THE WIZ National Tour and Broadway Discussion Thread
THE WIZ National Tour and Broadway Discussion Thread
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/13/06
THE WIZ National Tour and Broadway Discussion Thread#1
Posted: 9/18/23 at 11:48am
Everybody look around! The Tony Award®-winning Best Musical that took the world by storm is back. THE WIZ returns “home” to stages across America in an all-new Broadway-bound tour, the first one in 40 years. The tour begins in THE WIZ’s original home city of Baltimore, where the show made its world premiere 50 years ago, this weekend beginning Saturday, September 23.
Deborah Cox's Glinda costume:
THE WIZ National Tour and Broadway Discussion Thread#2
Posted: 9/18/23 at 12:12pm
I'm surprised this isn't confirmed yet to be taking the Lunt after Sweeney Todd closes in January.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/13/06
THE WIZ National Tour and Broadway Discussion Thread#3
Posted: 9/18/23 at 12:25pm
I'm hearing it might be at the Marquis, but we will see!
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/14/05
THE WIZ National Tour and Broadway Discussion Thread#4
Posted: 9/18/23 at 12:27pm
Gorgeous design. I hope this gets Kandi her EGOT she's going for.
THE WIZ National Tour and Broadway Discussion Thread#5
Posted: 9/18/23 at 12:28pm
ACL2006 said: "I'm surprised this isn't confirmed yet to be taking the Lunt after Sweeney Todd closes in January."
Do we know for sure that's when Sweeney Todd is closing?
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
THE WIZ National Tour and Broadway Discussion Thread#6
Posted: 9/18/23 at 12:31pm
Dylan Smith4 said: "Do we know for sure that's when Sweeney Todd is closing?"
Think it would be foolish to try to replace Groban, especially if they recoup this fall as anticipated.
Go out on a high note. Maybe Groban would like to do it in London and/or step into a few major tour stops (LA?)
THE WIZ National Tour and Broadway Discussion Thread#7
Posted: 9/18/23 at 12:33pm
Dylan Smith4 said: "ACL2006 said: "I'm surprised this isn't confirmed yet to be taking the Lunt after Sweeney Todd closes in January."
Do we know for sure that's when Sweeney Todd is closing?"
None of the leads are extending and there's been zero rumors about replacements. I'd say it's all but guaranteed to be closing in January.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/13/06
THE WIZ National Tour and Broadway Discussion Thread#8
Posted: 9/18/23 at 12:36pm
(Annaleigh dials up her friend Jake Gyllenhaal:) Hey, are you busy?
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
THE WIZ National Tour and Broadway Discussion Thread#9
Posted: 9/18/23 at 12:37pm
RippedMan said: "Gorgeous design. I hope this gets Kandi her EGOT she's going for."
She needs to actually WIN these awards to earn an EGOT status. She’s only a Grammy Award winner. No Oscar nomination and only nominated for an Emmy and Tony Award. 
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/14/05
THE WIZ National Tour and Broadway Discussion Thread#10
Posted: 9/18/23 at 12:45pm
I know, ha. But it's become a storyline that she wants an EGOT so bad. I think can get there with producing.
THE WIZ National Tour and Broadway Discussion Thread#11
Posted: 9/18/23 at 10:01pm
ACL2006 said: "I'm surprised this isn't confirmed yet to be taking the Lunt after Sweeney Todd closes in January."
I heard that Tommy is taking the Lunt and Wiz is taking the St. James so we'll see?
THE WIZ National Tour and Broadway Discussion Thread#12
Posted: 9/18/23 at 10:16pm
Robbie2 said: "ACL2006 said: "I'm surprised this isn't confirmed yet to be taking the Lunt after Sweeney Todd closes in January."
I heard that Tommy is taking the Lunt and Wiz is taking the St. James so we'll see?"
Um… I though Spamalot is going to the St. James
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/30/17
THE WIZ National Tour and Broadway Discussion Thread#13
Posted: 9/18/23 at 10:24pm
Tickets on sale through April on the Spamalot website at St. James. It may not last that long without stars.
THE WIZ National Tour and Broadway Discussion Thread#14
Posted: 9/18/23 at 10:27pm
Dylan Smith4 said: "Robbie2 said: "ACL2006 said: "I'm surprised this isn't confirmed yet to be taking the Lunt after Sweeney Todd closes in January."
I heard that Tommy is taking the Lunt and Wiz is taking the St. James so we'll see?"
Um… I though Spamalot is going to the St. James"
It is but heard after Spamalot the St. James after Wiz LA tour in April so we shall see what ends up happening?
THE WIZ National Tour and Broadway Discussion Thread#15
Posted: 9/19/23 at 6:49pm
One week from today the tour opens in Baltimore
https://wizmusical.com/
THE WIZ National Tour and Broadway Discussion Thread#16
Posted: 9/19/23 at 9:17pm
Are they cutting Adaperle and giving He’s the Wiz to Glinda?
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/14/04
THE WIZ National Tour and Broadway Discussion Thread#17
Posted: 9/20/23 at 7:20am
nativenewyorker2 said: "Are they cutting Adaperle and giving He’s the Wiz to Glinda?
"
I hope so. No reason to have so many different characters singing one song and then basically disappearing. I know the source material is episodic like that, but it doesn’t make much sense in terms of musical structure and narrative.
THE WIZ National Tour and Broadway Discussion Thread#18
Posted: 9/20/23 at 8:07am
I can't wait to see what the set looks like.
THE WIZ National Tour and Broadway Discussion Thread#19
Posted: 9/20/23 at 9:00am
Except the song “He’s The Wiz” really doesn’t suit the character of Glinda.
THE WIZ National Tour and Broadway Discussion Thread#20
Posted: 9/20/23 at 9:09am
And eliminates the intent of meeting Glinda, the person who carries the show message about home being inside all of us. Glinda singing He’s the Wiz is the complete opposite of that. I love The Wiz, but man, is it’s book an all-time mess for me.
Broadway Star Joined: 3/21/07
THE WIZ National Tour and Broadway Discussion Thread#21
Posted: 9/20/23 at 9:55am
Judith Franklin has a picture on her Instagram holding her script that says she’s the understudy for “Glinda & Addaperle,” so the role is definitely in the show. Perhaps it’s now a dual role and Deborah Cox will do both? Maybe they’re trying to keep that a surprise until opening? I have no clue. Guess we’ll find out next week! I’m excited!
THE WIZ National Tour and Broadway Discussion Thread#22
Posted: 9/20/23 at 4:45pm
Very excited for this and just bought Tickets for San Francisco Pre Broadway engagement that will have full Broadway cast with Wayne Brady stepping in as the Wizard!
THE WIZ National Tour and Broadway Discussion Thread#23
Posted: 9/20/23 at 6:12pm
Rentaholic2 said: "nativenewyorker2 said: "Are they cutting Adaperle and giving He’s the Wiz to Glinda?
"
I hope so. No reason to have so many different characters singing one song and then basically disappearing. I know the source material is episodic like that, but it doesn’t make much sense in terms of musical structure and narrative"
I saw the original Broadway production 3 times. I had no problem with it. Plus, we got to see all of the living witches which we didn't see in the original movie (And re-named for The Wiz musical movie as Miss One). If I am not mistaken, The Wiz sticks to where the witches are from in the books. I think Glinda is from the South. In the movie I think she was from the North.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/14/04
THE WIZ National Tour and Broadway Discussion Thread#24
Posted: 9/21/23 at 12:07pm
uncageg said: "Rentaholic2 said: "nativenewyorker2 said: "Are they cutting Adaperle and giving He’s the Wiz to Glinda?
"
I hope so. No reason to have so many different characters singing one song and then basically disappearing. I know the source material is episodic like that, but it doesn’t make much sense in terms of musical structure and narrative"
I saw the original Broadway production 3 times. I had no problem with it. Plus, we got to see all of the living witches which we didn't see in the original movie (And re-named for The Wiz musical movie as Miss One). If I am not mistaken, The Wiz sticks to where the witches are from in the books. I think Glinda is from the South. In the movie I think she was from the North.
"
Fair enough. Maybe it's not so much an issue with the amount of characters as it is the amount of actors with not much to do. I can't think of any other musicals that have four different characters that each have one big song and then maybe only appear one other time. So just from a practical standpoint, I like the idea of double casting the roles and giving two performers much more to do.
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/2/13
THE WIZ National Tour and Broadway Discussion Thread#25
Posted: 9/21/23 at 12:47pm
Rentaholic2 said:
I can't think of any other musicals that have four different characters that each have one big song and then maybe only appear one other time.
Cats?
Videos
