Geoffrey Holder).
“Ease on Down the Road” became the show’s break-out single, and “Home” has since become a bona fide classic. The original production ran for four years (first at the Majestic Theatre and later at the Broadway Theatre), and for 1,672 performances on Broadway. A 1978 film adaptation starred Diana Ross, Ted Ross, Mabel King, Richard Pryor and Lena Horne, and marked Quincy Jones’ first collaboration with Michael Jackson.
Nearly five decades later, “The Wiz” found its way back home. The all-new production launched its pre-Broadway national tour in Baltimore in 2023, the city where the musical had its original world premiere in 1974, before making its triumphant return to Broadway in April of 2024. The production’s 50th Anniversary Tour culminated in May, and that same acclaimed Broadway revival continues its journey across America in this newest tour, inviting audiences to experience the magic of Oz live and in a production unlike any other.
Accessibility
American Sign Language interpretation will be provided for this performance. Contact the Arts Ticket Center via email or by calling 814-863‑0255 no later than Thursday, Oct. 8, to discuss ASL seating preferences.
Audio description
Audio description will be offered for the performance. Reservations are required and must be made by Thursday, Oct. 8. Call the Sight Loss Support Group of Central Pennsylvania at 814-238-0132 to reserve the service.
Sensory-friendly venue
Eisenhower Auditorium is certified by KultureCity as a sensory-friendly venue. One goal of the Center for the Performing Arts is to offer everyone an opportunity to enjoy an event, regardless of a guest’s invisible neurodisabilities such as dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and autism.
Guests are welcome to visit a designated quiet space on the lounge level, or sign out a variety of items to help self-regulate, including noise-reducing earmuffs, anti-strobe glasses, lap pads and carefully curated sensory tools. The KultureCity app helps reduce uncertainty by providing pre-visit social stories, so guests know what to expect.
Acknowledgments
Support is provided by Mimi U. Coppersmith Endowment. ASL support is provided by Shih-In Ma. A grant from the University Park Fee Board makes student prices possible. Accessibility services are provided by Sidney and Helen S. Friedman Endowment.
Find us
The Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State, a unit of the College of Arts and Architecture, aspires to create connected, sustainable, and equitable communities, where everyone experiences joy, belonging and creativity.
For more information about the season, visit the Center for the Performing Arts online, Facebook and Instagram.