The Wiz 1975 - Articles Page 2

Ages: 8+
Opened: January 5, 1975
Closing: January 28, 1979

The Wiz - 1975 - Broadway History , Info & More

Majestic Theatre (Broadway)
245 West 44th St. New York, NY

based on the novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

It’s got rock. It’s got gospel. It’s got soul. And oh my, the dancing! In a dream collaboration, Dallas Theater Center and Dallas Black Dance Theatre, the city’s oldest continuously operating dance company, fill the Wyly Theatre with dancing, singing and laughter for the dazzling musical that won seven Tony Awards when it opened on Broadway in 1975. Featuring Brierley Resident Acting Company members Liz Mikel and Hassan El-Amin, this eye-popping, high-energy family hit starts with a tornado and keeps lifting from there, as Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion “Ease on Down the Road” and ultimately learn there’s no place like home.

The Wiz - 1975 - Broadway Cast

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The Wiz - 1975 - Broadway Articles Page 2

Common and MC Lyte Join the Producing Team For THE WIZ
by Stephi Wild - Sep 12, 2023


Academy Award®, Grammy Award® and Emmy Award®-winning artist, actor, author and activist Common and hip-hop pioneer, actor, philanthropist, and business mogul MC Lyte will join the co-producing team of the all-new production of The Wiz. Learn more about The Wiz and how to get tickets here!

THE WIZ to Stop at Playhouse Square Ahead of its Return to Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 30, 2023


Get ready for a limited engagement of The Wiz at Playhouse Square this October. Catch the Broadway classic before its highly anticipated return. Don't miss this sensational show as it brings the magic of Oz to life.

Newcomer Nichelle Lewis Will Lead THE WIZ as Dorothy on Broadway and National Tour
by Stephi Wild - Aug 14, 2023


Broadway newcomer Nichelle Lewis will star as “Dorothy” and lead the cast of The Wiz in the national tour this fall and Broadway return in the Spring of 2024.  Ms. Lewis who hails from Virginia was discovered via a TikTok video, and selected from more than 2,000 submissions for the coveted role.

Ensemble Cast Revealed For THE WIZ Ahead of National Tour and Broadway Run
by Stephi Wild - Aug 2, 2023


The complete ensemble cast has been announced for the all-new production of the Tony Award-winning musical The Wiz! The casting comes in advance of the musical's national tour, which kicks off this fall before returning to Broadway in the Spring of 2024.

Cast & Creative Team Announced For York Theatre Company's Musicals In Mufti Presentation Of HOW TO STEAL AN ELECTION
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 1, 2023


The York Theatre Company, has announced the cast and creative team for its first Musicals in Mufti offering of 2023: How to Steal an Election: A Dirty Politics Musical, with music and lyrics by Oscar Brand and book by William F. Brown.

Irvine Barclay Theatre Reveals Upcoming Season
by Stephi Wild - Aug 1, 2023


Irvine Barclay Theatre has announced more shows for its 2023-24 season. One of the most popular performing arts venues in Orange County, Irvine Barclay Theatre presents renowned artists in a wide range of genres, from jazz, classical, country, Motown, and global music, to comedy, dance, theater, captivating speakers, and more.

GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY and THE WIZ Tickets On Sale Friday At Playhouse Square
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 26, 2023


Playhouse Square has announced that tickets to the touring Broadway musicals The Wiz and Girl From The North Country will be available for purchase beginning Friday, July 28. These two shows will kick off the 2023-2024 KeyBank Broadway Series at Playhouse Square with performances beginning this October.

The York Theatre Company to Present the Return of the MUSICALS IN MUFTI Series
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 17, 2023


Discover the magic of The York Theatre Company's Musicals in Mufti series, where celebrated musicals are brought to life in an intimate and stripped-down format. Immerse yourself in the timeless melodies and captivating stories of classic musical theater. Don't miss the highly anticipated return of this acclaimed series.

THE WIZ JR. Comes to Tulsa PAC This Month
by Stephi Wild - Jul 5, 2023


 World Stage Theatre Company presents The Wiz Jr by William F. Brown and Charlie Smalls with additional material by Tina Tippit.

Tickets For THE WIZ Pre-Broadway National Tour in Baltimore Go On Sale Today
by Stephi Wild - Jun 20, 2023


Individual tickets for THE WIZ in Baltimore are on sale now! THE WIZ makes its return to Baltimore at the Hippodrome Theatre September 23 – September 30, 2023. Ticket prices start at $57.00.

Deborah Cox and Melody A. Betts Join THE WIZ on Broadway and Tour
by Stephi Wild - Jun 13, 2023


Additional casting has been announced for The Wiz, coming to Broadway next year following a national tour. Award-winning recording artist Deborah Cox will take on the role of Glinda with Melody A. Betts as Aunt Em and Evillene.

Wayne Brady and Alan Mingo Jr. Will Lead THE WIZ on Broadway and Tour
by Stephi Wild - Jun 7, 2023


Emmy winner and Grammy Award nominee Wayne Brady (Hamilton, Whose Line Is it Anyway?) and Alan Mingo Jr. (Kinky Boots, Doom Patrol) will lead the production as the Wiz in the all-new production of the groundbreaking, Tony Award-winning hit musical The Wiz. Learn more about the show and how to get tickets here!

Who Will Win at the 2023 Tony Awards?
by Team BWW - Jun 9, 2023


Which Best Musical and Best Play nominees will take home the ultimate prize at the 2023 Tony Awards? We're breaking it down.

Kyle Ramar Freeman, Phillip Johnson Richardson & Avery Wilson Join THE WIZ Cast
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 1, 2023


Casting has been revealed for the beloved roles of the Lion, Tinman and Scarecrow in the all-new production of The Wiz, in advance of its Broadway return in the Spring of 2024. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Kandi Burruss & Todd Tucker Join THE WIZ Producing Team
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 25, 2023


Kandi Burruss, the Tony Award® and Emmy Award®-nominated, and Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, actress, entrepreneur, alongside Todd Tucker, will join the producing team for an all-new production of The Wiz. 

THE WIZ Sets Complete National Tour Route With Stops in Chicago, Los Angeles & More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 8, 2023


The complete coast-to-coast tour route for the all-new production of The Wiz has been announced, in advance of its Broadway return in the Spring of 2024.

John Turturro, André De Shields & More to be Featured in LIVE FROM MOUNT OLYMPUS Podcast
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 11, 2023


The Onassis Foundation and PRX has announced a new season of Live from Mount Olympus, created in partnership with the Brooklyn-based theater collective The TEAM and premiering April 18.

Solea Pfeiffer & More Join Ato Blankson-Wood Led HAMLET at Free Shakespeare in the Park
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 28, 2023


The Public Theater announced additional casting for the Free Shakespeare in the Park production of Shakespeare’s HAMLET, directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon. See who is starring, performance dates & more!

Video: Stephanie Mills & Jennifer Hudson Sing 'Home' From THE WIZ on THE JENNIFER HUDSON SHOW
by Michael Major - Mar 17, 2023


Stephanie Mills appeared on The Jennifer Hudson Show, performing “Home” with Hudson and 'Be A Lion' from The Wiz. Stephanie Mills originated the role of Dorothy in the original 1975 Broadway production of The Wiz. She later returned to The Wiz to play Aunt Em in the 2015 live production on NBC. Watch the videos now!

Photos: André De Shields Reprises his Role of The Wiz at Ode to Black Broadway with the Brooklyn Nets
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 3, 2023


See photos of Tony Award winner André De Shields reprising his role as The Wiz at the Brooklyn Nets vs. Milwaukee Bucs game at Barclays Center, Brooklyn.

Paris Bennett, DeQuina Moore, And Jaden Dominique To Lead Fulton Theatre's THE WIZ
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 13, 2023


Fulton Theatre announces casting for their upcoming production of The Wiz. Leading the company is Jaden Dominique as Dorothy, Paris Bennett (American Idol Season 5) as Addaperle/Evillene, and DeQuina Moore (original Broadway: Little Shop of Horrors, Chiffon; Legally Blonde, Pilar) as Aunt Em/Glinda. Nationally renowned actor and director E Faye Butler will direct the production alongside award-winning choreographer, Kenny Ingram (EmojiLand).

Designers Behind BLACK PANTHER and More Join THE WIZ; Full Design Team Announced!
by Stephi Wild - Jan 31, 2023


The design team has been announced for the all-new production of the groundbreaking, Tony Award-winning musical The Wiz. The Wiz will launch a national tour in Fall of 2023 in Baltimore, MD before returning to Broadway for a limited engagement in the 2023/24 season. Learn more about the team and the production here!

Ato Blankson-Wood Will Lead HAMLET in The Public Theater's 61st Season of Free Shakespeare in the Park
by Nicole Rosky - Jan 12, 2023


The 61st season of Free Shakespeare in the Park at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park will feature the classic drama HAMLET, directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon and featuring Tony Award nominee Ato Blankson-Wood (Slave Play, Public Works’ As You Like It) in the title role.

Video: THE WIZ Celebrates 48th Anniversary- Watch Original Stars Reunite!
by Nicole Rosky - Jan 5, 2023


BroadwayWorld is celebrating 48 years of The Wiz with a very special flashback to BroadwayWorld's 2014 concert, BWW Visits Oz, at which stars of the original production reunited onstage at Joe's Pub. Watch below as André De Shields, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ken Page and special guest Olivia Elease Hardy (Kimberly Akimbo) perform songs from the show!

FANNIE: THE MUSIC AND LIFE OF FANNIE LOU HAMER to Have Pittsburgh Premiere in January
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 2, 2022


The August Wilson African American Cultural Center, City Theatre Company, and DEMASKUS Theater Collective will co-present the story of voting-rights icon Fannie Lou Hamer in the Pittsburgh premiere of FANNIE: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer by Cheryl L. West.

Other Productions of The Wiz

1975   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
1976   US Tour 1st National Tour
US Tour
1978   US Tour 2nd National Tour
US Tour
1980   Regional Revival
1984   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1984   West End London Revival
West End
1993   Off-Broadway Off-Broadway Revival
Off-Broadway
1997   US Tour Touring Revival
US Tour
2006   San Diego, CA (Regional) La Jolla Revival
San Diego, CA (Regional)
2015   New York NBC Live Television Production
New York
2018   St. Louis, MO (Regional) Muny Revival
St. Louis, MO (Regional)
2023   US Tour US Tour
US Tour
2024   Broadway Broadway Revival Production
Broadway

The Wiz - 1975 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1975 Tony Awards Best Choreography George Faison
1975 Tony Awards Best Costume Design Geoffrey Holder
1975 Tony Awards Best Direction of a Musical Geoffrey Holder
1975 Tony Awards Best Musical Ken Harper
1975 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical Ted Ross
1975 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical Dee Dee Bridgewater

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