The Wiz

The Wiz
source
Name	The Wiz
Music	Charlie Smalls
Lyrics	Charlie Smalls
Book	William F. Brown
Basis	The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Awards	Tony Award for Best Musical

The Wiz is a musical with music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls and a book by William F. Brown, based on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. The musical was produced by Ken Harper and directed by Geoffrey Holder, with choreography by George Faison. The original production starred Stephanie Mills as Dorothy Gale, Hinton Battle as the Scarecrow, Tiger Haynes as the Tin Man, and Ted Ross as the Cowardly Lion. The musical premiered at the Majestic Theatre on Broadway in 1975, with Mabel King as Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West, and André De Shields as the Wiz.

Production History

The production of The Wiz was a significant event in the history of Broadway theater, with a predominantly African American cast and creative team. The musical was developed at the New York Shakespeare Festival, with Joseph Papp as the producer. The original production was designed by Geoffrey Holder, with costumes by Geoffrey Holder and Luther Henderson as the musical supervisor. The musical was also performed at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre and the Majestic Theatre, with Thelma Carpenter as Aunt Em and Clarice Taylor as Glinda the Good Witch. The production won seven Tony Awards, including Tony Award for Best Musical, with George Faison winning the Tony Award for Best Choreography and Geoffrey Holder winning the Tony Award for Best Costume Design and Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical.

Plot

The plot of The Wiz is based on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, with a few changes to the story and characters. The musical follows the journey of Dorothy Gale from Kansas to the Land of Oz, where she meets the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion. Along the way, she encounters the Wicked Witch of the West, Evillene, and the Good Witch of the North, Glinda. The musical features a range of characters, including Uncle Henry, Aunt Em, and the Munchkins, with music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls that blend gospel music, soul music, and funk music. The story is a classic tale of friendship and perseverance, with Dorothy Gale and her friends facing various challenges on their journey to the Emerald City and the Wiz.

Music

The music of The Wiz was written by Charlie Smalls, with a range of styles and genres, including gospel music, soul music, and funk music. The musical features a number of hit songs, including Ease on Down the Road, What Would I Do If I Could Feel, and Home. The music was arranged by Luther Henderson and Harold Wheeler, with Quincy Jones as the musical supervisor for the film adaptation of The Wiz, starring Diana Ross as Dorothy Gale and Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow. The musical was also performed at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, with Patti LaBelle as Evillene and Peabo Bryson as the Scarecrow.

Characters

The characters in The Wiz are based on those in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, with a few changes and additions. The main characters include Dorothy Gale, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion, as well as the Wicked Witch of the West, Evillene, and the Good Witch of the North, Glinda. The musical also features a range of supporting characters, including Uncle Henry, Aunt Em, and the Munchkins, with André De Shields as the Wiz and Mabel King as Evillene. The characters were portrayed by a range of actors, including Stephanie Mills, Hinton Battle, Tiger Haynes, and Ted Ross, with Thelma Carpenter as Aunt Em and Clarice Taylor as Glinda the Good Witch.

Adaptations and Legacy

The Wiz has been adapted into a number of different forms, including a film adaptation starring Diana Ross as Dorothy Gale and Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow. The musical has also been performed at a range of venues, including the Apollo Theater in Harlem and the National Theatre in London. The Wiz has had a significant impact on African American culture and the Broadway theater, with a range of Tony Awards and other honors. The musical has been performed by a range of companies, including the New York Shakespeare Festival and the National Theatre, with George Faison as the choreographer and Geoffrey Holder as the director. The Wiz has also been referenced in a range of other works, including The Simpsons and Scrubs, with Tina Turner as Aunt Em in the film adaptation of The Wiz.

Reception

The Wiz was a critical and commercial success, with seven Tony Awards and a range of other honors. The musical was praised for its innovative blend of gospel music, soul music, and funk music, as well as its vibrant costumes and sets. The Wiz was also praised for its positive portrayal of African American characters and culture, with a range of African American actors and creative team members involved in the production. The musical has been performed at a range of venues, including the Majestic Theatre and the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, with André De Shields as the Wiz and Mabel King as Evillene. The Wiz has had a lasting impact on the Broadway theater and African American culture, with a range of adaptations and references in other works, including The Muppets and Saturday Night Live, with Whoopi Goldberg as Glinda the Good Witch in a Broadway revival of The Wiz.

Category:Musicals