THE WIZ at Appell Center for the Performing Arts

Everybody look around! The Tony Award®-winning Best Musical that took the world by storm is back and coming to the Appell Center.

THE WIZ returns “home” to the Strand Theatre in an all-new tour, direct from Broadway.

The Baltimore Sun raves “Powerhouse performances. Stunning choreography. Visionary sets,” and the Chicago Sun-Times proclaims THE WIZ is “An eye-popping and high-intensity revival!”

This groundbreaking twist on The Wizard of Oz changed the face of Broadway. From its iconic score packed with soul, gospel, rock and ’70s funk to the stirring story of Dorothy’s journey to find her place in a contemporary world, that trailblazing spirit comes thrillingly to life in this bold, joy-filled production. THE WIZ sizzles and soars with a Motown, gospel and disco infused score, featuring the now legendary anthems, “Brand New Day,” Ease on Down The Road,” and ” Home.”

Beautifully reimagined for the stage, THE WIZ is a full-throttle live experience featuring dazzling choreography, spectacular theatricality and a vibrant vision of Oz for a new generation. It’s an electrifying celebration of music, movement and community, directed by Schele Williams (The Notebook), with choreography by JaQuel Knight (Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies,” Black Is King). Tony®-nominated and Emmy®-nominated writer and TV host Amber Ruffin (The Amber Ruffin Show, Late Night with Seth Meyers) serves as writer of additional material and Grammy® and Emmy® Award nominee Joseph Joubert (Broadway’s The Color Purple, Motown The Musical) serves as music supervisor, orchestrator and music arranger.

The production also includes ‘Everybody Rejoice’ music and lyrics by Luther Vandross, as well as the ‘Emerald City Ballet’ with music by Timothy Graphenreed.

Based on L. Frank Baum’s children’s book, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”, The Wiz takes one of the world’s most enduring (and enduringly white) American fantasies and transforms it into an all-Black musical extravaganza for the ages.