The Wiz 1975 - Articles Page 12

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 12

Masterworks Chorale to Open Twelfth Concert Season With Selections from LES MISERABLES, THE WIZ, and More
by Sally Henry Fuller - Aug 30, 2015


Masterworks Chorale opens its twelfth concert season on September 27, 3:00 pm, at the Centre for the Performing and Visual Arts. Artistic Director Kathy Bizarth has returned to lead these dedicated singers who, with Accompanist David Kinrade, share their talents and skills with our community in schools and churches.

Uzo Aduba Talks Casting in NBC's THE WIZ LIVE: 'Anything Is Possible'
by Caryn Robbins - Aug 28, 2015


Best known for her Emmy-winning portrayal of Suzanne 'Crazy Eyes' Warren on the hit Netflix series 'Orange Is the New Black,' actress Uzo Aduba (Broadway's GODSPELL) stopped by this morning's TODAY to share that she couldn't believe it when she got the call to play Glinda the Good

STAGE TUBE: David Alan Grier Talks 'Whole New Vision of the Lion' in New Promo for THE WIZ LIVE!
by Stage Tube - Aug 27, 2015


NBC's THE WIZ LIVE! just released a brand-new promo for the highly anticipated holiday production, featuring David Alan Grier talking about his daughter's reaction to him playing 'The Lion' - hear what he had to say below!

Photo Flash: Phylicia Rashad, Andre De Shields & More Original Cast Members from THE WIZ Reunite in Central Park!
by Tyler Peterson - Aug 13, 2015


Several original cast members from the iconic Broadway premiere production of THE WIZ convened last night in honor of the show's 40th anniversary in a series of special performances. Phylicia Rashad, Andre De Shields, Dee Dee Bridgewater and more will joined to celebrate the musical in Central Park and Marcus Garvey Park with a series of special outdoor celebrations featuring song, story and dance titled THE WIZ: A CELEBRATION IN DANCE & MUSIC. Check out photos below!

Phylicia Rashad, Andre De Shields & More Original Cast Reunite for THE WIZ in Central Park Today
by Pat Cerasaro - Aug 12, 2015


Ease on down to Central Park this week!

Breaking: It's Coming Together in Oz: Ne-Yo, Common Join Cast of NBC's THE WIZ LIVE!
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 13, 2015


BroadwayWorld has just learned that Ne-Yo and Common have joined the cast, of NBC's highly-anticipated THE WIZ LIVE!. Ne-Yo will take on the role of the Tin Man, while Common portrays the gatekeeper of Oz, a non-sining role

WAKE UP with BWW 8/12/2015 - THE WIZ Reunites in Central Park and More!
by Jessica Khan - Aug 12, 2015


Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: Ease on down the road to Central Park for a WIZ reunion!

Breaking News: Billy Porter, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and More Join Audra McDonald in Musical Revival SHUFFLE ALONG
by Sally Henry Fuller - Aug 9, 2015


Next spring, Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Billy Porter, Brandon Victor Dixon, and Joshua Henry will star in SHUFFLE ALONG Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed, a striking new production that presents both the 1921 musical itself, and additionally details the events that catalyzed the songwriting team of Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake, and librettists F.E. Miller and Aubrey Lyles to create this ground-breaking work.

Breaking News: NBC's THE WIZ LIVE Casts Its Cowardly Lion!
by TV News Desk - Aug 4, 2015


Tony Award nominee and multi-talented actor and singer David Alan Grier is joining NBC's highly anticipated holiday production of 'The Wiz Live!,' set for Thursday, Dec. 3.

NBC's THE WIZ LIVE Finds Its Dorothy; Find Out Who It Is Tomorrow on the TODAY SHOW!
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 4, 2015


NBC's The Wiz Live has found it's Dorothy! According to the show's official Facebook page, the announcement will be made tomorrow, August 5. They write: 'Who will play Dorothy in #TheWizLive? Find out tomorrow on the Today Show at 8:15am ET on NBC. We can't wait to share the news with you!'

She'll Ease on Down the Road! Shanice Williams Will Play Dorothy in NBC's THE WIZ LIVE; Watch Audition!
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 5, 2015


NBC's The Wiz Live has found it's Dorothy! BroadwayWorld has just learned that Shanice Williams has joined the cast

THEATRICAL THROWBACK THURSDAY: THE WIZ Eases On Down Many Magical Roads For 40 Years
by Pat Cerasaro - Jul 30, 2015


In acknowledgement of the many exciting news items this week pertaining to THE WIZ, it is the topic of today's tribute.

She Can't Stop the Beat! Watch THE WIZ's Queen Latifah's Musical Performance Highlights
by Caryn Robbins - Jul 29, 2015


Grammy and Golden Globe-winner Queen Latifah has joined the cast of NBC's highly-anticipated musical, THE WIZ LIVE! in the role of the Wiz

Phylicia Rashad, Andre De Shields & More Original Cast Reunite For THE WIZ In Central Park, 8/12
by Pat Cerasaro - Jul 27, 2015


Ease on down to Central Park this August!

Breaking News: Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige Will Ease on Down the Road in NBC's THE WIZ LIVE!
by Tyler Peterson - Jul 28, 2015


BroadwayWorld has confirmed that Queen Latifah and Mary J. Blige have joined the cast of NBC's highly-anticipated THE WIZ LIVE! Latifah will play the Wiz, and Blige will be the Wicked Witch of the West. 

Fill Those Ruby Slippers! NBC to Hold L.A. Casting Call for Role of 'Dorothy' in THE WIZ LIVE
by Jessica Showers - Jul 13, 2015


NBC is having an open casting call for the lead role of Dorothy in the network's upcoming holiday special "The Wiz Live!," set for Thursday, Dec. 3.

BWW Interview: Playwright Rory Sheriff, 'Be A Lion'
by Vickie Evans - Jun 17, 2015


Playwright Rory Sheriff penned the stage play, 'Be A Lion', a delightful spinoff to the Broadway musical and film, 'The Wiz', an adaptation of the television classic, 'The Wizard of Oz'.

Regional Roundup: Top 10 Stories This Week Around the Broadway World - 6/19; MY FAIR LADY at the Muny, ON YOUR FEET! and More!
by BWW Special Coverage - Jun 19, 2015


This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Maine, Chicago, Italy, and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include FAME at Maine State Music Theatre, a 'risky' FUNNY GIRL in Italy, and full coverage of Gloria Estafan's Broadway-bound ON YOUR FEET!, just to name a few.

Who Will Win the 2015 Tony Awards? We Compare Year By Year!
by BWW Special Coverage - Jun 6, 2015


The 69th Annual Tony Awards are this Sunday June 7th at 8/9c hosted by Kristin Chenoweth and Alan Cumming. It's the biggest award show of the Broadway season and it closes out a long award season for Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals and plays. We can't help but wonder what chances this year's Best Musical and Best Play nominees have of taking home the ultimate prize. 

NBC Announces Casting Call for Role of 'Dorothy' in THE WIZ LIVE
by Caryn Robbins - May 28, 2015


NBC is having an open casting call for the lead role of Dorothy in the network's upcoming holiday special “The Wiz Live!,” set for Thursday, Dec. 3.

Top Stories You Missed on BWW This Weekend - 5/23-5/24/2015
by - May 24, 2015


Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, May 24, 2015 - Sunday, May 24, 2015.

STAGE TUBE: On This Day for 5/24/15- THE WIZ
by Nicole Rosky - May 24, 2015


Today 1985, the first Broadway revival of The Wiz opened at the Lunt-Fontanne THeatre, where it ran for 13 performances. The Wiz is a musical with music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls and book by William F. Brown. It is a retelling of L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in the context of African American culture. It opened on October 21, 1974 at the Morris A. Mechanic Theatre in Baltimore, Maryland and moved to the Majestic Theatre. The 1975 Broadway production won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

NBC to Host Open Call for 'Dorothy' in THE WIZ LIVE!
by Tyler Peterson - May 19, 2015


BWW has confirmed today that NBC will host an open casting call for 'Dorothy' in THE WIZ LIVE in NYC next month.

Bayou City Theatrics Stages THE WIZ, Now thru 5/31
by BWW News Desk - May 15, 2015


The Wiz, based on L. Frank Baum's book 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,' is one of the most riveting incarnations of this classic tale ever created.

SOUND OFF Special Edition: 10 Oz-Tastic Casting Suggestions For THE WIZ LIVE!
by Pat Cerasaro - May 13, 2015


In honor of this week's big casting coup coming in the form of original Dorothy Stephanie Mills joining the cast of NBC's live musical presentation of THE WIZ later this year, titled THE WIZ LIVE!, today we are posing some possible casting suggestions that line up with the thoughtful and affectionate choice of Mills as Auntie Em by taking a look at some of the other original leads and stars associated with the property who could be perfect fits for the live telecast as well as some familiar faces who would be ideally cast in the Oz-centric musical spectacular. Tony Award-winning Broadway divas to Hollywood superstars and beyond, this list has more potential than munchkins in Oz!

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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