Last night, the revival of *The Wiz* at the Marquis Theatre celebrated its 100th performance on Broadway. The milestone was marked with a joyous celebration by the cast and crew, who have brought this iconic musical back to life with a fresh and vibrant energy.
In the 2023-24 season, *The Wiz* embarked on a pre-Broadway tour, playing to 13 sold-out cities across America. The tour included 167 performances and was seen by more than 390,000 enthusiastic fans from coast to coast. Following its Broadway run, which concludes on August 18, *The Wiz* will once again hit the road for a second North American tour starting in February 2025.
This revival of *The Wiz* offers a groundbreaking twist on the classic *The Wizard of Oz*. The production is known for its iconic score, which blends soul, gospel, rock, and 70s funk, and its compelling story of Dorothy’s journey to find her place in a contemporary world. The show features a dynamic infusion of ballet, jazz, and modern pop, bringing a whole new groove to the timeless tale.
The Broadway cast includes Nichelle Lewis as Dorothy, Alan Mingo, Jr. as The Wiz, Deborah Cox as Glinda, and Melody A. Betts as Aunt Em and Evillene. Other notable cast members include Kyle Ramar Freeman as the Lion, Phillip Johnson Richardson as the Tinman, and Avery Wilson as the Scarecrow. The ensemble features a talented group of performers, including Lauryn Adams, Shayla Caldwell, Jay Copeland, Allyson Kaye Daniel, Judith Franklin, Michael Samarie George, Nadja Hayes, Treston J. Henderson, Destini Hendricks, Collin Heyward, Olivia Jackson, Christina Jones, Polanco Jones, Jr., Kolby Kindle, Mariah Lyttle, Kareem Marsh, Anthony Murphy, Dustin Praylow, Allysa Shorte, Avilon Trust Tate, Keenan D. Washington, and Timothy Wilson.
The creative team behind this revival is equally impressive. The book is by William F. Brown, with a Tony Award-winning score by Charlie Smalls and others. The production is directed by Schele Williams, known for her work on *The Notebook* and the revival of Disney’s *Aida*. Award-winning choreographer JaQuel Knight, famous for Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” and *Black is King*, brings his unique vision to the choreography. Additional material is provided by Tony-nominated and Emmy-nominated writer and TV host Amber Ruffin.
The music supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements are handled by Joseph Joubert, with vocal arrangements by Allen René Louis. Emmy Award-winning music director and Grammy Award-winning writer Adam Blackstone, along with Terence Vaughn, are responsible for the dance music arrangements. Paul Byssainthe Jr. serves as the music director.
The design team includes some of the industry’s best talents. Scenic design is by Academy Award-winning Hannah Beachler, known for her work on *Black Panther* and Beyoncé’s *Black is King* and *Lemonade*. Costume design is by Emmy Award-winning and two-time Academy Award-nominated Sharen Davis, who worked on *Ray* and *Dreamgirls*. Lighting design is by Barrymore Award-winning Ryan J. O’Gara, sound design by Jon Weston, video and projection design by Daniel Brodie, hair and wig design by Charles LaPointe, and make-up design by Kirk Cambridge-Del Pesche.
The production also features the song “Everybody Rejoice” with music and lyrics by Luther Vandross, and the “Emerald City Ballet” with music by Timothy Graphenreed. *The Wiz* is produced on Broadway by Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Brian Anthony Moreland, Ambassador Theatre Group, Kandi Burruss, and Todd Tucker.
Based on L. Frank Baum’s children’s book, *The Wonderful Wizard of Oz*, *The Wiz* transforms one of the world’s most enduring American fantasies into an all-Black musical extravaganza. The original production premiered on Broadway in 1975 and became an instant sensation, winning seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Ted Ross), Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Dee Dee Bridgewater), Best Choreography (George Faison), and in a Broadway first, Best Direction of a Musical and Best Costume Design (Geoffrey Holder). The show’s breakout single, “Ease on Down the Road,” and the classic song “Home” have since become iconic.
The original production ran for four years, first at The Majestic Theatre and later at The Broadway Theatre, with a total of 1,672 performances. A 1978 film adaptation starred Diana Ross, Ted Ross, Mabel King, Richard Pryor, and Lena Horne, and marked Quincy Jones’ first collaboration with Michael Jackson.
The current revival of *The Wiz* opened on April 17 at the Marquis Theatre after its successful pre-Broadway tour. The production is scheduled to continue through August 18 before embarking on its second North American tour. The cast and crew’s celebration of their 100th performance is a testament to the enduring appeal and cultural significance of this beloved musical.
Source: Tricia Baron, Jeremy Daniel
