Harold Wheeler News

The Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz stars Ashanti, LaChanze, Joshua Henry, James Monroe Iglehart, Christian Dante White, Tichina Arnold and Dawnn Lewis.

Colman Domingo will replace Orlando Jones in the title role of The Wiz for the final six performances, June 29 - July 5 at New York City Center. Mr. Jones is leaving the show early in order to shoot his new series 'Crash Course' for ABC-TV. The Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz stars Ashanti, LaChanze, Joshua Henry, James Monroe Iglehart, Christian Dante White, Tichina Arnold and Dawnn Lewis.

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Tuesday, June 23, 2009.

The Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz will hold two free post-matinee talkbacks and audience Q&A sessions with Encores! Artistic Director Jack Viertel and members of the company on Wednesday, June 24 and Wednesday, July 1 at New York City Center, 131 W. 55th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenue).

Two-Time Tony Award nominee André De Shields, who created the title role of 'The Wiz' in the original Broadway production (1975), caught the ENCORES! production of 'The Wiz' last night and visited the members of the cast backstage.

BroadwayWorld.com's master photographer Walter McBride covered all the 'Oz' filled action, in addition to his normal stellar photo coverage he has created a special 'In The Spotlight' series of pictures. These portraits of The Wiz cast are 'in the moment' and taken as they met the press on opening night!

As previously announced, the producers of 'HAIRSPRAY' are delighted to welcome Brian Conley to the role of larger-than-life ?Edna Turnblad' in the hit musical, currently playing at London's Shaftesbury Theatre. Brian is joined by Chloe Hart, taking over as big-haired big-hearted ?Tracy Turnblad' and Liam Tamne as heart-throb ?Link Larkin'.

The Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz, starring Ashanti, LaChanze and Orlando Jones, officially opened last night, Thursday, June 18 at New York City Center. (Previews began June 12). Ashanti's Dorothy is joined by Joshua Henry, James Monroe Iglehart, Christian Dante White, Tichina Arnold and Dawnn Lewis. BroadwayWorld.com's cameras celebrated along with the cast after the curtain came down!

The Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz, starring Ashanti, LaChanze and Orlando Jones, officially opened last night, Thursday, June 18 at New York City Center. (Previews began June 12). Easing down the road with Ashanti's Dorothy will be Joshua Henry, James Monroe Iglehart, Christian Dante White, Tichina Arnold and Dawnn Lewis. BroadwayWorld.com 'eased on down the road' to cover all the 'Oz' filled action!

The Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz, starring Ashanti, LaChanze and Orlando Jones, officially opens tonight, Thursday, June 18 at New York City Center. (Previews began June 12). Easing down the road with Ashanti's Dorothy will be Joshua Henry, James Monroe Iglehart, Christian Dante White, Tichina Arnold and Dawnn Lewis.

The Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz will hold two free post-matinee talkbacks and audience Q&A sessions with Encores! Artistic Director Jack Viertel and members of the company on Wednesday, June 24 and Wednesday, July 1 at New York City Center, 131 W. 55th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenue).

THE FIRST WIVES CLUB is getting a new wife. For personal reasons, Adriane Lenox will not be a part of the musical production. Tony Award nominee Sheryl Lee Ralph has stepped in to the role of 'Elyse'.

The Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz, starring Ashanti, LaChanze and Orlando Jones, will open on Thursday, June 18 at New York City Center. (Previews began June 12). Easing down the road with Ashanti's Dorothy will be Joshua Henry, James Monroe Iglehart, Christian Dante White, Tichina Arnold and Dawnn Lewis.

The Wiz, the 1974 rock and soul musical based on the beloved L. Frank Baum story about Dorothy and her adventures in Oz, will be directed by Thomas Kail and choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler, with music direction by Alex Lacamoire, (the team responsible for the Tony-winning In the Heights). It begins performances tonight, June 12th, 2009.

Colman Domingo will replace Orlando Jones in the title role of The Wiz for the final six performances, June 29 - July 5 at New York City Center. Mr. Jones is leaving the show early in order to shoot his new series 'Crash Course' for ABC-TV. The Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz stars Ashanti, LaChanze, Joshua Henry, James Monroe Iglehart, Christian Dante White, Tichina Arnold and Dawnn Lewis.

The Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz, starring Ashanti, LaChanze and Orlando Jones, will open on Thursday, June 18 at New York City Center. (Previews begin June 12). Easing down the road with Ashanti's Dorothy will be Joshua Henry, James Monroe Iglehart, Christian White, Tichina Arnold and Dawnn Lewis. You can catch all the 'Wiz' filled fun at up to 35% off with our special BWW Discount to the upcoming Encores! Summer Stars production!

Previews for the world premiere of The First Wives Club - A New Musical are now set to begin July 17, 2009. The schedule was changed to accommodate a revised rehearsal/technical schedule.

'There's No Place Like Home' for homeless shelter dogs, according to Nigel, the former street-dog-turned-stage-star, who is making his New York professional debut in The Wiz at City Center in June. The need for a home is what inspired Nigel, along with co-star Ashanti (who plays Dorothy) to host 'There's No Place Like Home' Adoption Day on Saturday, May 30th at at City Center (55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues). BroadwayWorld.com was there for all the 'WIZ' filled fun!

'There's No Place Like Home' for homeless shelter dogs, according to Nigel, the former street-dog-turned-stage-star, who is making his New York professional debut in The Wiz at City Center in June. The need for a home is what inspired Nigel, along with co-star Ashanti (who plays Dorothy) to host 'There's No Place Like Home'Adoption Day on Saturday, May 30 at 11:00 am at City Center (55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues).

Ashanti, joined by Thomas Kail and Alex Lacamoire, gave a special behind-the-scenes, sneak peek performance this morning, Tuesday May 19th, for the media and BWW TV was there!