The Tony Award®-winning “Best Musical” that took the world by storm is back and coming to Morgantown Oct. 16 at the WVU Canady Creative Arts Center.
“The Wiz” returns “home” to stages across America in an all-new tour.
This groundbreaking twist on “The Wizard of Oz” changed the face of Broadway. From its iconic score packed with soul, gospel, rock, and 70s funk to the stirring story of Dorothy’s journey to find her place in a contemporary world, this bold, joy-filled production brings a trailblazing spirit to a classic tale. “The Wiz” sizzles and soars with a Motown, gospel and disco infused score, featuring the now legendary anthems “Brand New Day,” “Ease on Down The Road,” and “Home.”
Beautifully reimagined for the stage, “The Wiz” is a full-throttle live experience featuring dazzling choreography, spectacular theatricality, and a vibrant vision of Oz for a new generation. It’s an electrifying celebration of music, movement and community, directed by Schele Williams (“The Notebook”), with choreography by JaQuel Knight (Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” and “Black Is King”). Tony®-nominated and Emmy®-nominated writer and TV host Amber Ruffin (“The Amber Ruffin Show” and “Late Night with Seth Meyers”) serves as writer of additional material and Grammy® and Emmy® Award nominee Joseph Joubert (Broadway’s “The Color Purple” and “Motown The Musical”) serves as music supervisor, orchestrator and music arranger.
The production also includes “Everybody Rejoice” with music and lyrics by Luther Vandross, as well as the “Emerald City Ballet,” with music by Timothy Graphenreed.
Based on L. Frank Baum’s children’s book, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” “The Wiz” takes one of the world’s most enduring (and enduringly white) American fantasies and transforms it into an all-Black musical extravaganza for the ages.
“The Wiz” premiered on Broadway in 1975 and became an instant sensation, going on to win seven Tony® Awards, including “Best Musical,” “Best Original Score,” “Best Featured Actor in a Musical” (Ted Ross), “Best Featured Actress in a Musical” (Dee Dee Bridgewater), “Best Choreography” (George Faison), and, in a Broadway first, “Best Direction of a Musical” and “Best Costume Design” (Geoffrey Holder). “Ease on Down the Road” became the show’s break-out single, and “Home” has since become a bona fide classic. That original production ran for four years (first at The Majestic Theatre and later at The Broadway Theatre)—and 1,672 performances—on Broadway. A 1978 film adaptation starred Diana Ross, Ted Ross, Mabel King, Richard Pryor and Lena Horne, and marked Quincy Jones’ first collaboration with Michael Jackson.
Tickets for “The Wiz” can be purchased online at go.wvu.edu/thewiz, by phone at 304-293-SHOW or in person at the box office located in the main lobby of the WVU Canady Creative Arts Center, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“The Wiz” is the fifth performance in the WVU University Arts Series, which brings nationally touring Broadway shows, renowned musicians, family favorites and elite dance troupes to Morgantown each year. This season features 15 events, including “Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol” in November and “Bluey’s Big Play” and “Hadestown” in the spring, among others. See the full schedule and buy tickets at go.wvu.edu/uas.