The Ensemble Theatre Extends The Wiz Two More Weeks
The Ensemble responds to public demand by extending its presentation of the Tony Award winning musical The Wiz August 20-August 30, 2009.
“We are humbled by the community’s response to The Wiz and delighted to continue to create theatrical art,” says Eileen J. Morris, The Ensemble Artistic Director. “This has been a very emotional experience for all of us with the loss of Michael Jackson, who we also remember as Scarecrow in the film adaptation.”
Theatre patrons have rushed to purchase tickets to The Ensemble’s season finale since early this year. The Wiz sold out well in advance of its Opening Night performance on June 25. It was originally scheduled to end July 19, but the demand for tickets was so high the theatre added an additional week of performances through July 26. It took a little over a day and a half before the show was sold out again.
Now, The Ensemble has added two weeks of performances at the end of August. The extended dates will follow its 2009 Gala weekend activities that include two performances of The Wiz at Miller Outdoor Theatre.
“We believe in celebrating the arts, so The Ensemble Theatre has dedicated its entire run and extension dates of The Wiz in memory of the legacy of phenomenal artist and creative genius, Michael Jackson,
the King of Pop,” says Morris.
Choreographer/ Director Patdro Harris and Musical Director Carlton Leake have become a regular pairing for The Ensemble’s musical productions. They enhance the synergy among the theatre’s artists and
supporters.
“It takes a lot of work to make such a large production run smoothly,” says Harris. “We were blessed to witness the community’s ownership and passion for The Ensemble Theatre. Volunteers have come from everywhere to assist behind the scenes from sewing and cleaning costumes to dropping off cases of bottled water for the cast during rehearsals. It’s just amazing.”
Extension Dates: August 20 – August 30, 2009
Performances: Thursdays: 7:30 p.m.; Fridays: 8:00 p.m.; Saturdays: 2:00p.m. and 8:00p.m.; and Sundays: 3:00p.m.
Seating is limited. Call for availability: (713) 520-0055 or visit: www.ensemblehouston.com
Next year is the 35th anniversary of ‘The Wiz’ as one of Broadway’s widely accepted productions featuring an entirely African American cast.
The Wiz was published by writer William F. Brown and musically arranged by composer and musical prodigy Charlie Smalls. It premiered on Broadway in 1975 with the original cast featuring: Tiger Haynes, Ted Ross, Hinton Battle, Stephanie Mills, Clarice Taylor, Mabel King, Andre De Shields, Tasha Thomas, and DeeDee Bridgewater. The production won seven Tony Awards including : Best Musical; Best Original Score; Best Featured Actor and Actress in a Musical -Ted Ross and Dee Dee Bridgewater; Best Costume Design; Best Choreography – George Faison, the first African American to win in the category; and Best Direction of a Musical.
In 1978 the film version emerged featuring popular celebrities of the time: Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, Ted Ross, Lena Horne, and Richard Pryor.
Featured actors on The Ensemble’s stage include: Eddie Bassey, Anthony Boggess-Glover, Joshua Bolden, Bryant Bowie, Jennifer Colvin, Justin Cook, Henry Edwards, Melanie Finley, Tiffany Gilbert, Raiya Goodman, Tamara Harper, Tommie Harper, Kenyatta Herring, Vincent James, Danielle King, Shaunyce Omar, Maya Petty, Crystal Sharadin, Katlynn Smith, Roenia Thompson, Constance T. Washington, Tracey Wheat, Tangela Wilson, and Gary E. Vincent.
The Ensemble Theatre’s 2008-2009 Season is sponsored in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance and Texas Commission on the Arts. Continental Airlines is the exclusive airline sponsor for The Ensemble Theatre. This production was generously underwritten by Spectra Energy, Wells Fargo, Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P., and KRIV FOX 26.
The Ensemble Theatre was founded in 1976 by the late George Hawkins to preserve African American artistic expression and to enlighten, entertain, and enrich a diverse community. The theatre is known as one of the only professional theatres in its region dedicated to the production of works portraying the African American experience. In addition to being the oldest and largest professional African American
theatre in the Southwest, it also holds the distinction of being one of the nation’s largest African American theatres that owns and operates its facility with an in-house production team. Board President Emeritus
Audrey Lawson led the capital campaign for The Ensemble’s $4.5 million building renovations that concluded in 1997.
The Ensemble Theatre produces a main stage season of contemporary and classic works devoted to the portrayal of the African American experience by local and national playwrights and artists. The theatre’s Performing Arts Education program provides educational workshops, Artist-in-Residence experiences and live performances for students both off-site and at the theatre. Through its varied programs, The Ensemble Theatre benefits an audience and artistic constituency of approximately 65,000 people annually
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