“The Wiz Walk” reviewed by Frank Meccia

THEATRE Y PRESENTS AND HOSTS:
THE WIZ WALK
DIRECTED BY: MELISSA LORRAINE&SHARON UDOH

*** RECOMMEND
For over 15 years Theatre Y has been a driving force on the west side of Chicago to bring life, magic and the arts to the North Lawndale community. This summer under their Camino Project which is a program to show off the community, their all-age youth program decided on creating writing and performing the magic between the” Wizard of Oz” and “The Wiz” , to show off their talents and their community.

The Wiz Walk  is a half mile walk, come rain or shine, that tells you the story of Oz ,while showing off the neighborhood. The show starts off at Theater Y.located at 3611 West Cermak Road in Chicago. Our story begins with the introduction of Aunt Em and Uncle Henry played by Emjaiye Royale and Richard Bonds,. We meet Dora and her constant 4-legged companion Tutti played by Braniah
Townsel and Eric Roberts. I felt sorry for Roberts crawling all over the sidewalks and streets during the play, but this would have been even harder to attempt with an actual dog. After suffering a loss she starts her journey with the help of her cousins played by Christopher Bonds, Emily Bynum. The journey begins.. On their journey, they meet a wicked witch played by Nadia Pillay, and come across new friends the Lion played by Catrina Evans, the Scarecrow played by Roesha Townsel, and the Tin Man played by Jada Dunkertell-Thetenman,

Along the way, in an open convertible, they meet The Wiz, played by Marvin Tate, who tells them that  to get to their dream they have to perform a task. After performing their task, they set out to find
OZ and follow the yellow brick road. As they continue their journey, the original music and songs are performed and played by Sharon Udoh and sung by the cast. After meeting the Wiz, we journey back to the beginning and end up in a new restaurant, run by her aunt and uncle.

The magic of this journey is we get to see some historic sites in North Lawndale, from Paderewski Elementary School to Shedd Park and field house to the walk to back lot of Theatre Y and to their roof top for a dramatic view of the city. This journey is not for those who are not physically fit. You will sign a waiver, considering you will walk about a half a mile, and climb up 5 flights of stairs to the rooftop, but it is all worth it, afterwards you get to dine in Ozzie’s. A
great soul dinner, fried chicken, excellent Mac and Cheese, collard greens, and a fantastic crustless apple cobbler.

This three-hour journey is an excellent way to see some of the great “Greystones” in the Chicagoland area.

Tickets are free with donations accepted, or you can pay what you want on their website. www.theatre-y.com

To get tickets go to www.theatre-y-com, the show will go on every
weekend from 2-5pm till Aug 12th, , a closing performance on Aug13th on Sundays on State from
1:30 to 2:30 pm.

With all that we read and hear about our youth programs lacking, this is a wonderful experience that will show you a little of the city, the talent that is out there and a nice meal.