New Tampa Players Perform ‘The Wiz’

TAMPA, FL – The New Tampa Players are hoping folks from around the area will ease on down the road to the University Area to see their latest production.

The Players are set to perform The Wiz, the seven-time Tony award winning musical based on the L. Frank Baum classic children’s tale, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

The story still focuses on Dorothy Gale, a girl who is whisked away to the mysterious Land of Oz, where she gets help from Scarecrow, Tinman and the Cowardly Lion to find her way back home. However, The Wiz gives the story an urban bent, filled with the soulful sounds of the mid-1970s.

The Wiz features several classic songs, made famous by the 1978 film adaptation starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson, including “Ease on down the Road,” “Brand New Day” and “No Bad News.”

In the New Tampa Players production, the cast is led by Carmi Harris (Dorothy), Tron Montgomery (Scarecrow), Thomas Williams (Tinman) and Michael Jo’Mae (Lion).

The schedule for The Wiz is:

• Fridays (July 28, Aug. 4) – 8 p.m.
• Saturdays (July 29, Aug. 5) – 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Sundays (July 30, Aug. 6) – 2 p.m.

The Saturday, Aug. 5 at 2 p.m. performance will be interpreted for the deaf.

The New Tampa Players perform at the University Area CDC, 14013 N. 22nd St. in Tampa. Tickets for The Wiz are $25 for adults, $20 for students and seniors, and $20 each for groups of 10 or more.

The production was funded in part by a grant from the Arts Council of Tampa Bay. The New Tampa Players also partnered with the following organizations:

• University Area CDC – The New Tampa Players provides arts educational opportunities for the residents of the University Area, including theater workshops on acting, singing, choreography and technical skills.
• Metropolitan Ministries – The New Tampa Players are hosting a school supply drive for the children assisted by Metropolitan Ministries. Patrons who bring a school supply to The Wiz will receive $1 off admission.
• State of the Art Interpreting – State of the Art Interpreting will provide the ASL interpretation for the Aug. 5 at 2 p.m. performance.
• Heart Gallery of Tampa Bay – The Heart Gallery of Tampa Bay displays its gallery at each of the New Tampa Players’ performances.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.newtampaplayers.org.

Images courtesy of New Tampa Players