We Did it Again! The WIZ 2015

Another sold out MaPeach Production’s performance of The Wiz.

This production, held at: University of Saint Joseph, Hoffman Auditorium in the Bruyette Athenaeum, 1678 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117 sold completely out. The audience was captivated by every scene and moved by every note. MaPeach Productions has been committed to producing and developing an eclectic repertory of challenging, bold, and thought-provoking work, representing a varied array of theatrical styles and forms.  While choosing the best and brightest from the area we’ve created a platform that is unique and supported.

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 and won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

This Musical whimsically talks about transformation and faith, which is a message MaPeach Productions embraces. In this soulful, entertaining musical we have received rave reviews and experienced the wonder of transformation as well. We hope that you, too, are transformed by what you see at every MaPeach experience.

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 long-standing host of the Monday night “Love Jones Experience” as well as the founder of  MaPeach Productions.

She coaches the Connecticut Poetry Slam team, Verbal Slap, currently ranked 15th in the nation, all while teaching the youth the foundations of acting. Darlene has a 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.

The Musical Director, for this production, Colin Ivan Osborn is a native of New Britain, CT and a graduate of Eastern Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a Concentration in Music Performance. 

Colin has been performing on stage since the age of three years old. Colin has performed all over the United States and has perform with/ shared the stage the with artists such as Beverly Crawford, Donnie McClurkin, Kirk Carr, Darryl Coley, VaShawn Mitchell, Lisa McClendon and Stephen Hurd, just to name a few.

Colin has completed his first musical project as singer, songwriter and producer of the The Other Side: The Album, which is the musical soundtrack to the stage play (The Other Side) which he has written and is currently producing. Colin has also instituted “In The Key of C Vocal Class and Voice Training” providing vocal instruction and workshops throughout the Metro Hartford area.  Colin is not only excited about being the Musical Director; he was also excited about reprising his role a “Tin Man”.

Our play supports inner-city families in Connecticut. Through community performances, we are able to create opportunities for local talent to be discovered. We harness the potential all of these talented individuals to create a unique theatre experience. We believe in the power of community and have witnessed first-hand how theater has brought together individuals from diverse communities for one common goal. If you are new to our audience, we welcome you. We also invite you to join the MaPeach Production family and dream a little harder, believe a little more and to recognize the beauty that is found within, in yourself and others.