Our good friends at The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati proudly present The Wiz JR. this month at the historic Taft Theatre! We got a first glance on opening day of the show’s run to give you all the best tips and inside info, so you can get your tickets and enjoy the show.
Ideal for ages 4+.
Like an emerald, this precious Broadway gem infuses L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz with a dazzling mix of rock, gospel, and soul music. THE WIZ JR. is a vibrant take on Dorothy’s adventures through the Land of Oz and a fun, family-friendly musical that is considered one of the most popular and creative theatrical adaptations of all time. Packed with iconic songs like “Ease On Down the Road” and “Brand New Day,” this musical includes exciting dance numbers which blend traditional movement from African culture with ballet, jazz, and modern dance! The Wiz originally opened on Broadway on January 5, 1974. A film adaptation starring Diana Ross premiered on October 24, 1978. In 2015, NBC presented The Wiz Live!, a live television adaptation of the stage musical starring Shanice Williams as Dorothy Gale.
THE WIZ JR. features an all-BIPOC staging team. Director Zhailon Levingston comes to Cincinnati straight from directing Chicken & Biscuits on Broadway, as well as Hadestown, and Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. Choreographer Tislarm Bouie has appeared in numerous Broadway shows, commercials, movies, and live events like SNL and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Seth Howard, a recent graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, is the show’s Scenic Designer. Jason Alexander Holmes, renowned music educator, performer, and Artistic Director of the Cincinnati Boychoir, serves as the Music Director. Contributing spectacular costume designs to the show, Dr. Daryl Harris is a professor teaching diverse interdisciplinary theatre courses at the Northern Kentucky University School of the Arts (SOTA).
If you’ve ever been to a TCT show at the Taft pre-COVID, you could always expect concessions, special merchandise for sale, and exclusive opportunities to meet and get signatures from members of the cast. Things are a little different these days, but the magic is just as palpable as ever. You can scan a code in the foyer (or use this link) to get any of three shirt designs in varying sizes (they are SOOO cute)! We did see some kids with light-up green toys and posters, so you may get lucky while you’re at this particular show that closes the 2021-2022 season!
The set designs from The Children’s Theatre are always second-to-none, but let me just tell you – the costuming for this show was some of the best I have EVER seen over the years. Dr. Daryl Harris is a personal friend of our family, and we couldn’t wait to congratulate him on his costume designs for this show! This adaptation was just the right length, kept in all the key story points, and included all of the musical numbers we love from the original. The entire show, from acting to dancing to singing to set design to costuming, was wonderful. It was my favorite from this season, hands down.
Set in New Orleans – instead of Kansas – we love that our daughter got to see a story told starring a Black family with a BIPOC cast, a BIPOC staging team, and a celebration of African culture. We’re hoping she will be inspired by both the young and adult actors on that stage and take pride in all they have accomplished and all that she can do herself.
Safety protocols are still strictly enforced for the last show of the season, but the staff and volunteers guide everyone through the process with smiles and warmth. Make sure to read up on requirements for photo IDs, masks, vaccinations, and negative COVID tests before planning your trip downtown. Please contact the TCT Box Office with any questions at 513-569-8080 x10 or email them at [email protected].
The Taft Theatre is located at 5th and Sycamore Streets in Downtown Cincinnati. Tickets start at $10. Visit thechildrenstheatre.com for tickets or visit the TCT Box Office at 4015 Red Bank Road, Cincinnati, OH 45227, Monday – Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM to purchase tickets in person. Below are the remaining show times –
- Friday, April 8 at 7pm
- Saturday, April 9 at 11am
- Saturday, April 9 at 2pm
- Sunday, April 10 at 2pm
Did you know older kids can volunteer to help usher and then get to watch the show for free?! They do this for all their shows! Just reach out to TCT if you have a child that’s interested.
TCT has officially announced their 2022-2023 season! Get ready for Disney’s Descendants: The Musical, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer JR., Princess & Frog, and Disney’s Moana JR. (I’m so geeked for this one!!) to be showing at the Taft! Being a season ticket holder brings a lot of perks – my favorite being the FREE parking passes for the Broadway garage only a block or so away. Make sure you see The Wiz JR., get your season tickets, and check out TCT’s Broadway on Demand lineup to hold you over until next season!
