The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati Presents the World-Premiere Adaptation of THE WIZ JR.

Run, don't walk, to grab your tickets for The Wiz Jr., presented by The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati April 2-11 at the Taft Theatre.

Director Zhailon Levingston is coming to Cincinnati all the way from Broadway for the world-premiere adaptation of THE WIZ JR., running from April 2 through April 11 at the Taft Theatre. The show invites audiences to "Ease On Down The Road" to Taft Theatre to wrap up the company's 2021-2022 MainStage Season.

The show features a staging team composed of all BIPOC Broadway talent. Alongside director Levingston is choreographer Tislarm Bouie, who has appeared in numerous Broadway shows, commercials, movies, and live events including SNL and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Also part of the show is recent graduate of the University of Cincinnati-Conservatory of Music's Seth Howard, who is the show's scenic designer. Other notable names working on the show include Jason Alexander Holmes and Dr. Daryl Harris.

Audiences will enjoy the infusion of rock, gospel, and soul music throughout the show as it brings to life a vibrant take on Dorothy's adventures through the Land of Oz. It's a fun, family-friendly musical that is one of the most popular of all time. The show includes iconic songs such as "Ease On Down The Road" and "Brand New Day."

Dancing throughout the show includes a blend of traditional movement from African culture with ballet, jazz, and modern dance.

THE WIZ JR. is made possible by sponsors of The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati including the PNC Foundation; The Summit Hotel; TriHealth; The Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation; ArtsWave; Ohio Arts Council; The Patricia A. Corbett Trust; The Charles H. Dater Foundation; H.B., W.E. and F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation; Fifth Third Bank; and Narley L. Haley, Co-Trustees.

And don't miss the cast of the show!

• Kevin Bell - Vocal Ensemble
• Will Gibson - Scarecrow
• Brittany "Harmony" Hayes - Dance Ensemble / Ozian Citizen 1 / Munchkin 2 / Winkie
• LaShondra Hood - Vocal Ensemble
• *Diana Hutchinson - Crow #3 / Monkey / Munchkin / Ozian
• Je'Shaun Jackson - Lion
• Kyndra Jefferies – Addaperle / Winkie
• Dorion Katriel - Tin Man
• *Rosie Kipperman - Crow #1 / Monkey / Munchkin / Ozian #7
• Jazz McMullen - The Wiz / Munchkin 1
• Deondra Kamau - Uncle Henry / Winkie (Lord High Underling) / Ozian (Gatekeeper)
• *Peyton Morgan - Crow #2 / Monkey / Munchkin / Ozian
• Ashley Morton - Dance Ensemble / Ozian / Munchkin / Winkie
• Spring Starr Pillow - Evillene / Munchkin 5
• Kayla Sankofa - Dance Captain / Dance Ensemble / Ozian / Winkie / Munchkin
• Tia Seay – Glinda / Winkie
• Brandi Langford Sherrill - Dorothy
• Thomas Les Smith - Dance Ensemble / Ozian Citizen 2 / Winkie / Munchkin 3
• R. DeAndre Smith - Vocal Ensemble
• Kathy Wade - Aunt Em / Ozian Citizen 3
• Tangernika Wyatt - Vocal Ensemble
• Aleah Vassell - Vocal Ensemble
• *Denotes Youth Ensemble

Understudies: For Dorothy – Diana Hutchinson; for Tin Man and Scarecrow – Thomas Les Smith; for Evillene – Brittany Hayes; for Uncle Henry, Lord High Underling, and Gatekeeper – Kevin Bell; for Glinda and Aunt Em – Tangernika Wyatt; for Addapearle – LaShondra Hood; for Lion and The Wiz – R. DeAndre Smith

Below are showtimes for THE WIZ JR.:

• Saturday, April 2 - 2pm
• Saturday, April 2 - 5pm
• Sunday, April 3 - 2pm
• Friday, April 8 - 7pm
• Saturday, April 9 - 11am
• Saturday, April 9 - 2pm
• Sunday, April 10 - 2pm

School performances of THE WIZ JR. will also be held April 5 through April 11 during the daytime hours. A sensory-friendly performance will be held Wednesday, April 6, at 1pm.

The show is ideal for those ages 4 and up. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased here. The Taft Theatre and The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati do have COVID protocols they both continue to follow, so be sure to make note of that before purchasing a ticket.