THE WIZ will be 2009 Encores! Summer Stars

[being.jeremiah]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:23pm

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/126631.html

[being.jeremiah]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:24pm

"The New York Times reports that the modern retelling of "Wonderful Wizard of Oz" — featuring an African-American cast — will play the famed New York venue June 12-July 3."

Thomas Kail directs. Andy Blankenbuehler choreographs.

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:25pm

hopefully this will turn into a full scale revival

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:29pm

!!!

I am def. making a trip this summer, even if it's for a weekend to see this.

Hopefully, Titus will be busy with Guys and Dolls and can't get anywhere near this.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:31pm

The HEIGHTS team?
Yes please!

(Crosses fingers for Audra MacDonald, Andre Ward, Norm Lewis, Daniel Breaker...)

[Jon]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:33pm

Audra as who? Glinda?

I hope you are not suggesting a mid-30's Dorothy.

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:35pm

Diana Ross was 34 when she did the movie...

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:36pm

Audra is too...Julliard. My personal cast choice:
Anika Noni Rose - Dorothy
Loretta Devine - Addaperle
Sheryl Lee Ralph - Glinda
Phylicia Rashad - Aunt Em
Jennifer Holliday - Evilenne
Norm Lewis - The Wiz

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:37pm

"Diana Ross was 34 when she did the movie..."

And we saw what THAT was. (I still lurve it though)

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:38pm

yeah, it wasn't too hot lol
I think Audra looks younger than she actually is

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:39pm

Yea, but again, she's too trained, her voice isn't...soulful.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:43pm

Ooooo! Changed my mind! Anika would be freakin' awesome!

Dorothy: Anika Noni Rose
The Scarecrow: Chester Gregory II
The Lion: Norm Lewis
The Tin Man: Daniel Breaker
The Wiz: Hinton Battle
Glinda: Kecia Lewis-Evans
Evilene: Lillias White

[Broadwayboy2631]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:43pm

Audra could give more soul to her voice. She can also sh*t out rainbows and find a cure for cancer. She's that fierce.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 1:12pm

What a great choice for the summer! With the right cast this will be amazing.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 1:15pm

I say Diana Ross gives us an encore.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 1:22pm

I'd love to see Anika as Dorothy, but you do realize she's 36, don't you? she reads much younger than that, but still.

[Sauja]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 1:22pm

Forget Diana Ross. I want Michael Jackson back as the scarecrow!

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 1:27pm

Wow, and to think that just 5 years ago she was playing a teenager. She really doesn't look 36 at all.

[Justin_Hall]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 1:30pm

Not a huge fan of The Wiz, but Audra could sing a grocery list and I'd be there.

[Jon]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 1:37pm

Recent tours and other productions have had one actress double as Aunt Em and Glinda.

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 1:39pm

Recent? They were doing that as far back as the second national tour of the show.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 1:54pm

Nikki Rene Daniels
PLEASE

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 1:56pm

The double casting of Glinda/Aunt Em feels awkward to me, and for this production, I can see it staying seperate.

I was not a fan of Daniels' Dorothy either.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 2:18pm

I bet it will be Anika as Dorothy.

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 2:23pm

Shoshana Bean!



I kid :)