Stu Gilliam

In 1975 a revolutionary approach to L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz opened on Broadway at the Majestic Theatre. The Wiz was a musical that no one thought would get past its opening night. The show proved everyone wrong. It won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical and ran for 1,672 performances. The all-African American version of Dorothy’s trip down the yellow brick road is now embarking on a thirteen-city pre- Broadway tour and is playing at the National Theatre here in DC through October 29th. I am sorry to say that this version is a rocky journey over a cool “Ease on Down the Road”.

From November 18th-21st, Judson Theatre Company will be presenting a new holiday comedy by Stan Zimmerman & Christian McLaughlin titled YES, VIRGINIA at Owens Auditorium inside the Bradshaw Performing Arts Center. Actress Arnetia Walker stars in the production opposite Mindy Sterling. She has appeared on Broadway in THE SIGN IN SIDNEY BRUSTEIN'S WINDOW, TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, RAISIN, THE WIZ, and DREAMGIRLS. Her TV credits include: QUANTUM LEAP, NURSES, THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR, MAD ABOUT YOU, NYPD BLUE, MALCOLM & EDDIE, JUST SHOOT ME!, THE STEVE HARVEY SHOW, TOUCHED BY AN ANGLE, CITY OF ANGELS, JUDGING AMY, EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND, and DYNASTY. Her film credits include: THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, THE WIZARD OF SPEED AND TIME, SCENES FROM THE CLASS STRUGGLE IN BEVERLY HILLS, LOVE CRIMES, FOR LOVE OF THE GAME, and COLLEGE ROAD TRIP. I had the great pleasure of interviewing her about all of this and more.

Today's Theater Stories features the Majestic Theatre! Learn about some of the best-known shows to grace the stage of the Majestic Theatre, including Carousel, South Pacific, Camelot, Phantom of the Opera, and many more!

Today we're celebrating Black History Month by taking a closer look at the 2009 Encores! production of The Wiz, which starred James Monroe Iglehart, Joshua Henry, LaChanze, Ashanti and more. Watch as we take you inside rehearsals with the cast!

Un 5 de enero de 1975, THE WIZ se estrenaba en Broadway en el Majestic Theatre. Este musical supone una revisión del cuento clásico de EL MAGO DE OZ adaptándolo a la actualidad del momento y conectándolo de manera directa con la cultura urbana negra.

As if there weren't enough scary things in the world right now, I've come to realize that I have been going to live theatrical productions for over 43 years. That means I have been sitting in the dark for a long time (no jokes please).