WHERE AND WHEN:
Plays through June 20, 2020. 
Plays Saturdays at 3:00 PM.
Previously announced: January 11, 2020.
Extended dates: January 25; February 1, 15, 29; March 7, 21; April 4, 18; May 2, 16, 30; June 6, 20.
Tato Laviera Theatre, 240 East 123rd Street (near 2rd Ave.), NYC 10035.
Produced by Harlem Repertory Theatre; co-produced by the Yip Harburg Lyrics Foundation.
$10 general admission; $20 premium seating. 
Buy tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-wizard-of-oz-tickets-63525956847 or https://tinyurl.com/y3c995fk or call 917-697-3555.
Show's website: http://www.wizardofozjazzmusical.com/
This production is recommended for ages 4 to 104.
Running time: 1 hour. (no intermission)
PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE at https://photos.app.goo.gl/KTXnAJaAgtPQDSW12

NEW YORK, December 18 -- "The Wizard of Oz: A Jazz Musical for All Ages," presented by Harlem Repertory Theater (HRT) and Yip Harburg Lyrics Foundation, has been extended through June 20, 2020 due to continuing and steady audience interest. The production has played since October 8, 2016 at Tato Laviera Theatre, 240 East 123rd Street (near 2nd Ave.), Manhattan, and has previously been extended seven times.

As of this writing, upcoming performances are Saturdays at 3:00 PM: January 11, 25; February 1, 15, 29; March 7, 21; April 4, 18; May 2, 16, 30; June 6, 20.

The classic musical is being mounted with a multi-racial cast, a jazz underscore and authoritative dramaturgy by representatives of the Yip Harburg Lyrics Foundation. Director/choreographer is Keith Lee Grant, Founding Artistic and Producing Director of Harlem Rep, who is in the midst of a four-year project of presenting classic musicals that have lyrics by E.Y. "Yip" Harburg.

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION
"The Wizard of Oz: A Jazz Musical for All Ages," with its timeless score and eternal allegories, is a magical experience for young (and young-at-heart) audiences. Based on MGM’s classic motion picture, the stage version mounted here follows John Kane's adaptation for the Royal Shakespeare Company, which is based on the book by L. Frank Baum, with brilliant songs by lyricist E.Y. ("Yip") Harburg and composer Harold Arlen.

Thanks to work of dramaturg Deena R. Harburg, President of the Yip Harburg Lyrics Foundation, in association with acclaimed librettist Arthur Perlman, New York audiences have a chance to see the show sharpened to more of the original vision of E.Y. "Yip" Harburg, who was an unashamedly progressive thinker. The cast is multi-racial and features Latino, Black and Asian actors, fulfilling Yip's vision of a multicultural universe. Dorothy, played by Taylor-Rey Rivera, is interpreted as a modern girl and future leader who is growing to realize the confidence she possesses. Her three Land-of-Oz friends--the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion--are envisioned as people of great potential who only need to actualize the heart, brains and courage they already have. One of the story's themes is how the weakness of adults forces children to seize their own destinies and, ironically, to grow up themselves. According to Ernie Harburg, Yip's son and Founding and current Executive Director of the Yip Harburg Lyrics Foundation, Yip wanted to address Dorothy finally going home as a leader. At Harlem Rep, Dorothy will come home to lead the rebuilding of her family's farm. All the "refocusing" is accomplished through the acting of the characters, without changing the iconic dialogue of the script.

Deena Harburg reminds us that "Oz" is also the story of three strong women--Dorothy and two witches--and illustrates how we need more woman leaders. Munchkinland and The Emerald City reflect Harburg's utopian dreams of societies that are egalitarian, without dictatorship of monarchy or religion. Interestingly, "Over the Rainbow" actually expresses the dream of an immigrant--or a would-be immigrant--for a better life in a far away land, a theme of contemporary resonance. This classic song is under-appreciated for this original intent, but is a poignant message in our time, when callousness toward the immigrant is one of our leading socio-political concerns. In the film and its theater adaptation, the song is only sung once. But in this production, it's reprised several times, once with a syncopated feel that is reminiscent of the now-famous rendition that was broadcast a few years back on TV's "Glee” and recorded by Hawaiian singer Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.

Throughout the production, jazz arrangements by Dan Aran are entwined with the classic arrangements in the score. These accents complement the singing of Taylor-Rey Rivera, who introduces jazz colorations to Dorothy's solos with a soulful mezzo voice.  The orchestra is an international jazz trio of Martha Kato (piano), Dan Aran (musical director and percussionist) and Yoshi Waki (bass).

In these new arrangements, the band often illustrates the inner self of the characters with some aspects of their "theme song." For example, in the case of The Cowardly Lion, riffs from "If I Were King of the Forest" are woven into "If I Only Had the Nerve." Whenever the Scarecrow surprises us with profound thinking, there are underscores of "If I Only Had a Brain" to offer a lesson on doubting yourself. "It's a different kind of storytelling," says dramaturg Deena Harburg.

The complete cast is: Taylor-Rey Rivera as Dorothy, Daniel Tamulonis as the Professor/Guard/Wizard, Derrick Montalvo as Scarecrow, Jenna Vega as Lion, Ben Harburg as Tin Man, Zuheila Jason as Aunt Em, Emily Ramirez as Glinda, Paula Galloway as Miss Gulch and Wicked Witch of the West and Robert Coto, Justin Rodriguez and Lenin Alevante in the ensemble.

Lighting design is by Brian Aldous. Costume design is by Daniel Fergus Tamulonis. Projections are by Brian Blanco. Stage manager is Natasha Velez.

E.Y. "Yip" Harburg was known in his lifetime as the "social conscience of Broadway." He was lyricist of the Depression anthem "Brother Can You Spare a Dime?" and such classic Broadway musicals as the anti-racist, anti-capitalist "Finian's Rainbow," and the socially conscious “Jamaica,” “Bloomer Girl" and "Flahooley." Much of what he wrote was charged with progressive social vision. Today, his most familiar achievements are the lyrics for the film "The Wizard of Oz" and its signature song, "Over the Rainbow."

The Yip Harburg Lyrics Foundation (www.yipharburg.com) was created after the lyricist's death to carry on his legacy and to promote educational opportunity, social/economic justice and world peace. Its current Executive Director is Yip's son, Ernie Harburg, co-author of two books, "Who Put The Rainbow In The Wizard of OZ? Yip Harburg, Lyricist" and "The Broadway Musical: Collaboration in Commerce and Art." Deena R. Harburg, dramaturg of this production, is the founding chair of the unique NYU Tisch Graduate Musical Theater Writing Program, and the author of "Fascinating Rhythm: The Collaboration of George and Ira Gershwin" and "The Music Makers." She is Yip’s daughter-in-law, Ernie’s wife and Executive Diretor of Yip Harburg Lyrics Foundation..

Director/choreographer Keith Lee Grant is Founding Artistic Director of Harlem Repertory Theatre and a Professor in the Department of Theatre and Speech at CCNY. He holds an MFA from the Yale School of Drama, an MA from Penn State and a Certificate from the American Conservatory Theater's Advanced Training Program. He has directed and/or choreographed over 130 professional and university productions from "As You Like It, Pinero's "Short Eyes," Inge's "Picnic" to the musicals "Sweeney Todd," "A Little Night Music" and "Mame." He has performed on Broadway in "Marie Christine," "Showboat" and "Ragtime." He has worked Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons, York Theater, Jewish Repertory Theater, New Federal Theatre, AMAS Rep and New York Theater Workshop, among others. His regional credits include Yale Rep, Syracuse Stage, and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. His Harlem Rep productions of "The Wiz" (2009) and "Dreamgirls" (2012) each won two AUDELCO awards (Best Director of a Musical and Best Choreography of a Musical).

The Harlem Repertory Theatre (www.harlemrepertorytheatre.com) is a non-profit theater committed to producing artistically and intellectually challenging productions that explore the experiences of a diverse range of ethnic, social and cultural communities. It stages new works and established classic musicals and plays from bold and innovative perspectives that challenge and/or reflect the Harlem community's cultural and social values. The troupe, under the leadership of Keith Lee Grant, has been in an ongoing exploration of Yip Harburg's work. It staged a critically-praised rendition of "Flahooley" at Harlem Rep and Theater for the New City in 2009-10.

"The Wizard of Oz: A Jazz Musical for All Ages" is recommended for ages 4 to 104. The running time is1 hour (no intermission). Tickets are $10 general admission; $20 premium seating.  To buy tickets, go to http://www.harlemrepertorytheatre.com/current_season.html and https://tinyurl.com/y3c995fk or call 917-697-3555. The show's website is http://www.wizardofozjazzmusical.com/.

RELATED EVENT:
The famed Lyrics and Lyricists concert series at the 92Y, which were started by Yip Harburg, kicks off its 50th year anniversary with a tribute to Yip in collaboration with Ernie and Deena Harburg called "Yip Harburg: Follow the Fellow Who Follows a Dream." It will be presented in the Kaufman Concert Hall at the 92Y January 25-27, 2020.

R E V I E W S FOR "T H E W I Z A R D OF O Z"

TIMES SQUARE CHRONICLES
"With incredible jazz, an excellent ensemble of actors, colorful costumes, and imaginative staging, Harlem Repertory Theatre in collaboration with The Yip Harburg Lyrics Foundation create a fresh view on a classic story.

"Dan Aran’s musical direction shines throughout the piece...The diverse cast of eleven is a cohesive unit of voices and movement.

"One of the best productions of theatre for young audiences that I have ever seen...It would be a pity to miss this captivating rendition of The Wizard of Oz." -- Virginia Jimenez

STAGE BUDDY
"If you don't have a child, find one. And if that fails, go to Harlem Repertory Theatre's 'The Wizard of Oz' anyway....This stupendous stage production based on MGM's classic motion picture is a glorious delight.

"Dorothy is played by Taylor-Rey Rivera, who introduces jazz colorations to her solos with a soulful mezzo voice that is completely enthralling....Enough cannot be said about the incredible cast, all of whom possess high level skills in acting, dancing, and singing. Their energy levels were extraordinary, not just in the physical sense, but in what they gave out to their audience. One couldn't help but feel happy, hopeful and just downright thoroughly elated after seeing this show." -- Tania Fisher

THE BROADWAY BLOG
"It is obvious that engaging and inspiring young audiences is the goal of Harlem Repertory Theatre's production of 'The Wizard of Oz,' co-produced by the Yip Harburg Lyrics Foundation. From the three-piece band on stage playing a light, jazzy version of "Only Make Believe" as the kids with their grown-ups in tow pile in, to the munchkins decked out in technicolor costumes, to the warm and interactive performances, this production truly speaks to the grammar school set.

"Utilizing the openness of the space at the Tato Laviera Theatre at Harlem Prep Elementary School, characters get up close and personal with the children, engaging them as the cast runs the aisles and comes right up to the first row of seats, involving the enthusiastic crowd in songs that most children already know by heart.

"The cast delivers solid vocals, giving the familiar tunes a more modern spin. Rivera belts the show-stopping "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" with confidence, throwing in a little soulful personality. The ensemble plays to the little ones with large interpretations and big energy.

"Accompanying me to this performance was my five-year-old daughter. While I could go on about details of a missed moment here, a pacing issue there, etc., I think her repeated squeals of joy and this quote from her say it best, "Mom, can we go see it again next week?"

"The Harlem Rep's Young Audiences production of The Wizard of Oz is exactly that: a dear and energetic production that serves its young audience well." -- April Stamm

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PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE at https://photos.app.goo.gl/KTXnAJaAgtPQDSW12

Press coverage please contact: Jonathan Slaff, Press Rep, 212-924-0496, js@jsnyc.com.

PERFORMANCE COUNT: Opened October 8, 2016. As of the end of this extension, on June 20, 2020, "The Wizard of Oz" will have played 82 performances.