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!
Red Mountain Theatre Company to Present THE WIZ
by Tyler Peterson - May 5, 2015
This May 15-31, Red Mountain Theatre Company (RMTC) will present 'The Wiz,' the seven-time Tony award-winning Broadway musical, a soulful adaptation of Frank L. Baum's 'Wonderful Wizard of Oz.'
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for April 15th. 2015
by Paul W. Thompson - Apr 15, 2015
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Lyric's 'Carousel' and the 'Sound Of Music' movie keep R&H front and center, plus 'Show Boat' from San Francisco and 'The Wiz,' 'Rocky Horror' and 'Grease' coming on television. COT has Ricky Ian Gordon, the Royal George has Louis Prima, more 'First Date' and 'Ordinary Days,' 'On Your Feet' and Broadway In Chicago's summer concert get set, and more!
Bristol Riverside Theatre to Present RAGTIME, 3/17-4/12
by Tyler Peterson - Feb 6, 2015
Bristol Riverside Theatre explores what it means to be an American with its production of Ragtime on March 17-April 12. The Tony Award-winning musical with book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens is directed by Keith Baker and features Leslie Becker, Derrick Cobey, David Edwards, Tamar Greene, Michael Thomas Holmes, Matt Leisy and Ciji Prosser. Supporting roles will be played by Ciaran Barlow as Edgar, Will Connell as Houdini, Jim Conte as Grandfather, Stephen Dagrosa as Willie Conklin, Sarah J. Gafgen as Emma Goldman, and Chelsey Jean as Evelyn Nesbitt. The ensemble includes Rajeer Alford, Amy L. Armstrong, Charles Michael Bendas, Daniel Bontempo, Elena Camp, John DiFerdinando, Jessica Gruver, Brian Michael Henry, Adam Hoyak, Angelica Jackson, Jessica M. Johnson, Walter E. Tucker, Dwayne Washington, and Paul Weagraff.
Photo Flash: First Look at THE WIZ at Maltz Jupiter Theatre
by BWW News Desk - Jan 14, 2015
Like The Wizard of Oz and Wicked? You'll love this spirited rock gospel and soul phenomenon based on the beloved classic tale! Join Dorothy in an adventure with her lovable friends as they journey to meet the Wizard in the Tony Award-winning Broadway sensation The Wiz. This January, ease on down the road with the spirited rock gospel and soul musical based on the beloved classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, January 13 through February 1 at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
Photo Flashback: A Fond Farewell - Remembering The Stars We Lost in 2014
by Walter McBride - Jan 1, 2015
Broadway fans had plenty of reasons to celebrate this year, with dozens of shows having opened since January, hundreds of actors having made their debuts, and many more having returned to the stage for critically acclaimed performances. Not all news was good though, as we also suffered a loss of an incredible amount of talent.
Below, BroadwayWorld sends a fond farewell to those who passed away in 2014.
STAGE TUBE: Broadway Celebrates 40th Anniversary of THE WIZ in Opening Number of GYPSY OF THE YEAR!
by Nicole Rosky - Dec 17, 2014
The 26th annual edition of Gypsy of the Year raised a record-breaking $5,229,611 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, thanks to six weeks of fundraising by 64 Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies. The grand total was announced Tuesday, December 9, 2014, by special guests Hugh Jackman, Nathan Lane and Judith Light after two stellar performances of original dances, songs and skits by more than 200 'gypsies' from Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. The show's spirited opening number celebrated the 40th anniversary of The Wiz, one of the first large-scale, big-budget Broadway musicals to feature an all-black cast and winner of seven Tony Awards in 1975. Check out the full number below!
STAGE TUBE: Watch the Winning Numbers from GYPSY OF THE YEAR, Featuring the Casts of THE LION KING & PIPPIN!
by Nicole Rosky - Dec 12, 2014
The 26th annual edition of Gypsy of the Year raised a record-breaking $5,229,611 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, thanks to six weeks of fundraising by 64 Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies. The grand total was announced Tuesday, December 9, 2014, by special guests Hugh Jackman, Nathan Lane and Judith Lightafter two stellar performances of original dances, songs and skits by more than 200 'gypsies' from Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. Below, we bring you the winning numbers from the casts of THE LION KING and PIPPIN!
Photo Coverage: Original Cast of THE WIZ, THE RIVER's Hugh Jackman, Stars of HEDWIG & More Perform in BC/EFA's GYPSY OF THE YEAR
by Kevin Thomas Garcia - Dec 10, 2014
The 26th annual edition of Gypsy of the Year raised a record-breaking $5,229,611 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, thanks to six weeks of fundraising by 64 Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies. The grand total was announced Tuesday, December 9, 2014, by special guests Hugh Jackman, Nathan Lane and Judith Light after two stellar performances of original dances, songs and skits by more than 200 'gypsies' from Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. Scroll down for photos from the event!
Tuluv Maria Price & Tyree Young to Lead Woodie King Jr's New Federal Theatre's ACCEPT 'EXCEPT' LGBT NY
by Tyler Peterson - Oct 10, 2014
Woodie King Jr's New Federal Theatre kicks off its 45th season with Karima's Accept 'Except' LGBT NY, which will begin performances October 23rd and continue through November 23rd with opening night set for November 6th. Tony Award winner George Faison directs a cast that features Tuluv Maria Price and Tyree Young. The design team includes Chris Cumberbatch (scenic design), Ali Turns (costume design), Thurston Reyes (lighting design), and Ralph Gentry (sound/visual design).
Photo Special: REMEMBERING: Geoffrey Holder
by Walter McBride - Oct 9, 2014
The Broadway community mourns the loss of Geoffrey Holder, the 1975 Tony Award -winning director and costume designer of The Wiz who died on Sunday at the age of 84. The marquees of Broadway theatres in New York will be dimmed in his memory Friday, October 10th, at exactly 7:45pm for one minute. BroadwayWorld.com's Walter McBride has culled through his photo archives to present some images of the legend.
Broadway to Dim Lights in Honor of Tony Winner Geoffrey Holder
by Tyler Peterson - Oct 8, 2014
The Broadway community mourns the loss of Geoffrey Holder, the 1975 Tony Awarda -winning director and costume designer of The Wiz who died on Sunday at the age of 84. The marquees of Broadway theatres in New York will be dimmed in his memory Friday, October 10th, at exactly 7:45pm for one minute.