The Tony® Award-winning Best Musical that took the world by storm is back. THE WIZ returns "home" to stages across America in an all-new Broadway tour, the first one in 40 years. Baltimore Sun raves "Powerhouse performances. Stunning choreography. Visionary sets" and Chicago Tribune 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 its stirring tale of Dorothy's journey to find her place in a contemporary world. With direction by Schele Williams (The Notebook, revival of Disney's Aida), choreography by JaQuel Knight (Beyoncé's "Single Ladies, "Black Is King) and additional material by Tony-nominated and Emmy-nominated writer and TV host Amber Ruffin (The Amber Ruffin Show, Late Night with Seth Meyers), this dynamite infusion of ballet, jazz, and modern pop brings a whole new groove to easing on down the road. Everybody rejoice!
THE WIZ seems to rush through Act I quickly, with brief introductions to each character, and songs that do have a similar, nondescript tone. It takes a while to develop a sense of heart for these street smart versions of Dorothy's pals. Luckily the second Act allows the group to meld better. The reveal of the Wiz's trickery was just as disappointing as ever, only to be resolved by Glinda once again. By the time the cast sings "Everybody Rejoice" (aka "Can You Feel A Brand New Day" by Luther Vandross) we are thrown back into the the psychodelic land of the 1970's, with a paean as uplifting as "Let The Sun Shine In" from HAIR.
The impressive cast belts like mad, almost Handelian in their three-notes for every syllable uttered. This gospel style of singing, Mahalia Jackson on steroids, wears one out after the first few numbers. Everybody wails as if on America’s Got Talent. They are all incredibly good singers, great singers, super singers, really; but eventually they all sound the same, and the style numbs us.
| 1975 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
| 1976 | US Tour |
1st National Tour US Tour |
| 1978 | US Tour |
2nd National Tour US Tour |
| 1980 |
Regional Revival |
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| 1984 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
| 1984 | West End |
London Revival West End |
| 1993 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway Revival Off-Broadway |
| 1997 | US Tour |
Touring Revival US Tour |
| 2006 | San Diego, CA (Regional) |
La Jolla Revival San Diego, CA (Regional) |
| 2015 | New York |
NBC Live Television Production New York |
| 2018 | St. Louis, MO (Regional) |
Muny Revival St. Louis, MO (Regional) |
| 2023 | US Tour |
US Tour US Tour |
| 2024 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Production Broadway |
| 2025 | US Tour |
US Tour US Tour |
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