"The Wiz" eases on down to Broadway

The '70s Tony Award-winning musical "The Wiz," a soulful retelling of L. Frank Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," is back on Broadway. Contributor Kelefa Sanneh talks with members of the cast (including Wayne Brady, who is stepping into the shoes of the Wiz), and with director Schele Williams and writer Amber Ruffin, who are revising the show for today's audience.
#TheWiz #broadwaymusical
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[@robingrant1965]

I saw it 1974 on Broadway with my high school sweet heart! It was our first Broadway show experience! I remember Stephanie Mills she was beautiful and amazing! We were about the same age and came from the same neighborhood! -That really meant a lot to me as a young Black Girl! When she sang home I knew what she was talking about!-🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾👏🏾👏🏾Love You Always Stephanie!❤

[@cartomancycarmen]

Awww your sweetheart had sophisticated taste!

[@peterjoseph-limitlesslifes4606]

I saw this company at The Marquis Theatre on Broadway a couple of weeks ago. I loved it! The audience went wild for it as well.

[@mskeepinit1hundred]

I saw it too at the Marquis a couple of weeks ago….had a phenomenal time and met the cast all except for Brady….he must have left as soon as they exited the stage

[@shallownguyen]

I went to New York to see it in may

[@shaywynn4966]

Took my daughter to see it this weekend as a late birthday present. She played Evilene in her school’s production this past year, so I really wanted her to have this LIVE experience. It was phenomenal and worth this trip!

[@autumnof1992]

This Broadway show was amazing. I saw it twice in one month.

[@wendysharpe9277]

This new version was spectacular. The tin man has some serious swag and the lion was full of energy and fun. The scarecrow was hysterical. Saw Stephanie Mills in the 70’s and this new Dorthy held her own. Wayne Brady is the perfect Wiz.

[@arthurfletcher8489]

So sad! As a baby boomer the first thing some of us immediately think of Stephanie Mill--Home!

[@theoriginalmr.j1422]

😊

[@ask4theupgrade359]

Absolutely, I was a baby boomer coming of age when I saw “The Wiz” on Broadway. Stephanie Mills sang “Home” so hard that she blew off one of her ribbons. 🎀 Just Wow I own both The Broadway and The Movie soundtrack.

[@reggietjevans]

No one will ever touch Stephanie Mills’ version

[@d.m.5017]

Awesome Show, new up to date spin on it!!! As a baby my mom use to sing the Judy Garland's "Over The Rainbow" with my daughter & we saw the sold out show on Easter Sunday, 03/31/24. As a child my parents took me to see the Original The Wiz Broadway Play, starring Stephanie Mills. Played the soundtrack in our home all the time. My daughter & son watched the Diana Ross & 🕊💔Michael Jackson film on dvd all the time. Timeless classic🗽🏙💘Brooklyn Love

[@daledonaldson3672]

Just saw this show this past Thursday. It was so much fun! Very entertaining with great choreography, music, and acting. I only wish Glinda had been on stage more, and that Toto was included. A fantastic updated version of a classic.

[@googleuser1197]

Thank you for this review! Yes, why would they leave Toto out of it? Seems like a mistake on the part of the producers.

[@skh1964]

I would love to see it, I am such a fan of The Wiz.

[@BrettWhitmarsh]

The incredible Amber Ruffin!

[@angelinamclaughlin-heil]

Brady has always belonged on Broadway!

[@lcruisin]

I saw this in Chicago and I had so much fun!!! I hope to see it again in New York soon!!

[@mozellephilpart1726]

No one sings Home like Stephanie Mills!❤

[@classyboy04]

Or Diana

[@sarahneu8349]

No one sings anything like Stephanie Mills. What a goddess.

[@mozellephilpart1726]

I'm happy for the new Broadway Show the Wiz but I absolutely loved the Wiz with Stephanie Mills! To me that show was Great! It was so great to me I took 3 different 5th classes to it! Love you Stephanie!❤

[@robzphotoz5465]

Saw this show on it's national tour! Absolutely incredible! Every cast member is so talented!! ❤

[@sjwilloughby-greene8214]

Best wishes to all the cast & crew. I am sure it will be fantastic. 🙏

[@AmandaRestivo]

Amber is right, you cannot NOT like The Wiz. It's such a great show!

[@bloatedsodium7301]

That was one of the zestiest lions I’ve ever seen 😂 💅

[@bluejay9638]

I'ma be so fr....I thought they had genderbend ion until I checked the playbill at intermission 😭

[@lovettcarson1393]

WE HAVE ALREADY PURCHASED OUR TICKETS FOR MAY 2..NEW YORK CITY, .I HAVE LOVED THE WIZ SINCE 1974....I have chills just watching this right now, I AM SO EXCITED, WOW...I still have it on DVD, I watch it with my grandchildren..THEY KNOW, GRANNY LOVES "THE WIZ"

[@reneej7241]

How was it?

[@lovettcarson1393]

AWESOME, AWESOME, THE WIZ WAS AWESOME...IF YOU ARE IN NEW YORK..PLEASE GO SEE IT...WOW!..

[@chrisfinch8637]

The WIZ is truly one of the best musicals and movie adaptations from the original Broadway show, as well as the original 1939 Judy Garland movie (in which no one can replace her as Dorothy). Even like the late Michael Jackson, I’m always easing on down that Yellow Brick Road, whenever I’m watching any adaptation of The WIZ, myself.

[@fannishmarcia]

Andre DeSheilds as The Wizard was INCREDIBLE. I do like Wayne Brady, yet his rendition is tame by comparison. I was fortunate to see it on Broadway more than once. Yay! Stephanie Mills has no equal as Dorothy. And I cannot forget the Yellow Brick Road. I don't see them here, either. They were more than dynamic!

[@hopehealthhappiness465]

Love Wayne Brady. So talented!

[@Faith_Ell22]

Saw this in Chicago and it is definitely a show to see! Hope they do a cast recording soon!

[@r9taylor]

How do you do a news story about The Wiz returning to Broadway and make no mention of Stephanie Mills or Andre DeShields?

[@meccawalker4773]

Exactly

[@newcreature222]

As usual humanity is disrespectful , never honoring the ones who paved the way and in this case the yellow brick road and you can’t even speak their names it’s just sad 😔

[@sampa2nyc]

This story also failed to mention the original Wiz won 7 Tony Awards. I hope this lives up to the hype. So far, it's giving me high school production or community theater vibes. I hope I'm wrong.

[@jefflong1799]

OR Quincy Jones, Nipsey Russell??

[@tonysmith6166]

@@sampa2nycI 💯 agree with you. It’s giving high school musical theater 🎭

[@edreid7872]

Having seen the Judy Garland version many, many times, the original Broadway show, the Diana Ross version in the theatre, and many times on television..and the live version on TV as well..I can honestly say, I'm whizzed out..🤣

[@ThisIsJ.Nicole]

😂

[@thewizboy]

Saw this stage version in LA and it was absolutely terrible. I will just continue to L❤VE the monumental lavish chic incredible film version with the incomparable Diana Ross and the brilliant Michael Jackson and cast. Diana Ross is my favorite Dorothy, and THE WIZ film is the most extravagant and creative heartfelt version of them all. This new Broadway stage conception was absolutely High School amateurish level at best.

[@Daleylife]

Why was it terrible?

[@tonysmith6166]

I sensed that from watching this video 😂🤣 Thank you for your TRUTH

[@maryannfelice148]

I wish I could see it. These young actors are amazing!

[@george4u1960]

No matter how many times they do it Stephanie mills boys made that play and of course Miss late Mabel King.

[@johnfd0210]

I was thinking of Mabel King during this; thanks for mentioning her.

[@FreedomKat]

Saw it in SF and LOVED IT!

[@cmarie9817]

I had the absolute pleasure to see this last week! Loved it!

[@barefootbuddy7140]

Saw it in Baltimore and it was fantastic! Got tickets to see it again in July on Broadway! Where’s the cast album?!

[@BedStuyDOD62]

I saw original on broadway back in HS, MY FIRST PLAY. I got my tickets…can’t wait to see it AGAIN!

[@JohnSmith-qj6bj]

Saw it yesterday on Broadway, it was FABULOUS! Everyone was amazing!

[@peterbernhardt5169]

Saw the original on Broadway in '74. Half-priced matinee tickets were cheap and easy to get as reviews were lukewarm and no one thought it would last. Saw Andre de Shields and Hinton Battle and loved Mabel King as a growly Wicked Witch. Took my best friend in college with me. He died two weeks ago, ending a great 50-year friendship. A live dog as Toto had a few seconds on stage in the beginning and the end, so no big loss here but the flying monkeys and mice are taken from the book and repurposed for dance and satire. It makes me wonder how this new version gets the lion out of his poppy girl induced stupor or how Dorothy is taken to the witch's castle?

[@fannishmarcia]

Sorry for the loss of your beloved friend. I too saw it in NY and it will never leave me as an incredible event. I will add that the Yellow Brick Road men, were a very nice addition!

[@DJShawn1980NYC]

Kandi Burruss is a producer for The Wiz

[@angiecasey7023]

The Wiz was sooooo good. The costumes, dancing, singing and acting, was phenomenal.

[@KevinNYC1021]

The WIZ was the first move that I have seen in a movie theatre. Endless subliminal messages "Can you feel a brand new day", "You can't win, and you can't break even and you can't get out of the game"... all about life.

[@nymet2454]

In the whole segment, they didn't mentioned the great Stephanie Mills.

[@blackbroadwayandbeyond]

They didn't mention any of the people involved in the original production. I was hoping to hear Geoffrey Holder's name in addition to Stephanie Mills, Andre de Shields, etc. Also, no mention of Charlie Smalls, whose music and lyrics are the heart and soul of "The Wiz." The original Broadway production won multiple awards.

[@johnwebb2442]

Love The Wiz.

[@aviaforrester1481]

"Nobody beats the wiz, nobody beats the wiz."

[@dallasjordan1311]

Saw it last evening and I was amazed. Very well done, and the casting was spectacular.

[@deannaperkins754]

I saw it when I was in elementary school, and Stephanie Mills was Dorothy. I was mesmerized!!!

[@williamcrowe2576]

One thing I admire about the songs is their backgrounds. "The Feeling We Once Had", for example, has a kind of Gospel flavor.

[@QueenBDreamwalker]

Beauteous ~ this sounds like a great restaging ~ i know from experience what a Family of Thespians can bring to a production ~ the Love energy flows from the stage to the audience!!! Wish i could afford to come see y'all 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🎭🎶💖

[@obiephillips9174]

I'm missing the soul and funk of the original.

[@drubert1981]

Saw it twice in SF before they hit LA and Broadway. They all killed vocally.

[@leeharrison8222]

My parents took me and my brother to see The Wiz on Broadway in the late 1970s. Amazing show. For Christmas that year, they also got for me the record of the soundtrack for the show featuring Stephanie Mills as Dorothy, and I proceeded to wear that record OUT. Loved the music and the spectacle of it. I would like to see the new version.

[@amandamctyre1615]

The WIZ was my first Broadway show to see back in the 70’s… Looking forward to this adaptation 😊

[@ciaartin2221]

I am going on friday! I cannot wait! Getting ready to 🎶Ease on down the road🎵🎶!!!

[@clwxrf6007]

I just came back from this show on Broadway at the Marquis. This show is fantastic!

[@corazonazultw]

Wish you could at least mention or intervie Deborah Cox, Glinda in the Wiz.

[@WhatsYourTea]

so google Tamron Hall show. She Interviews Deborah Cox. great show and singing

[@mililaniman]

I wish I could see Wayne Brady's performance on the Wiz. There should be some catchy new tunes in this production.

[@oc5939]

No mention of Deborah Cox? 💐

[@sailorpluto1556]

Well, everything knows about she is in the production

[@yvonnecooper5004]

Wishing you much success!!

[@NFNJP]

I saw it in Baltimore and hated it. The Original Broadway version was incredible.

[@jamesacoffey9006]

The music from the Wiz is so underrated. The songs are great both pertinent to the narrative and relevant on their own. Its unfortunate that only Ease on Down and Home have been embraced, because there are so many songs from this show with weight. Personally i find the film version an acquired taste due to tone. However, the original cast album is much cherished by me. And Stephanie Mills? Good god, what a voice! She deserves more recognition.

[@Joan0414]

I love Wayne Brady and the rest of the cast looks amazing! This is going to be fantastic!

[@jen1007]

This play was AMAZING ❤!!!!

[@diandrex4612]

These women are BRILLIANT ❤

[@Backpack16]

I’m glad, they gave us a background, for Dorothy.

[@threemusketeers4109]

I can’t wait to see this show!!!!❤

[@reneebrooks2722]

I am FOREVER a Stephanie Mills FAN, but Nichelle Lewis was GREAT. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the musical arrangements of the new songs. "Be a Lion" brought me to tears!!! I have the original album and will definitely stream this latest version. The singers can SANG!!!

[@Daleylife]

There's no Toto, the wicked witch has actually stolen Dorothy's friend's gifts, AND the actress playing her also plays Aunt Em! Everyone knows that SOMETIMES Glinda and Aunt Em are played by the same actress. Having her play the wicked witch is weird.

[@Jhene_Simone]

Cried twice. Loved it ❤

[@babybluepradas1]

A+ Across The Board I Saw It on 8/16/24 Everyone Sanged Down❤

[@calebhernandez187]

I loved the movie so much,I’m down to watch this on broadway

[@johnconrad2781]

AWESOMENESS RETURNS! #THEWIZ #BROADWAY #2024

[@angiejeanjacques4239]

So proud of my lil cousin Laruen in the WIZ

[@vanessagreen180]

I saw it DC! It was AMAZING!

[@sonyahall5080]

I definitely need to take a trip to NYC!

[@HedrickGreer998]

So ready for this!!

[@byronb.]

The 1974 casting and costumes looks so much stronger than this revival.

[@latishatomblin8944]

No Toto? That makes me sad but i would still LOVE to see this! I enjoy the story The Wiz so much.

[@gabrielribeiro-mills8716]

I hope Wayne Brady wins a Tony for his performance.

[@25mrkeys]

How did I miss this?? 🔥🔥🔥

[@azyurentertainment1496]

Why is no one saying Stephanie Mills' name as 'Dorothy' from the original Broadway production?

[@newcreature222]

Thank you so disrespectful

[@DemureDarlings]

MY FAV MOVIE 🍿

[@steveconn]

Can't really top the Diana Ross/young Michael Jackson film version, but good songs. It could also be a good title for a musical about aging prostates (Wayne will always be beloved for his Dave Chappelle Training Day sketch 🎉❤🎉).

[@I_WANT_MY_SLAW]

Wayne loves Chappelle, because he's the one who reminded everyone that he's black.

[@JoeSmith-vf7ew]

I saw it!! I must see it again!! It's well done and the dialogue is not light weight. There's plots and meaning. Deborah Cox wasn't there. Everyone was Fabulous. Wayne Brady!!

[@4biz]

IM ROOTING FOR IT.LOVED THE WIZ.I WAS A CHILD WHEN I SAW THE MOVIE.I CANT WAIT TO SEE&HEAR THE MUSIC.

[@JoeSmith-vf7ew]

Wayne Brady was Awesome!

[@davidbarnes1113]

I’m sorry but the original Broadway cast with Stephanie Mills, will forever be the best version.

[@danielminutilli5372]

Good show. The singing, dancing, coating m es are great. Avilon Trust Tate is a superstar. 😃

[@edmundcasey7765]

WAYNE BRADY IS THE PERFECT CHOICE FOR THE WIZ

[@corriburman3962]

Why we always have to mess with the classics

[@ForeverKnight71]

What? Stage musicals are revived all the time. ALL the time. Weird comment.

[@mic47013]

❤❤❤

[@laynna3245]

anyone know how long Wayne will be as the wiz on broadway?

[@tonyawilson7613]

I hope they do the movie

[@tamarraclark4740]

❤

[@charlenacole5019]

Kandi and Todd, and everbody involved deserves all the accolades

[@keilitzb]

With all due respect, the only version that matters and is still in my head in 2024 is the 1975 Broadway version. It had a spectacular cast, great scenery for that time, and a message that really meant something to the black community. This production looks like what it is a watered-down watch-the-budget roadshow tour. Broadway has become very expensive so I'm curious how many will be able to afford the ticket prices. If you want to sit in heaven (it's a big theatre) the cheapest seats average $75-$125 each and the best seats in the orchestra average $150-$500 each depending on the date and if it's a matinee or evening performance.

[@A3Kr0n]

I had successfully forgotten about that show years ago. Now I have to start anew.

[@BCNbananas]

Please come to DENMARK :)

[@arthurfletcher8489]

Mills

[@JacquelineButterfield]

You could have said more about Stephanie Mills, she was excellent young and exuberant as Dorothy in the original play...before the movie with a mature woman being cast as Dorothy.

[@damamae950]

No Toto? No way

[@newcreature222]

No Toto blasphemy 🧐

[@desirecoco482]

I saw it on Broadway in NYC. I was disappointed as there was no Toto, no Yellow Brick Road, no flying monkeys, no ruby slippers; the slippers were silver and no uncle Hank. The Wiz just ain't the Wiz with no yellow brick road or Toto!! Got dang shame😂😡🤬

[@cynical_chai8922]

@@desirecoco482 whaaaaaa

[@spinlok3943]

Will Wayne sing a hoedown in the show?

[@nashshaffer6235]

I want to see this

[@troygaspard6732]

I remember Stephanie Mills.

[@johnlewis195]

It wasn't nominated for a Tony...So Sad

[@CoachNickCA]

I wish directors could remake classics without simultaneously trashing the original during PR.

[@cartomancycarmen]

Love the scarecrows blond afro

[@a.d.weaver6625]

That Eviline in this show is a shoe in for the Tony and someone needs to do more coverage on her, because I wanna know more!