BY MELISSA RUGGIERI
The Kenny Leon-helmed live version of “The Wiz” airs on NBC Thursday night, but you might want to ease on down to the Hard Rock Café to watch it.
A viewing party for “The Wiz Live!,” hosted by CNN’s Holly Firfer, her husband Shawn Arnold and Atlanta Chapter senior executive director of the Recording Academy, Michele Caplinger, will be held to benefit Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company.
Tickets are $50 (and 100 percent tax deductible) and include food and beverage. The event takes place from 7-11 p.m. at the Hard Rock in downtown Atlanta (215 Peachtree Street N.E.).
Atlanta's Leon, who won a Tony Award last year for his revival of "A Raisin in the Sun" on Broadway, has tackled TV movies ("Steel Magnolias") and episodes ("Private Practice") and is no stranger to live productions. In addition to his Tony-winning directing turn with "Raisin," he's steered "Fences," "The Mountaintop" and the Tupac Shakur musical, "Holler if Ya Hear Me" on Broadway.
The True Colors Theatre Company, which Leon co-founded in 2002, produces world premiere plays and hosts the now-national annual August Wilson Monologue Competition.
To purchase tickets to Thursday’s viewing party, click here.
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