Universal CityWalk to Celebrate Michael Jackson's Life With Free Wiz Screening

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By Brian Scott Lipton • Jul 6, 2009 • Los Angeles

Michael Jackson in The Wiz
(© Universal Home Entertainment)

Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles will play tribute to the late Michael Jackson's life and music beginning at 7pm on Thursday, July 9 as part of its "Summer Block Party" series.

The free event will include screenings of the film The Wiz and the 14-minute video Michael Jackson's Thriller plus a "live" dance retrospective of Michael Jackson's phenomenal musical history, from his days as the youngest sibling in The Jackson Five to his history-making solo career as the world's most renowned pop music star.

Jackson played the Scarecrow in The Wiz, an updated musical version of The Wizard of Oz that first played on Broadway in 1975 and was just revived by New York City Center Encores!. The film, which was directed by Sidney Lumet, also stars Diana Ross as Dorothy, Nipsey Russell as Tinman, Ted Ross as Lion, Lena Horne as Glinda, Mabel King as Evilene, and Richard Pryor as The Wiz.

For more information, call 818-622-1111 or visit www.CityWalkHollywood.com.