“The Wiz” comes to the Rome City Auditorium on Friday and Saturday.

Rome’s Own Musical Ensembles presents the musical which will feature local student actors as well as peformers from throughout the community.

The Chamber Players of the South Orchestra will provide the music under the direction of Sam Baltzer.

Doront’e Evans will direct the show.

The Wiz is a 1975 Broadway musical based on “The Wondreful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum exclusively featuring African American actors.

A motion picture adaptation of The Wiz was produced in 1978 by Motown Productions and Universal Pictures starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, Lena Horne and Richard Pryor.

Baltzer said the music is virtually the same as in the film version.

“It’s a mixture of Motown, soul, gospel and pop influences,” he said. “The orchestra will be on stage with the singers out in front.”

True to the original broadway production, Baltzer said all the lead roles will be played by African American actors primarily from Shorter College as well as community members.

The show is being sponsored by Rome’s Own Musical Ensembles, 100 Black Men of Northwest Georgia and the Montessori School of Rome.

“It’s going to be a great family show that people of all ages will enjoy,” Baltzer said.

“The Wiz” takes place Friday and Saturday at the Rome City Auditorium, 601 Broad St., starting at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and are available at Kroger, The Music Room and at the door on the evening of the show.

For reserved seats, call 706-233-7285