White Horse Theatre Company Presents "The Wiz"

Returning to its populist roots that fostered productions such as The Who's Tommy, Merrily We Roll Along and I Sing, White Horse Theatre Company (WHTC) is proud to present an event for children from ages 5 to 75 - The Wiz, based on "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum, book by William F. Brown, music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls.

This production of The Wiz, will be taking audiences into a world of rhythm, imagination, adventure and self-discovery as WHTC adds its special brand of storytelling to this classic American tale.

"This was the first movie I ever saw," said Craig Joseph, a WHTC company member and director of The Wiz,. "My mom actually went into labor as we were in the theater watching the movie and we had to leave. I was obsessed with how the movie ended for weeks, and have continued to be fascinated by and in love with the story since then. I couldn't be more excited to direct this excellent cast in one of my favorite tales."

The Wiz is based on "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," by L. Frank Baum. The story is the one we all know by heart. Dorothy is blown by a tornado into Munchkinland and travels through Oz to meet the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Cowardly Lion. They all go off to see the Wiz and to ask him to fulfill their various wishes. But in The Wiz (unlike The Wizard of Oz), home is not a geographical place, but a state of being comfortable in your own skin and with who you are.

The White Horse Theatre Company production of The Wiz, opens March 3, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont Ave, Chicago, Ill. The Wiz runs from March 3 - 25, with Thursday and Friday performances at 7:00 p.m., Saturday performances at 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $25, with student and senior tickets for $22. There will be one preview performance on Friday, March 2 at 7:00 p.m., with tickets available for $10. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Theatre Building Chicago box office at (773) 327-5252 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit www.whitehorsetheatre.com.

The Wiz, is directed by Craig Joseph, with music direction by Ryan Brewster and choreography by Baron Clay, all WHTC company members. The cast is made up of the finest African-American actors in Chicago and features Samara Smith as Dorothy. The cast also includes Michael Booth, Michele Cason, Sharyon Culberson, Rueben Echoles, Desla Epison, Shayla Jarvis, Melanie McCullough, Andrew Malone, Dwight Neal, Vonzel Reynolds, Gerald Richardson, Bethany Thomas and Vallea E. Woodbury.

White Horse Theatre Company seeks to re-imagine the art of musical theatre through an innovative and diverse perspective. WHTC also serves as a forum for up-and-coming musical writers and composers to present their work. Since it was founded in the January of 2002, WHTC has produced six productions to critical acclaim and box office success. WHTC has produced two Jeff Recommended productions, for which it has received nine Joseph Jefferson Citation Nominations, for which it was awarded three Joseph Jefferson Citations. -- www.theatrebuildingchicago.org