"THE WIZ"

Presented by The Melanie Thornton Youth Arts Foundation and M.PoWeR Productions, “THE WIZ” is a Broadway musical that is being performed by kids aged 3 to 16 from all over the Metro Atlanta area.  Performances will take place on Thursday, April 21st at 7pm, Friday, April 22nd at 7pm and Saturday, April 23rd at 1pm and 6pm, at the Berkmar High School Theater, 405 Pleasant Hill Road, Lilburn, GA 30047. 

Based on The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz by L. Frank Baum, “THE WIZ” is an updated version of the original story where Dorothy is blown by a tornado into munchkinland where she meets the Scarecrow, the Tin-man, and the Cowardly Lion. They all go off to see the Wizard of Oz and through their experiences learn how to believe in themselves.

The original Broadway musical opened in January of 1975, starred Stephanie Mills as Dorothy, and won seven (7) Tony awards.  Michael Jackson and Diana Ross starred in the movie version in 1978.  Since then, “THE WIZ” has been performed by music theater groups all over the world. 

Onyx Keesha, the Director, has over twelve years experience running successful performing arts programs for kids and adults in New Jersey and New York.  Onyx has directed and produced such plays as Aida, Annie, Once on this Island and A Raisin in the Sun, to name a few.  She has now teamed up with The Melanie Thornton Youth Arts Foundation to bring her groundbreaking performing arts program here to Georgia.  M.PoWeR Production’s programs allow kids to become the best performers they can be by integrating character building lessons with performance skill development. 

The Melanie Thornton Youth Arts Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose primary goal is to develop leadership potential in youth through arts enrichment programs.  The foundation offers instruction in dance, drama, art, music and martial arts at their Creative Arts Center in Duluth, 3090 Buford Hwy., next to Big Lots, with an 18,000+ square foot addition being added in Lilburn, at 4230 Lawrenceville Hwy., next to Gwinnett College.  The foundation also provides a mobile program where instructors travel throughout the Metro Atlanta area to teach at schools, churches and daycare centers.  For more information go to www.foundationforyoutharts.org or call 678-462-0535. 

The foundation was named in memory of famous singer Melanie Thornton, who died in a plane crash in 2001 while promoting her first solo CD.  Melanie Thornton was most well known for being the lead singer in the European dance duo, LaBouche, who’s hits “BE MY LOVER,” “SWEET DREAMS,” and “FALLING IN LOVE” earned gold and platinum sales awards in 25 countries.

“THE WIZ” is great entertainment for the entire family.  Tickets are $10, less than the cost of a movie ticket, and are available online at www.foundationforyoutharts.org, under the Events tab in the main menu.  Come and reacquaint yourself with Dorothy and her friends and introduce your children to this unforgettable, magical story.