The yellow brick road which leads to Oz will be making a detour through Des Moines this month.

The Des Moines Playhouse will bring back childhood memories with the hit Broadway musical “The Wiz” — a musical version of the popular family story “The Wizard of Oz.”

Many people will remember the story which takes us on an adventure with Dorothy who has been swept up by a twister. The young Kansas girl and her trusty dog, Toto, are magically placed in a world of unusual creatures. As she follows the yellow brick road, she meets a variety of new friends including the scarecrow, tinman and a cowardly lion.

Dorothy and her new friends take a trip to the Emerald City to meet with the Wiz, who they believe is the only power high enough to help them face their fears and get back home. However, this trip is disrupted by the evil witch, Evilene, and many other obstacles along their way.

The show, which was also made into a movie starring Michael Jackson and Diana Ross, features the hit song “Ease on Down the Road.”

Lee Ann Bakros, marketing and public relations director for The Playhouse said “The Wiz” is a show for all ages. While “The Wiz” does not feature the same music as the MGM movie, “children will recognize the story and enjoy it,” she said.

The musical isn’t just for kids, though. Embedded in all the music and adventure is a serious look at a young woman’s travel from childhood to adulthood. “There are some very subtle dark tones, as it looks at all the dangers you face growing up,” Bakros said.

“The Wiz,” which was originally written for a black cast, faces a few changes as it comes to Des Moines. “What’s neat about what we’ve done here is we’ve made it a multicultural cast,” Bakros said.

The Playhouse’s cast is a mix of newcomers and veterans and incorporates performers of all ages. Natalie Simms-Patton (Dorothy) makes her debut on the stage with a little help from her family. Patton’s mother will be playing one of the witches, and her husband will be operating the soundboard.

“They’ve made it a real family affair,” Bakros said. Patton received her masters in regional and community planning from Iowa State.

Another newcomer to the stage is William Webster (The Wiz). Bakros attributes his big booming voice and shaved head to much of the success of his character.

“He’s actually kind of scary,” she said. However, Bakros added that Webster’s true personality shines through in the end as he brings out the warmth of The Wiz.

While the cast features many newcomers, the artistic team is very experienced. The musical is directed and choreographed by William Whitlock III. Whitlock was in the national touring company of “The Wiz” for nearly three years and appeared on Broadway in the show. In recent years, he has choreographed a number of shows for the Playhouse.

The set has been designed by Tim Wisgerhof. A native of Urbandale, Wisgerhof has spent two years in New York and recently completed the set design for “Apartment 2F,” a new MTV production. Bakros said Wisgerhof will also be working on projects for HBO.

“The Wiz” opens this Friday at 8p.m. Performances are scheduled for July 11-12, 16-19, 23-26 and July 30-Aug. 2 at 8p.m.; July 13 and 20 at 2p.m. and 7:30p.m.; and July 27 and Aug. 3 at 2p.m.

Tickets for “The Wiz” are currently available by calling The Playhouse box office at (515) 277-6261.

Tickets range from $8-$19 with discounts offered through the Target Treatseats program. The Playhouse is located near the 42nd Street exit of I-235 in Des Moines.