"We are part of something so special," says director Schele Williams in a new video taking theatre fans into the rehearsal room for Broadway's upcoming revival of The Wiz. "We get to carry the torch, and that is a privilege. Every day you go into your dressing rooms, every day they call half-hour is a gift."
Watch the full video, which includes a sneak peek at "Everybody Rejoice," above.
The revival is set to begin at Broadway's Marquis Theatre March 29, capping off a pre-Broadway tour that began last year. Opening night is April 17. Williams is directing with choreography by JaQuel Knight.
Newcomer Nichelle Lewis stars as Dorothy, joined in the cast by Wayne Brady as The Wiz, Deborah Cox as Glinda, Melody A. Betts as Aunt Em and Evillene, Kyle Ramar Freeman (A Strange Loop) as the Lion, Phillip Johnson Richardson (Sharper) as the Tinman, and Avery Wilson (The Voice) as the Scarecrow.
READ: When Starring in a Broadway-Bound National Tour Starts With a TikTok Video
Williams is leading a creative team that also includes 2023 Tony Award nominee Amber Ruffin, who has penned additional material. The gig is Ruffin's second theatrical outing, following her work co-writing the Tony-nominated book to Broadway's Some Like It Hot with Matthew López. Joseph Joubert is providing music supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements, with dance arrangements by Adam Blackstone, scenic design by Hannah Beachler, costume design by Sharen Davis, lighting design by Ryan J. O'Gara, projection design by Daniel Brodie, sound design by Jon Weston, and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe. Casting is by Tara Rubin Casting.
WATCH: Deborah Cox Sings 'Believe in Yourself' from The Wiz on Tamron Hall
The Wiz premiered on Broadway in 1975, transforming L. Frank Baum's classic children's novel into an all-Black "super soul musical," as it was originally billed. A surprise hit of the season, the musical won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Score, Featured Actor in a Musical (Ted Ross), Featured Actress in a Musical (Dee Dee Bridgewater), Choreography (George Faison), and Direction of a Musical and Costume Design (both Geoffrey Holder). The score's "Ease On Down the Road" and "Home" became breakout hits, and original star Stephanie Mills was propelled into stardom. The musical made the jump to the big screen in 1978 with a film adaptation starring Diana Ross, Lena Horne, Richard Pryor, Michael Jackson, and, reprising his Broadway performance as the Cowardly Lion, Ross.
Visit WizMusical.com.
Nichelle Lewis, Avery Wilson, and company of The Wiz
Kyle Ramar Freeman, Avery Wilson, Nichelle Lewis, and Phillip Johnson Richardson in The Wiz
Kyle Ramar Freeman, Nichelle Lewis, Phillip Johnson Richardson, and Avery Wilson in The Wiz
Nichelle Lewis and Melody Betts in The Wiz
Alan Mingo Jr and company of The Wiz
Phillip Johnson Richardson in The Wiz
Deborah Cox, Nichelle Lewis, and company of The Wiz
Company of The Wiz
Deborah Cox in The Wiz
Kyle Ramar Freeman and Nichelle Lewis in The Wiz
Nichelle Lewis and Deborah Cox in The Wiz
