Seems Houston is really anxious to "ease on down the road" with The Wiz; the Ensemble Theatre has just added two more weeks of performances to its already extended run. Under the direction of director/choreographer Patdro Harris and musical director Carlton Leake, The Wiz was the first Ensemble production to ever completely sell out its run before opening night. That prompted Ensemble Theatre's artistic director Eileen Morris to extend the run to July 26. Tickets for the extended run sold out in a day and a half.

Now two more weekends in August have been added (August 20 to 30) to the show's schedule. (If you can't get tickets to the show, don't worry -- there are two free performances scheduled for August 15 and 16 at Miller Outdoor Theatre.)

August will be really busy for the Ensemble. On August 7 and 8, the company will be performing Sty of the Blind Pig at the National Black Theatre Festival in North Carolina (one of only a handful of troupes to perform more than once during the six-day event). And on August 14, the group has its annual black-tie gala. (We're guessing it's going to be a very happy, happy gala.) For information, visit www.ensemblehouston.com.