The Wiz 1975 - Articles Page 16

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 16

Treat Williams, Luis Guzman, et al. Set for Sidney Lumet Memorial Screening, 7/24
by BWW News Desk - Jul 24, 2011


Following a heartfelt and entertaining memorial for Sidney Lumet at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall with speakers and performers including Lauren Bacall, Walter Bernstein, Bobby Cannavale, Glenn Close, Jonathan Demme, James Gandolfini, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jenny Lumet, David Mamet, Phylilis Newman and Christopher Walken among others, the Film Society of Lincoln Center has announced the details today for a retrospective of the admired and beloved director's work, Prince of the City: Remembering Sidney Lumet which will screen at the Walter Reade Theater July 19 - 25.

Photo Flash: Stephanie Mills Live in Philadelphia
by Lauren Wolman - Jul 16, 2011


Grammy Award Winner and star of stage and screen Stephanie Mills performed live at the Dell East Music Center in Philadelphia on July 14. BroadwayWorld brings you photo coverage or her performance below!

'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for July 13, 2011
by Paul W. Thompson - Jul 13, 2011


The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. A BroadwayWorld party tonight at The Call, a new 'Pinocchio,' 'Pinkalicious,' 'Aladdin,' that Blues Brothers show, 'The Wiz,' Midwest New Musicals, Part II, more....

Photo Flash: Theatre at the Center Opens THE WIZ!
by Nicole Rosky - Jul 11, 2011


The Broadway smash hit musical THE WIZ, with book by William F. Brown and music by Charlie Smalls, will blow audiences away July 7 through August 7, 2011 at Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. The production will open Sunday, July 10 at 7 p.m. Stacey Flaster will direct and choreograph. THE WIZ first opened on Broadway in 1975 and ran for four years (1600 performances). It made a historic footprint as the first large-scale big-budget musical featuring an all-African American cast. THE WIZ won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical and was produced in 1978 by Motown/Universal as a film starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Lena Horne, and Richard Pryor.

Photo Flash: Theatre at the Center Presents THE WIZ
by Lauren Wolman - Jul 8, 2011


The Broadway smash hit musical THE WIZ, with book by William F. Brown and music by Charlie Smalls, will blow audiences away July 7 through August 7, 2011 at Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. The production will open Sunday, July 10 at 7 p.m. Stacey Flaster will direct and choreograph. THE WIZ first opened on Broadway in 1975 and ran for four years (1600 performances). It made a historic footprint as the first large-scale big-budget musical featuring an all-African American cast. THE WIZ won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical and was produced in 1978 by Motown/Universal as a film starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Lena Horne, and Richard Pryor.

Dallas Theater Center Presents THE WIZ, Opens Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Jul 8, 2011


Dallas Theater Center proudly presents The Wiz at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre at the AT&T Performing Arts Center July 8 - August 7. Dallas Theater Center Artistic Director Kevin Moriarty will direct the first-ever collaboration between Dallas Theater Center and Dallas Black Dance Theatre.

Theatre At The Center Presents THE WIZ 7/7-8/7
by BWW News Desk - Jul 7, 2011


The Broadway smash hit musical THE WIZ, with book by William F. Brown and music by Charlie Smalls, will blow audiences away July 7 through August 7, 2011 at Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana.

Dallas Theater Center Presents THE WIZ, Opens July 8
by Kelsey Denette - Jul 1, 2011


Dallas Theater Center proudly presents The Wiz at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre at the AT&T Performing Arts Center July 8 - August 7. Dallas Theater Center Artistic Director Kevin Moriarty will direct the first-ever collaboration between Dallas Theater Center and Dallas Black Dance Theatre.

Treat Williams, Luis Guzman, et al. Set for Sidney Lumet Memorial Screening, 7/24
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 28, 2011


Following a heartfelt and entertaining memorial for Sidney Lumet at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall with speakers and performers including Lauren Bacall, Walter Bernstein, Bobby Cannavale, Glenn Close, Jonathan Demme, James Gandolfini, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jenny Lumet, David Mamet, Phylilis Newman and Christopher Walken among others, the Film Society of Lincoln Center has announced the details today for a retrospective of the admired and beloved director's work, Prince of the City: Remembering Sidney Lumet which will screen at the Walter Reade Theater July 19 - 25.

Theatre At The Center Presents THE WIZ 7/7-8/7
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jun 15, 2011


The Broadway smash hit musical THE WIZ, with book by William F. Brown and music by Charlie Smalls, will blow audiences away July 7 through August 7, 2011 at Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana.

Clarice Taylor Dies at 93
by Kelsey Denette - Jun 1, 2011


Clarice Taylor, the actress best known for her roles on television - among them 'The Cosby Show,' 'Sesame Street' and more - but also for her role in 1975's THE WIZ, passed away May 30th from heart failure. She was 93 years old.

'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for May 11th, 2011
by Paul W. Thompson - May 11, 2011


The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,' 'White Noise,' 'Porgy And Bess,' 'The Wiz,' 'Adrift In Macao,' 'Glee,' more.

Theatre At The Center Presents THE WIZ 7/7-8/7
by Gabrielle Sierra - May 10, 2011


The Broadway smash hit musical THE WIZ, with book by William F. Brown and music by Charlie Smalls, will blow audiences away July 7 through August 7, 2011 at Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana.

Jason Alexander, Gina Hecht Star in THE PRISONER OF SECOND AVENUE
by BWW News Desk - Apr 21, 2011


Producer Tom Brocato's Butterfield Road Productions has announced a special three-week engagement of the comedy The Prisoner of Second Avenue by Neil Simon, starring Jason Alexander and Gina Hecht.

New Productions of NEXT TO NORMAL, THE WIZ, & More Lead Arkansas Rep Season
by Kelsey Denette - Mar 15, 2011


Arkansas Repertory Theatre (The Rep), the state's largest professional nonprofit theatre, is proud to announce its 36th MainStage Season. The new season has been specially prepared for a newly renovated theatre, and will include new musicals and dramas, plus timeless classics to form a season that exemplifies The Rep's mission of producing diverse work of the highest artistic standards for its Arkansas audience.

Jason Alexander, Gina Hecht Star in THE PRISONER OF SECOND AVENUE
by Gabrielle Sierra - Mar 11, 2011


Producer Tom Brocato's Butterfield Road Productions has announced a special three-week engagement of the comedy The Prisoner of Second Avenue by Neil Simon, starring Jason Alexander and Gina Hecht.

New Cast Set for DANCING WITH THE STARS; Premieres 3/21
by Robert Diamond - Mar 1, 2011


A star-studded cast filled with celebrities across a variety of genres -- including a boxing legend, a talk-show personality, a Super Bowl Steeler, a former Playboy bunny and a legendary comedic actress - are set to compete each week on the dance floor in the spectacular two-hour season premiere of 'Dancing with the Stars,' MONDAY, MARCH 21 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Maine State Music Theatre Presents THE WIZ August 10-27
by Kassie Rivera - Feb 18, 2011


Once again, Maine State Music Theatre breaks new ground in Northern New England with a show that is rarely produced on a professional theatre stage and never before presented to an MSMT audience. The 2011 season ends with a bang, featuring an all-African American cast revving up theatregoers in THE WIZ, the retelling of Frank L. Baum's THE WIZARD OF OZ in a unique 70s style.

THE WIZ Soars Into the 4th Slot at MSMT
by Gabrielle Sierra - Feb 17, 2011


Once again, Maine State Music Theatre breaks new ground in Northern New England with a show that is rarely produced on a professional theatre stage and never before presented to an MSMT audience.

Photo Coverage: 60th Anniversary Party for the Actors' Equity Gypsy Robe
by Walter McBride - Oct 30, 2010


Actors Equity held a celebration for the 60th Anniversary of the Gypsy Robe on Monday night, October 25th at Sequoia on Pier 17 at the South Street Seaport where past gypsy robe winners came back to reminisce and to celebrate.

Theatre at the Center Announces 2010-11 Season
by Gabrielle Sierra - Sep 7, 2010


Coming off of a streak of some of the most successful seasons to date, Theatre at the Center Artistic Director William Pullinsi, announces their 2011 season.

Winston-Salem Arts Council Announces All-Star Line-up for Town Hall Meeting
by Gabrielle Sierra - Aug 23, 2010


The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County today announced an all-star line-up for its upcoming Town Hall Meeting titled, 'Art Works: The Impact of Arts and Culture on Communities,' with the Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts, Rocco Landesman.

BWW Interviews: Andre De Shields
by Joseph F. Panarello - Aug 18, 2010


The production of DAMN YANKEES playing at the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport (LI), New York is a solid one. There are fine performances, inventive staging, colorful costumes and a jaunty score. However something very magical takes place half way through the second act: it is at this point that Broadway veteran André De Shields, who plays Mr. Applegate, sits in a chair, crosses his legs and launches into the song 'Those Were The Good Old Days'. It is the moment when the show is elevated into something extremely grand and memorable.

InnateVolution's FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE Closes 6/26
by BWW News Desk - Jun 26, 2010


InnateVolution Theater Productions Artistic Director Toma Tavares Langston and choreographer Shawn Quinlan stage Ntozake Shange's 1975 choreopoem, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf.

InnateVolution Sets Details For FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE
by BWW News Desk - Jun 14, 2010


InnateVolution Theater Productions Artistic Director Toma Tavares Langston and choreographer Shawn Quinlan stage Ntozake Shange's 1975 choreopoem, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf.

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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