PCA rolls out a wow of a 'Wiz'

Caryn Wells will play the wicked witch Evilene in the PCA production of 'The Wiz.'

'The Wiz' is directed by Donna Wilson with assistance from JoAnna Chriswell. Musical direction is by Dr. Greg Boatwright, choreography by Veneshia Stribling. Performances will take place on Thursday through Saturday. November 20 - 22, at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, November 23, at 3 p.m. in the Richland District Two Auditorium, located on the Richland Northeast campus, 7500 Brookfield Road. Tickets, available at the door, are $5 for students and $7 for adults. For more information, contact Donna Wilson at 699-2800 ext. 2833 or dowilson@rnh.richland2.org.

Written by William F. Brown, with music and lyrics by Charles Small, 'The Wiz' won seven of Broadway's Tony awards, including Best Musical and Best Score. The familiar story of Dorothy’s attempt to get back home to Kansas after being dropped by a tornado into Munchkin land takes on a whole new perspective with a cast of hip and streetwise characters who join her in some perilous adventures on the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City.

The cast features Crystal Stewart and Jordan Jones double cast in the role of Dorothy, Torron Grimes as the Lion, Justin Hall as the mysterious Wiz, Herman Whaley and Tevin Williams double cast as the Scarecrow, and Janel Bess and Bianca Davis double cast as the Tin Man.

Also double cast are Kelly Gibbons and Whitney Sullivan as Addapearl, Rashida Beach and Caryn Wells as Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Alexis Counts and Ashley McFadden as Glenda the good witch. Dorothy’s Aunt Em is portrayed by Jasmine James and Karli Wells.

In addition, the cast includes Trey King as the Royal Gatekeeper, Raamon Bryant as the Winged Monkey, Jeremy Hunsaker as Lord High Underling, Rachel Lourie as the Messenger, and Jessie Johnson as Toto. Alexis Mercado, Nicole Richmond, Lisa Houck, and Catherine Taylor characterize the Yellow Brick Road. Featured munchkins and Emerald City citizens are Tyne Freeman, Jalissa Fulton, Brianna Foster-Briggs, Abby Pearman, Madeline Warrington, Katie Lott, Morgan Grooms, and Mary Ervin. Dancers Akira Ansari, Nia Harris, and Shay Manuel portray the Tornados and Poppies. Rounding out the cast as Kalidahs, Mice, Evillene’s Winkies, and Monkeys are Steve Copely, Sheridan Covington, Katie Burke, Dawn Bussell, Tori Allen, Asama abu-Selmia, and Valencia Mitchell.

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