The Wiz 1975 - Articles Page 6

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 6

VIDEO: Go Inside Rehearsals For TUTS' THE WIZ
by Alan Henry - Oct 19, 2018


BroadwayWorld has a first look at Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is excited to introduce the cast of its upcoming production of The Wiz!

Dance Theatre Of Harlem Brings Milestone Program To New Orleans
by Julie Musbach - Oct 17, 2018


The New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA) presents the return of the classically American Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) Saturday, October 20, at 8 p.m. at the Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts. Continuing its half-century legacy of breaking boundaries and transforming lives through ballet, the company brings a beautiful program of new works and treasured classics that highlights its rich history and honors trailblazing founder Arthur Mitchell, who passed away on Sept. 19 at the age of 84.

Billy Valentine Plays Blackbox @ The Edye At The Broad Stage, 11/2
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 12, 2018


The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica presents Billy Valentine, on Friday, November 2 at 8:00pm.  Billy Valentine is the third evening of blackbox @ the edye, which transforms The Edye into a club featuring up-and-coming jazz and blues artists.  The series is curated and hosted by The Reverend Shawn Amos; he and his house band perform at select shows during the season as well.   

Salome B. Smith Leads the Way Down the Yellow Brick Road in TUTS' THE WIZ
by Julie Musbach - Sep 18, 2018


Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is excited to introduce the cast of its upcoming production of The Wiz!

Black Theatre Troupe Presents THE WIZ
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 17, 2018


Black Theatre Troupe presents The Super Soul Musical version of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" September 28 - October 14 At Tempe Arts Center. This joyous, modern retelling of L. Frank Baum's classic children's story reflects contemporary African-American culture. After Dorothy gets swept up in a tornado, she finds herself in the fantastical world of Oz.

Black Theatre Troupe Opens Its 2018-19 Season With Its First Production Of THE WIZ
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 10, 2018


Black Theatre Troupe opens its 2018-19 season with its first production of THE WIZ, the rock and soul version of The Wizard of Oz. Performances of THE WIZ are Sept 28-Oct. 14 at the Tempe Center for the Arts, which will be the first time the acclaimed company has performed in the venue.

Porchlight Announces Cast And Crew For GYPSY
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 27, 2018


Porchlight Music Theatre's Mainstage 2018 - 2019 season launches with Gypsy, A Musical Fable, October 12 - November 25, at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street, with book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.  Porchlight Music Theatre's Gypsy stars E. Faye Butler as "Rose," is directed by Michael Weber, music directed by David Fiorello and choreographed/associate directed by Chris Carter.

Porchlight Announces Cast And Crew For GYPSY, A MUSICAL FABLE Starring E. Faye Butler
by Julie Musbach - Jun 27, 2018


Porchlight Music Theatre's Mainstage 2018 - 2019 season launches with Gypsy, A Musical Fable, October 12 - November 25, at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street, with book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

Tituss Burgess and Wesley Snipes Join Eddie Murphy for Netflix's DOLEMITE IS MY NAME!
by Macon Prickett - Jun 15, 2018


According to the Hollywood Reporter, Wesley Snipes and Tituss Burgess have joined Eddie Murphy for upcoming Netflix film about the life and work of Rudy Ray Moore, 

Who Will Win at the 2018 Tony Awards? We Compare Year By Year!
by BWW Special - Jun 10, 2018


The 72nd Annual Tony Awards are this Sunday June 10th at 8/9c hosted by Josh Groban and Sara Bareilles. It's the biggest award show of the Broadway season and it closes out a long awards season for Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals and plays. We can't help but wonder what chances this year's Best Musical and Best Play nominees have of taking home the ultimate prize...

Muny Announces Full Cast and Creative for THE WIZ; Darius de Haas, E. Faye Butler, and More
by Julie Musbach - May 30, 2018


The Muny announced today its full cast, design and production team for the theatre's centennial season production of The Wiz, June 19 - 25. 

BWW Review: Everybody Rejoice! The Lyric Stage Company's THE WIZ Is a Whirlwind
by Nancy Grossman - May 24, 2018


Colorful and imaginative costumes, other-worldly lighting and sound effects, and a scenic design that combines magic with urban details, serve as the playground for the Lyric Stage Company's production of the 1975 Tony Award-winning Best Musical, THE WIZ, under the direction of Dawn M. Simmons. Helping her translate her vision of Oz, by way of New Orleans, are Music Director Allyssa Jones, fronting a vibrant eight-piece orchestra, and Jean Appolon, whose inventive choreography anthropomorphizes a tornado, a poppy field, and the eponymous Yellow Brick Road.

TCM To Pay Tribute To Musicals In June Programming Special 'Mad About Musicals!'
by Tori Hartshorn - May 23, 2018


Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will pay homage to the glittering world of Hollywood musicals with Mad About Musicals!, a special month of programming celebrating timeless movie musicals such as The Wizard of Oz, Singin' in the Rain and Cabaret. TCM is once again partnering with Ball State University and Canvas to offer a free online multimedia course tied to this programming special about the history of the musical genre and its evolution with cultural and technological shifts. Enrollment is open until June 17 and fans can sign up for the course at musicals.tcm.com.

Photo Coverage: Carolee Carmello and More Turn Out for Town Hall's BROADWAY BY THE YEAR
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - May 22, 2018


This week the third concert in this landmark 18th season of Town Hall's signature series, Broadway by the Year drew out some of Broadway's finest performers including Tony-nominee Carolee Carmello, Drama Desk nominee Cheryl Freeman, Luke Grooms (Jerry Springer: The Opera), Douglas Ladnier (Jekyll & Hyde), Maxine Linehan (South Pacific), Kyle Selig(Mean Girls), Oakley Boycott (Bells Are Ringing), Joshua Israel (Annie). Check out photos from the even below!

Amber Ruffin to Contribute New Material for The Muny's THE WIZ
by Julie Musbach - May 14, 2018


The Muny announced today that Emmy and Writers Guild Award-nominated Amber Ruffin will provide new material for the script of The Muny's production of The Wiz, June 19 - 25. Ruffin has been working with The Wiz's original book writer, William F. Brown, on The Muny production, with the full support of Charles Michael Smalls, son of The Wiz composer Charlie Smalls. The Muny production is directed by Denis Jones with choreography by Camille A. Brown and music direction by Darryl Archibald. The Wiz is proudly sponsored by Wells Fargo Advisors.

Carolee Carmello, John Easterlin and More Set For 'Broadway By The Year' At Town Hall
by Stephi Wild - May 4, 2018


Another all-star cast has been assembled for the third concert in this landmark 18th season of Town Hall's signature series, Broadway by the Year. The next concert in the series is on May 21st at 8pm & will star Tony-nominee Carolee Carmello, 4-time Grammy-winner John Easterlin, Drama Desk nominee Cheryl Freeman, Luke Grooms (Jerry Springer: The Opera), Douglas Ladnier (Jekyll & Hyde), Maxine Linehan (South Pacific), Kyle Selig (Mean Girls), Oakley Boycott (Bells Are Ringing), Joshua Israel (Annie) and more to be announced soon!

Did You Know... Our Favorite Fun Facts About the 2018 Tony Nominees!
by Matt Tamanini - May 1, 2018


The 2018 Tony nominations were announced this morning. If you haven't checked them out yet, what are you waiting for?! CLICK HERE to check out a full list of this year's nominees, and HERE for reactions from the lucky few!

Dance Theatre Of Harlem Opens Tonight With MLK Commemoration
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 4, 2018


New York's beloved Dance Theatre of Harlem, under the artistic direction of Virginia Johnson, returns to NY City Center for its annual homecoming season tonight, April 4, the 50th Anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with the annual Vision Gala, honoring dance legend Carmen de Lavallade and civil rights icon Xernona Clayton.

BWW Review: THE WIZ at Ford's Theatre
by Elliot Lanes - Mar 25, 2018


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).

Review Roundup: THE WIZ at See 'Em On Stage Productions
by Leah Windahl - Mar 19, 2018


The reviews are in for See 'Em On Stage Productions' THE WIZ! THE WIZ first opened on Broadway in 1975, winning seven Tony Awards, and was later adapted into a popular film starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. THE WIZ opened on March 9th and will run through March 25th.

Soho Rep Adds Second Extension For IS GOD IS, Now Through 3/31
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 21, 2018


Soho Rep. (Sarah Benson, Artistic Director; Cynthia Flowers, Executive Director), has extended the world premiere of Aleshea Harris's Relentless Award-winning Is God Is, directed by Taibi Magar, a second time, through March 31.

Powerhouse Performer Dee Dee Bridgewater Comes to Montalvo Mar. 8
by Julie Musbach - Feb 21, 2018


Montalvo Arts Center continues its acclaimed Carriage House Concert Series with the Tony Award and three-time Grammy Award winner Dee Dee Bridgewater. Bridgewater hits the Carriage House stage 7:30pm, March 8. The NPR "JazzSet" host and recently-awarded ASCAP Foundation Champion Award recipient will perform selections from her newest album, Memphis… Yes, I'm Ready, a love letter to her hometown.

Soho Rep. Extends Aleshea Harris's IS GOD IS Through March 25
by Julie Musbach - Feb 5, 2018


In response to popular demand, Soho Rep. (Sarah Benson, Artistic Director; Cynthia Flowers, Executive Director) extends the world premiere of Aleshea Harris's Relentless Award-winning Is God Is, directed by Taibi Magar by two weeks, through March 25. In this play, which dauntlessly cracks jokes as it eviscerates, twin sisters Anaia (Alfie Fuller) and Racine (Dame-Jasmine Hughes) undertake a murderous journey from the Dirty South to the California desert, seeking payback for a horrendous act. Is God Is treats both morality and genre as notions to be exploded, drawing on the ancient, the modern, the tragic, the Spaghetti Western, hip-hop and Afropunk in its subversion of theatrical constructs.

Dance Theatre of Harlem Commemorates MLK with 2018 New York City Center Season
by Julie Musbach - Feb 2, 2018


Following its critically acclaimed, successful 2017 spring season, New York's beloved Dance Theatre of Harlem, under the artistic direction of Virginia Johnson, will return to NY City Center for its annual homecoming season from April 4-7, 2018.

Faison Firehouse Theater Founder Tad Schnugg Passes Away at 74
by Nicole Rosky - Jan 19, 2018


Tad Schnugg, the lifelong partner of Tony Award Winning Choreographer George Faison, passed away on Saturday January 13, 2018 in New York City at the theater they co-founded in 2000, The Faison Firehouse Theater.

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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