Kyle Ramar Freeman as Lion, Avery Wilson as Scarecrow, Nichelle Lewis as Dorothy, and Phillip Johnson Richardson as Tinman. Photo by Jeremy Daniel, (c) 2023
50 years after its first run, The Wiz’s return has ignited a firestorm of fans to “ease on down the road” to catch the latest iteration.
Based on L. Frank Baum’s children’s book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Wiz takes one of the world’s most enduring white American fantasies and transforms it into an all-Black musical extravaganza for the ages.
When Stephanie Mills, then 16 years old, thought of home, she did not envision a place where The Wiz would become a phenomenal moment then and now. Considering that the first Broadway run, where Mills played the title role of Dorothy, almost closed the same night the show opened, having another stellar moment in 2024 has shown the longevity of Black talent and Black music, with seven Tony Awards to prove it.
With the 1978 movie musical, which starred the late Michael Jackson and the legendary Diana Ross, and countless high school musicals across the country, The Wiz has been able to dazzle its way across generations.
Now with an all-star cast led by Nichelle Lewis as Dorothy, Wayne Brady as The Wiz, Deborah Cox as Glinda, and Avery Wilson as Scarecrow, The Wiz is ready to introduce a new audience to iconic scores packed with soul, gospel, rock and 70s funk to the tale of Dorothy’s journey to find her place in a contemporary world.
From the moment the curtains open, you can feel the excitement around the room. The cast did not miss a step on the yellow brick road, and those in the audience fought the urge throughout the show to join in and dance along.
The Behind-the-scenes talent of the hit musical shines just as bright as the stars on stage. The show returns with an updated script penned by comedian and writer Amber Ruffin ( The Amber Ruffin Show, Broadway’s Some Like It Hot), direction from Schele Williams ( Motown: The Musical), choreography by JaQuel Knight (Beyoncé’s Single Ladies) and set design by Oscar winner Hannah Beachler (Black Panther).
In an interview with The Wrap, producer of The Wiz, Grammy-award winner Kandi Burruss said that production “knew from the jump that [they] were going to be under a microscope from our community, from the culture, about who did these roles because these roles are iconic.” Burruss pointed out that she didn’t “want nobody” questioning who was up onstage. “We made sure everybody in this show could sing down!” she added.
Brady’s version of The Wiz is just as alluring as he is in real life. Bringing a sense of an engaged personality that will make you laugh and at the same time wonder if he likes you or if he is just doing his job to make you feel seen. Cox brings her powerful voice to Glinda, belting out note after note as only a diva can. And Lewis’ Dorthy will make the originator, Mills, proud to have her take on that mental.
With show-stopping numbers and an ensemble that knows how to have a good time, The Wiz‘s legacy lives on.
The show is only on a limited engagement. Make sure to get tickets before time runs out.
