Hammond students present musical "The Wiz"

HAMMOND | The Hammond Academy for the Performing Arts at Morton High School will premiere its spring theater season with “The Wiz," written by William F. Brown with music by Charlie Smalls.

OFFBEAT: Felicia Fields one-woman show entertains while looking for an audience

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

OFFBEAT: Felicia Fields one-night Munster show a perfect V-Day

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

OFFBEAT: MHS teacher nets rights to rare 'Wizard of Oz' inspired stage work

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Performance Arts campers present 'The Wiz' in Calumet City

The Performance Arts Camp campers rehearse for their performance of "The Wiz" on Friday afternoon at T.F. North High School in Calumet City. The play was presented for the public Friday evening.

James Earl Jones II and Adrianna Parson starred in "The Wiz" at Theatre at the Center

Actor James Earl Jones II, shown here with actress Adrianna Parson, received a Jeff Award nomination for his role as The Lion in "The Wiz" at Theatre at the Center.

OFFBEAT: Theatre at the Center nets two Jeff Award nominations for 2011-2011 season

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Of Notoriety: "The Wiz" enchants in Munster

I've been spending my summer shadowing Times Columnist Philip Potempa, who is also my professor at Valparaiso University. During my time shadowing Professor Potempa and writing on this blog, I have discovered an enjoyment of writing film reviews. As a lover of cinema, movies have always had …

Seven-time Tony Award Winner 'The Wiz' now in at Theater at the Center

MUNSTER | The Broadway smash hit musical 'THE WIZ,' with book by William F. Brown and music by Charlie Smalls, will blow audiences away now through August 7 at Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana.

"The Wiz" at Theatre at the Center in Munster, Ind.

Darius Colquitt (left to right) as Scarecrow, Jesse Dean Stanford as Tinman, Adrianna Parson as Dorothy and James Earl Jones II as Lion meet Alexis J. Rogers as the colorful witch Addaperle in "The Wiz" playing through Aug. 7 at the Theatre at the Center in Munster.

OFFBEAT: Theatre at the Center's 'The Wiz' a fun and funky trip with old friends

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Felicia Fields on Stage

Actress Felicia Fields, who hails from Blue Island, Ill., is starring as witchy Evillene in the stage musical "The Wiz" at Theatre at the Center, opening Thursday and playing through Aug. 7.

Adrianna Parson as Dorothy with Indigo as Toto

Actress Adrianna Parson plays Dorothy, joined by canine cast member Indigo as Toto in the new stage production of "The Wiz" opening Thursday at Theatre at the Center and running through Aug. 7.

Easin' on Down the Road in Munster

Darius Colquitt (left to right) as Scarecrow, Adrianna Parson as Dorothy, James Earl Jones II as The Lion and Jesse Stanford as Tinman star in "The Wiz" at Theatre at the Center opening Thursday and playing through Aug. 7.

Chicago South Side actress Felicia Fields eager for 'The Wiz'

Actress Felicia Fields likes to describe it as "as stage story with a message of home."

Lake Central thespians stage high-energy musical "The Wiz"

ST. JOHN | Ease on down the road with the Lake Central High School Theatre Company as it presents "The Wiz," Motown's musical retelling of L. Frank Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" in the context of African American culture.