The WIZ 2012

MaPeach Productions proudly presents the long anticipated performance of “The Wiz”. To be held at The Charter Oak Cultural Center located at 21 Charter Oak Ave, Hartford CT. Dates: Thursday August 9, 2012 @ 7:30pm, Friday August 10, 2012 @ 8:00pm, Saturday August 11, 2012 @ 3:00pm & 7:30pm & Sunday August 12, 2012 @ 3:00pm.

The Wiz: is a musical with music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls and book by William F. Brown. It is a retelling of L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of OZ in the context of African American Culture. It opened on October 21, 1974. The 1975 Broadway production won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

The Musical Director of this production, Charmagne Tripp, is both a lyricist and vocalist. Her recent success as the featured vocalist on the highly anticipated album from Rap Superstar, Eminem has exposed her to audiences internationally. Charmagne wrote and sang the lyrics to the hook on “We Made You”, the first single released from the album “Relapse” produced by Dr.Dre and Doc Ish which topped charts worldwide and has won a Grammy for Best Rap album. She began her career dazzling audiences with her rendition of “The National Anthem” performed at professional competitions throughout the country. She performed at Sean “P Diddy” Combs’ 3rd Annual All-Star Festival in Cancun, Mexico. She has also featured with live Jazz and R&B bands at Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun Casinos and various Music festivals. She has opened for recording artists Brian McKnight, Deborah Cox & Roy Ayers.

The Director of this production, a well known poet, playwright and actor, is a native of Hartford, CT. Darlene “Peaches” Brandon is most known locally as the former host of the Monday night “Love Jones Experience” of which she retired from to pursue directing under her company MaPeach Productions. In September of 2008 Darlene was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, which directly affected her ability to perform.

Through her love for the arts, Darlene began her fight to gain mobility so she could return to the stage. Darlene has taken on the role of Director for this performance; she has heart for the artistic community and is dedicated to bringing quality performances to the Greater Hartford area while coaching and developing new and seasoned talent.

This star-studded performance includes some of the most powerful entertainers in our local artistic community. The all-star lineup includes: Grammy Award Winner, Charmagne Tripp, Marquis “Qwes” Johnson, Evelyn Dillon, Jonathan Smalls, Crystal Senter Brown, Allison McMeans, Patrick Comos and Sharece M. Sellem. The production is choreographed by Sharece M. Sellem and Jus Hues. Please come and follow along with us as we bring Broadway to Hartford through the most electrifying performers from this area, we present to you “TheWiz”.