The Wiz 1975 - Articles Page 14

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 14

Unicorn Theatre to Present HANDS ON A HARDBODY, 9/3-28
by BWW News Desk - Aug 19, 2014


Hands on a Hardbody is a new rock musical about 10 Texans whose new lease on life is so close they can touch it. Under a scorching sun for days on end and armed with nothing but hope and ambition, they'll fight to keep at least one hand on a brand-new truck in order to win it. In this hard-fought contest, only one winner can drive away with the American dream.

THE WIZ Screens Tonight at St. Nicholas Park as Part of Harlem Week Festivities
by Movies News Desk - Aug 16, 2014


This year marks the 40th anniversary of the stage play, The Wiz. Join ImageNation, Harlem Week, Harlem Pride and Global Network of Black Pride as they celebrate this cultural milestone with a screening of the celebrated film adaptation of the award-winning play.

Lena Dunham, Chaz Ebert, Renee Fleming, Wallace Shawn and More Set for Chicago Humanities Festival's 25th Anniversary Lineup
by BWW News Desk - Aug 12, 2014


The Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) announced today the complete schedule for the 25th Anniversary Fall Festival, 112 events which will explore the theme of Journeys, Oct. 25-Nov. 9, 2014, with pre-Festival programs on Oct. 6 and 21, at venues across Chicago.

THE SUNSHINE BOYS to Run 6/19-29 at CT Rep
by Tyler Peterson - Jun 12, 2014


THE SUNSHINE BOYS by Neil Simon, the second show of its three-show Summer Nutmeg Summer Series at Connecticut Repertory Theatre is onstage June 19-29 in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theater, Storrs. The Neil Simon penned comedy is led by Broadway and Television veterans Jerry Adler as Willie Clark and Richard Kline as Al Lewis.

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 5/24- THE WIZ
by Nicole Rosky - May 24, 2014


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.

VIDEO: The 1975 Perform 'Chocolate' at 2014 mtvU Woodie Awards
by Caryn Robbins - Mar 17, 2014


The 1975 performed their hit song 'Chocolate' last night at the 2014 mtvU Woodie Awards. Check it out below!

DRAKE Wins MTVu's 'Woodie of the Year' Award
by Danielle DeSisto - Mar 14, 2014


mtvU, MTV's 24-hour college network, tonight named Drake, The 1975, Chance the Rapper, Ed Sheeran, Beyoncé, A$AP Rocky and Skrillex, as well as 90.3 FM WESS Radio from East Stroudsburg University winners of the “2014 mtvU Woodie Awards,” honoring the music college students love.

DIVERGENT Stars Shailene Woodley & Theo James to Share Clip on 2014 mtvU Woodie Awards
by Caryn Robbins - Mar 11, 2014


mtvU, MTV's 24-hour college network, today announced that Shailene Woodley and Theo James, the stars of Summit Entertainment's new action adventure film 'Divergent,' will screen an exclusive clip from the movie at the '2014 mtvU Woodie Awards,'

Breaking News: Lin-Manuel Miranda & Karen Olivo to Star in tick, tick...BOOM! for Encores! FAUST and PUMP BOYS Announced
by Robert Diamond - Mar 9, 2014


This just in! New York City Center's acclaimed Encores! Off-Center series, under the artistic direction of Jeanine Tesori, will return this summer for a second season of landmark Off-Broadway musicals. The season opens with Jonathan Larson's tick, tick… BOOM!, June 25 - 28, starring Lin-Manuel Miranda and Karen Olivo, directed by Oliver Butler, and continues with a one-night only performance of Randy Newman'sFaust: The Concert, with Randy Newman as the Devil, directed by Thomas Kail, on July 1. Pump Boys and Dinettes, withbook, music and lyrics by John Foley, Mark Hardwick, Debra Monk, Cass Morgan, John Schimmel and Jim Wann , directed by Lear deBessonet and choreographed by Danny Mefford, wraps up the season, running July 16 - 19. Chris Fenwick is the Encores! Off-Center music director.

Official: HAMILTON, Written by and Starring Lin-Manuel Miranda, Set for Public Theater's 2014-15 Season
by Tyler Peterson - Mar 6, 2014


As first reported by BWW yesterday, HAMILTON, written by the Tony and Grammy Award-winning composer and lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda, will have its world premiere next January as part of The Public's 2014-15 season at Astor Place. Directed by his In The Heights collaborator Thomas Kail, this new musical features Miranda playing Alexander Hamilton, one of our country's Founding Fathers and the first Secretary of the Treasury. Tax-deductible Public Theater Memberships are available now and guarantee early access to tickets.

Iggy Azalea to Perform at 2014 mtvU WOODIE AWARDS, 3/13
by Caryn Robbins - Mar 4, 2014


mtvU, MTV's 24-hour college network, today announced that 2014 'Best Video Woodie' nominee Iggy Azalea will perform her hit 'Fancy' along with special guest Charli XCX

Kennedy Center Announces Lineup for WORLD STAGES: International Theater Festival 2014
by BWW News Desk - Feb 19, 2014


The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will host 22 theatrical offerings from 20 different countries during WORLD STAGES: International Theater Festival 2014 that will run for three weeks March 10-30, 2014 throughout the Center. The international festival features contemporary theater works offering 13 fully staged productions, 4 theater-focused installations, 3 readings of new works, and 2 forums. From Olivier and Tony Award-winning puppetry to innovative perspectives on old classics, a diverse showcase of theatrical expression will be represented by countries spanning the globe including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, England, France, Iceland, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Pakistan, Palestine, Scotland, South Africa, Sudan, Syria, and the United States.

A$AP Rocky, Imagine Dragons Among mtvU2014 WOODIE AWARDS Nominees; See Full List!
by Caryn Robbins - Feb 12, 2014


mtvU, MTV's 24-hour college network, today revealed the categories and nominees for the “2014 mtvU Woodie Awards,” the 10th annual musical moment of truth that honors the music college students love

SOUND OFF Special Edition: BroadwayWorld.com Visits Oz!
by Pat Cerasaro - Jan 24, 2014


Today we are taking a behind the scenes look at the incredible preparation and awesomely impressive final production celebrating BroadwayWorld's 10th anniversary: BROADWAYWORLD.COM VISITS OZ!

The Coterie to Present THE WIZ, 11/15-1/5
by Tyler Peterson - Nov 14, 2013


By popular demand, The Coterie returns to Oz with the Tony Award-winning musical The Wiz, a modern reimaging of L. Frank Baum's 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.' Directed by Jeff Church, The Wiz will be performed live on stage from November 15 - January 5, 2014.

Berkeley Playhouse Wraps Fifth Season with THE WIZ, Now thru 8/25
by TV News Desk - Jul 13, 2013


Berkeley Playhouse closes its fifth season with the Tony Award-winning musical THE WIZ. Kimberly Dooley(Lucky Duck, Seussical, The Musical, Once On This Island) directs and choreographs this soulful re-imagining of L. Frank Baum's family classicThe Wonderful Wizard of Oz, featuring a cast of 46. THE WIZ plays today, July 13 through August 25 (Press opening: July 13) at the Julia Morgan Theater in Berkeley.

Berkeley Playhouse to Wrap Fifth Season with THE WIZ, 7/13-8/25
by Tyler Peterson - Jun 6, 2013


Berkeley Playhouse closes its fifth season with the Tony Award-winning musical THE WIZ. Kimberly Dooley(Lucky Duck, Seussical, The Musical, Once On This Island) directs and choreographs this soulful re-imagining of L. Frank Baum's family classicThe Wonderful Wizard of Oz, featuring a cast of 46. THE WIZ plays July 13 through August 25 (Press opening: July 13) at the Julia Morgan Theater in Berkeley. For tickets ($17-60) and more information, the public may visit berkeleyplayhouse.org or call 510-845-8542x351.

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 5/24- THE WIZ
by Nicole Rosky - May 24, 2013


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.

STAGE TUBE: First Teaser Poster, Video & Full Creative Team Revealed for ROCKY on Broadway
by Robert Diamond - Apr 28, 2013


Stage Entertainment USA and Sylvester Stallone have announced that the new musical, ROCKY, will come to Broadway in 2014, beginning preview performances in February and officially opening in March at Broadway's historic Winter Garden Theatre. ROCKY received its world premiere in fall 2012 in Hamburg, Germany.

BWW Review: Ease on Down and See THE WIZ at Toby's
by Jack L. B. Gohn - Mar 4, 2013


What really puts the show across, however, is the songs. The wealth of black pop of the mid-70s is on display here, including power-pop ballads (THE FEELING WE ONCE HAD) and disco (EMERALD CITY BALLET), with definite echoes of the Shaft Theme in the TORNADO BALLET. And here this great music is put across by pros.

Cicero-North Syracuse High School Casts No Leading African American Students in THE WIZ
by BWW News Desk - Feb 25, 2013


A Cicero-North Syracuse High School parent is upset that their musical 'The Wiz' will not have any African American students in leading roles.

Andre de Shields to Perform in Dumont, NJ, 3/9
by Kelsey Denette - Feb 20, 2013


North Jersey's Bridge Studio for the Performing Arts excitedly announces the addition of Andre De Shields to their amazing lineup of performers for their 3rd annual variety show, entitle SHOWSTOPPERS. SHOWSTOPPERS will take place on Saturday, March 9th at 7:30PM at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church (344 Washington Ave., Dumont, NJ). Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door. They can be purchased by visiting www.bridgestudiofortheperformingarts.com, or by calling 201-394-9697.

BWW Reviews: MARTHA SWOPE: THE REHEARSAL EXHIBITION By Trudy Garfunkel
by Barnett Serchuk - Jan 3, 2013


For nearly four decades (1957-1994), Martha Swope was America's pre-eminent photographer of theater and dance, her discerning eye chronicling hundreds of classical ballets, modern dance, and Broadway performances and performers. But she also went behind-the-scenes, documenting what audiences never get to experience-the creative collaborations that make the magic on stage possible: rehearsals.

B. B. King Blues Club and Grill Announces Entertainment Lineup, Now thru New Year's
by BWW News Desk - Dec 18, 2012


B. B. King Blues Club and Grill, NYC has announced its lineup, December 18, 2012 - January 1, 2013.

Photo Flash: André De Shields Honored at 34th Annual OZ-Stravaganza
by BWW News Desk - Jun 13, 2012


Two-time Tony Award nominee André De Shields, who created the title role in the hit Broadway musical THE WIZ, has just returned from Chittenango, New York where he was a Special Guest of Honor at the 34th Annual OZ-Stravaganza weekend. This village, just outside Syracuse, New York, is the birthplace of L. Frank Baum who is best known for writing The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which became the classic 1939 MGM film starring Judy Garland. Check out photos from the event below!

The Wiz FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of The Wiz have there been?
The Wiz has had 15 productions including Broadway which opened in 1975, Broadway which opened in 1975, US Tour which opened in 1976, US Tour which opened in 1978, which opened in 1980, Broadway which opened in 1984, Broadway which opened in 1984, West End which opened in 1984, Off-Broadway which opened in 1993, US Tour which opened in 1997, San Diego, CA (Regional) which opened in 2006, New York which opened in 2015, St. Louis, MO (Regional) which opened in 2018, US Tour which opened in 2023 and Broadway which opened in 2024.
What Tony Awards has The Wiz been nominated for?
Best Musical , , Best Choreography for George FaisonBest Costume Design for Geoffrey Holder and Best Direction of a Musical for Geoffrey Holder.
What Tony Awards has The Wiz won?
Best Musical, Best Choreography for George Faison Best Costume Design for Geoffrey Holder, Best Direction of a Musical for Geoffrey Holder, .

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