The Wiyos, an alternative folk band of national and local renown, will perform live on stage with the dancers of Wichita State University in an original twist on a classic Kansas tale when the Wichita Contemporary Dance Theatre at WSU presents "The Wiyos of Oz."

Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 25-Saturday, March 27, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 28, in Wilner Auditorium. Tickets are $10, $8 and $6 through the College of Fine Arts Box Office, (316) 978-3233.

Patterned loosely on "The Wizard of Oz," "The Wiyos of Oz" is written and directed by C. Nicholas Johnson, director of dance for WSU.

Johnson lined up the Wiyos' appearance through a longtime friendship with band member Michael Farkas, who has studied mime with Johnson at the Johnson School of Mime. Fellow band members are Parrish Ellis, Teddy Weber and Joseph "joebass" DeJarnette. Their lively performance style -- complete with upright bass, banjo, acoustic and electric steel guitars, harmonica, alto horn and vocals – has delighted audiences and earned fans in the United States and the United Kingdom.

They also have a strong fan base in Kansas from three consecutive appearances at the annual Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield.

For "The Wiyos of Oz," Johnson said the band will be on campus for several days before the show rehearsing and also interacting with School of Performing Arts dance and music classes.

Johnson also collaborated with the WSU Media Resource Center, directing a film that uses Wichita as a backdrop for Dorothy's new journey.

It's the kind of production that fleshed out as it went along, said Johnson. It's also the kind of multimedia experience that Johnson's writing and direction of the jazzy "Cinderella" brought to audiences in 2004.

"I think I have a fascination for rewriting familiar stories," said Johnson.

He also wanted to do something uniquely Kansas, Johnson said, and nothing seemed better than the heartland story of "The Wizard of Oz." Even better, 2009 was the 70th anniversary of its movie debut.

In "The Wiyos of Oz," the story describes Dorothy's transition from young girl to woman, a philosophical journey about self-discovery, dream and the subconscious. The characters in the performance appear both on stage and on film, transitioning back and forth from one to the other in "a magical display of creative choreography," said Johnson.

Dancers share the stage with the Wiyos as they present original songs from their album "Broken Land Bell" and a selection of their new works.

The Wiyos' music has been described as vaudevillian ragtime, jugband blues and hillbilly swing. 

"What the Wiyos did was throw us out of our safe zone," said Johnson. "The dancers have fallen in love with the music and choreographing it."

Special appearances by community members are planned, including casting Ann Garvey as the Wicked Witch of the Midwest and Zoe Johnson as the Midwest Witch's Apprentice. And Dorothy meets up with other Wichita  and WSU dignitaries along her way. 

"They're all teaching her dance," said Johnson. "Going home for her is a process of self-discovery and being home is a process of self-discovery."

Choreography is by Denise Celestin, Sabrina Vasquez and Johnson. Light design is by AJ Kellison; set design by David Neville; costume design by Renea Goforth. Film direction is by Johnson, with Lonny Quattlebaum as director of photography. Additional set and props are by Jason Flanders and D. Williams.

The cast includes Lyndsey Barnett as Dorothy and Maurice Sims as Oz. The Scarecrow is portrayed by Elizabeth Pomeroy; the Lion by Heather Warren; Tin Man by Keli Carey; Dark Witch by Bethany Fiscus; Light Witch by Stefanie Cunningham; People of Oz by everyone in the company.

It's a fun show for all ages, said Johnson, and a wonderful showcase for the dancers, the MRC and, of course, the Wiyos.

For more information about the Wiyos or to listen to their music, go to http://thewiyos.com/fr_index.cfm.