2008 ‘Oz’ the musical
Oz, the musical featuring Idol contestants, coming to Lubbock stage
By William Kerns | A-J ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Story last updated at 8/19/2008 – 1:37 am
“Oz, the musical,” a contemporary musical treatment of the popular L. Frank Baum story “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” will be staged at 7 p.m. Aug. 29 and 30 at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center Theatre, 1501 Mac Davis Lane.
The original musical was written by Plainview native Todrick D. Hall.
Direction and choreography also are by Hall, who danced with Ballet Lubbock at age 9 under artistic director Yvonne Racz, and, more recently, appeared in the Broadway musical “The Color Purple.”
The play’s stars, said Hall, will include four former “American Idol” participants:
• Mikalah Gordon as Dorothy. She was the 11th-place finalist on the fourth season. She has been signed to a development deal with Warner Bros., and has been compared to Fran Drescher and Bette Midler.
• Scott Savol as the Lion. He was the fifth-place finalist on the fourth season.
• Rickey Smith as the Tinman. He was the eighth-place finalist on the second season.
• Vonzell Solomon as Glinda. She was the third-place finalist on the fourth season. Now CEO of independent record label Melodic Records; before starting the company, she was the highest finishing “American Idol” contestant not to receive a recording contract afterward.
In addition, hundreds of Lubbock and area children have been cast as Munchkins and in other small roles.
Gordon, Savol, Smith and Solomon are expected to arrive in Lubbock on Aug. 25, and begin rehearsals on Aug. 26 with local actors.
The play includes 13 original pieces of music.
Reserved seats for “Oz, the musical” are $23.50 (includes $3.50 service charge).
Tickets can be purchased at the Select-A-Seat outlets at Caviel’s Pharmacy, Dollar Western Wear, Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, Ralph’s Records & Tapes, Texas Tech Student Union’s ticket booth and United Supermarkets. Call 770-2000 or (800) 735-1288 for more details.
A portion of the production’s proceeds will be used by production company Force of Rhythm to finance scholarships for four cast members for one year’s tuition to the Hub Performing Arts School in Lubbock.
Hall said that another portion of nightly proceeds will be “used to start a company that will allow children all over the United States and Canada to perform this musical at their community theater, church or high school.”
He added that he wrote the first draft of “Oz, the musical” when he was 17.
Since then, said Hall, “The musical has been performed more than 50 times in nine cities, including New York; St. George, Utah; Bedford; Fort Worth; Gainesville; Plainview; and Stephenville.”
To comment on this story:
william.kerns@lubbockonline.com 766-8712
shelly.gonzales@lubbockonline.com 766-8747