DETROIT – The Wiz is back on a Broadway Tour! From June 17th through the 29th you can see this all-new cast of The Wiz perform at the Fisher Theatre.
The Wiz is starting off their new tour right here in Detroit, where it all originally began. This year celebrates the 50th anniversary of The Wiz’s Broadway debut back in 1975. But while its Broadway run started that year, The Wiz initially opened at The Fisher Theatre the year prior.
Based on L. Frank Baum’s novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the musical takes the classic adventure down the yellow brick road and adds a twist. The show’s book, written by William F. Brown, retells the story within the context of African American culture. Featuring an all-Black cast, the score blends gospel, rock, and soul music.
The musical has won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Choreography, awarded to George Faison, the show’s choreographer. Additionally, Geoffrey Holder received two Tonys for Best Direction of a Musical and Best Costume Design during the show’s 1975 debut run, just to name a few.
In this year’s run of the musical, audiences will get to see these incredible performers take on the iconic roles:
- Dana Cimone as Dorothy
- Alan Mingo Jr. as The Wiz
- D. Jerome as Tinman
- Elijah Ahmad Lewis as Scarecrow
- Cal Mitchell as Lion
Local 4 got a chance to meet with the cast and talk about how it feels to bring this musical to life on stage.
“It’s a responsibility that comes with being in entertainment, but being in this show that is culturally directed to us. It’s an honor to travel around, especially at this time in the peak of our climate, where everyone needs to hear this story and feel this story, and what this story is: joy. All joy, all happiness, and all love,” said Elijah Ahmad Lewis, who plays the Scarecrow.
The actors also shared the importance that this musical has on them in their youth and what the show means to them.
“Honestly, for me, The Wiz was the first Black musical I ever saw. Growing up, I loved musicals and would always watch the movies. When I saw The Wiz for the first time, I realized, ‘Hey, that’s someone like me, who can do what I do, and is showing such greatness and talent.’ It inspired me to want to keep going. That’s why I feel so connected to the role that I am playing here as Dorothy, with these lovely people. It is such a joy and an honor to get to be doing this,” said Dana Cimone, who plays Dorothy.