THE WIZ "Wonder, Wonder Why & Don't Cry Girl" 1983

Stephanie Mills (Dorothy), Gregg Baker (Lion).
Book by William F. Brown; Music by Charlie Smalls; Lyrics by Charlie Smalls; Music orchestrated by Harold Wheeler; Musical Director: Charles H. Coleman; Dance arrangements by Timothy Graphenreed; Directed by Geoffrey Holder; Choreography and musical numbers staged by George Faison! Licensed and posted with permission of Charlie Smalls Estate.

[@iago07]

The fact that Stephanie Mills was not even nominated for Lead Actress in a Musical is a real crime. Especially since the show won 7/8 Tony awards it was nominated for including Best Musical. Dorothy is such a vocally demanding role and full of so many emotions. And Stephanie carried the show…

[@polly8844]

What an extraordinary voice that man has.

[@Cakesblessed58]

She did a get job in the Wiz. I was so moved by her songs. Nice job. ❤❤❤❤

[@DreamDollface]

She looks so good. She is beautiful! Yesssss, Miss Stephanie!!!!

[@josephsmith5410]

Two beautiful songs...and I didn't know they existed.

[@TruthSerum101]

Gregg Baker has always had such a beautiful voice.

[@KIKAALEGRIA]

This should have been on the original cast album ❤✨

[@Vesterlyng]

exactly...i have the original broadway album and it isnt on it.

[@revengeofbcraig5755]

They cut it from the original Broadway musical. They sprinkle it in in future productions every now and then like they did in the 80s revival and in the new one on tour right now.

[@ninobrown5416]

🥺👏👏👏👏🥺

[@musicaltheatrefan2k226]

It’s released by Diana Ross, and now Nichelle Lewis

[@Zenbiztravel]

For some reason I never remember these songs from the original productions. I loved it in the new productions and glad I rediscovered these originals.

[@eliottrobinson8288]

I don't care what anyone says this was the best show on Broadway EVER! Most of the sound track were potential multi platinum hits. Plus George Faison was the first African American choreographer to win a Tony Award for his choreography in The Wiz in1975. The cast was so well chosen for the Broadway version that it totally out shined and out performed the Diana Ross and Micheal Jackson version. I wish they could recreate the 1975 version I would go see it again.

[@btheatre1]

Awesome. But the choreographer was George Faison and not Alvin Ailey and yes I feel the same as you regarding The Wiz being my favorite Broadway show! ❤️

[@eliottrobinson8288]

yup your right. I stand corrected. Thank you .@@btheatre1

[@meccawalker4773]

I knew about Wonder Why, but not....Don't cry little girl. Thank you for sharing

[@wwozanewmusical]

I knew about both songs, but only saw a recording of wonder wonder from the back row and it was fuzzy, but hearing wonder wonder and then the lion joining and trying to cheer her up was great to see and hear. I'm assuming this was before Dorothy was put to work in the castle? cause she isn't wearing any apron or a broom at this version of the song? but these two songs were worth recording I think.

[@stephaniemills_fanpage]

Just beautiful, her voice really just gets stronger and better as time goes on. Steph will forever own this role ❤ and thank you for all the beautiful footage

[@btheatre1]

You're so welcome! ❤

[@ygk1389]

I was today years old….👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@keithbrooks0223]

Fantastic, I got to see the original Wiz cast perform when I first moved to Los Angeles. Stephanie was amazing!

[@carloswise6575]

How? On her knees?!!!!! Amazing

[@george4u1960]

Beautifully done. Stephanie has so much control in that voice. I don't know no one can sing low and little notes like she can. She don't need to

[@cde2615]

I'm crying, So beautiful,

[@michaelrown-h3d]

OMG I’m in tears! She sang that song! @stephaniemills is one of the greats!!!!

[@michaelrown-h3d]

I love the lion too! He sang down too and picked Stephanie up like a baby!

[@GETOSUPASTAR]

I was today years old when i learned about this song. I wonder why it was cut from subsequent productions? 💁🏿‍♂️ Thanks for posting!🤗 Happy anniversary "The Wiz"! ❤

[@rellenoz]

I'm today years old! This song is incredible.

[@revengeofbcraig5755]

It was in the earlier stages before in went to Broadway and I think they cut it for time and due to it being mostly filler.

[@TruthSerum101]

@@revengeofbcraig5755 Right. Wonder Wonder Why was cut before the opening of the the original Broadway production which is why it's not on the cast album. It was reinstated for the 1983 tour along with a new song, Don't Cry Girl. By the time the show returned to Broadway in 1984, Wonder Wonder Why was still there, but I don't remember Don't Cry Girl being there at all. I have an old cassette recording of the revival hidden away somewhere.

[@revengeofbcraig5755]

@@TruthSerum101 I think they tried it out early or something. Don’t know about Don’t Cry Girl, but I know Wonder Wonder Why is in the new off Broadway version.

[@LosOjosCar]

@@revengeofbcraig5755 Is it? Saw the touring version in CLT; I'll have to look out for it on B'way.

[@Cola531]

Sing one of my fav singers Stephanie Mills🔥

[@alanrandall3098]

Simply fabulous! 😊👏🏼

[@0ne0nlyLarry]

🌟🌟🌟Phenomenal Find 🌟🌟🌟 Truly one of my favorite musicals.

[@lpinckney8646]

Great song. Wonder, Wonder Why is much shorter in the new version but I love the arrangement. it needs to go back to the full version. I think Don't Cry Gril was totally cut. Put it back. LOL. I saw the original and all the revivals. Long live the wiz.

[@allamark3]

😢😢😢 this song brings me to tears

[@MrBarrywes]

I can tell this is the revival. She was still a tiny lady with a big voice but she was much more glamorous looking and she had lost weight.

[@johnheidrich159]

This is AMAZING!! Thank you!!!!

[@sheismymom]

Thank you so much wow

[@Southgate210]

Yet Another Surprise!

[@bookboybrs90]

Thanks

[@bookboybrs90]

Keep the wiz Rolling

[@sailorpluto1556]

An so ✨ICONIC ✨ song

[@freejedisentinel2878]

Thank you for uploading this. What part of the play does this take place?

[@btheatre1]

Takes place in Act 2 after Dorothy and friends are captured by the winged monkeys and prior to defeating Evillene!

[@freejedisentinel2878]

That's so cool. Thank you!

[@meganailsa]

Beautiful. do you have a clip of Stephanie singing Home

[@williamthomas3506]

KZbin has many videos of her singing Home in the play! Enjoy!

[@meganailsa]

Wonderful. Do you have Stephanie singing Home

[@GalaxyNexus1]

Were these songs in the original Broadway production? Are were they cut before it opened on Broadway and put back in for the revival?

[@btheatre1]

Yes they were in the pre-Broadway tryout in 1974 then removed prior to opening on Broadway in 1975 then placed back into the 1983/1984 revival.

[@GalaxyNexus1]

@@btheatre1 cool! This is my 1st time ever hearing of them!

[@GalaxyNexus1]

@@btheatre1 do you know the story behind why they were initially removed?

[@btheatre1]

@@GalaxyNexus1 To edit the show down because it was nearly 3 hours on the road and considered overlong.

[@GalaxyNexus1]

@@btheatre1 I wonder why they were put back in, then in 83. 🤔

[@camronchristopherpoellnitz7456]

I was born on the day before yesterday ease on the down 1

[@joshuacheshire5859]

Is it possible for you to post any renditions of no bad news?

[@joshuacheshire5859]

Can you send me the full 1992 production? I have been dying to see it

[@btheatre1]

This isn’t the 1992 tour. This is the 1983/1984 tour and I do not have the full show or the permission to release it.

[@joshuacheshire5859]

@@btheatre1 well I hope when day we can see it

[@joshuacheshire5859]

@@btheatre1 is there any full wiz productions that I am able to view?

[@btheatre1]

@@joshuacheshire5859 The 1992 tour is available to view in New York City at the New York Public Library Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (Theater on Film and Tape Archive).

[@meccawalker4773]

I've seen a clip of Wonder Wonder Why, did they cut don't cry little girl... Later on in the run of the revival

[@btheatre1]

Yes it was cut before the run on Broadway in 1984.

[@meccawalker4773]

@@btheatre1 thank you so much

[@that1theatreguy]

i also noticed from the other video (bway in 84) her timing of the words was different ig that just came with singing the song over time and trying new things

[@GETOSUPASTAR]

@@btheatre1 do you know what point in the show this falls in? Did another song replace it or was the entire scene cut? 🤷🏿

[@btheatre1]

@@GETOSUPASTAR Wonder Why / Don’t Cry Girl happens after Dorothy and friends are captured by the winged monkeys and transported to Evillene’s palace.

[@joshuacheshire5859]

Are you excited for the new revival?