The new revival of The Wiz will begin Broadway previews on March 29, 2024, at the Marquis Theatre, with an opening night set for Wednesday, April 17.
The musical will feature Wayne Brady in the title role. The Broadway dates and venue were announced today by producers Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Brian Anthony Moreland, Ambassador Theatre Group, Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker.
The limited engagement on Broadway follows a pre-Broadway national tour that launched in Baltimore yesterday with a sold-out show (and five standing ovations). Baltimore was the site of the musical’s original world premiere nearly 50 years ago.
In addition to Brady as the Wiz, the Broadway cast will feature Nichelle Lewis as Dorothy, Deborah Cox as Glinda and Melody A. Betts as Aunt Em and Evillene, Kyle Ramar Freeman as the Lion, Phillip Johnson Richardson as the Tinman, and Avery Wilson as the Scarecrow.
Featuring a book by William F. Brown and a Tony Award-winning score by Charlie Smalls (and others), the creative team also includes director Schele Williams (The Notebook, revival of Disney’s Aida), award-winning choreographer JaQuel Knight (Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies,” Black is King), additional material by writer and TV host Amber Ruffin (The Amber Ruffin Show, Late Night With Seth Meyers), Joseph Joubert (music supervision, orchestrations, & music arrangements), Allen René Louis (vocal arrangements, music arrangements), and music director Adam Blackstone (Dance Music Arranger).
The Wiz design team will include scenic design by Hannah Beachler, costume design bySharen Davis (Ray, Dreamgirls), lighting design by Ryan J. O’Gara, sound design by Jon Weston, projection design by Daniel Brodie, wig design by Charles LaPointe and make-up design by Kirk Cambridge-Del Pesche.
