THE WIZ will be 2009 Encores! Summer Stars — Page 3

I know. LaChanze is GORGEOUS. I cannot believe how old she is. The same with Anika.

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did anyone read this article? apparently, Gypsy is still on Broadway lol

"Its first production, the critically acclaimed Gypsy starring Patti LuPone, is currently having a successful run on Broadway."

EDIT: not the playbill article, the one posted by BWW

Updated On: 2/25/09 at 11:16 AM

I get a kick out of "young'ins" gasping at how good LaChanze and Anika Noni Rose look for their ages. It's as if you expected someone who's 36 or 47 to look old, wrinkly and wasted. 36 and 47 is not old at all.

^We keep tryin' to tell y'all--now do y'all believe black don't crack??

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Updated On: 2/26/09 at 01:54 AM

Now, while "good black don't crack," there MUST be limitations.

I think that this is a great opportunity to show off the stand out African-American performers that we have here in New York.

I will say that I do have some reservations. The Wiz is a very hard show to get 'right' and accurate to the 70s, but still have it work for a modern audience. I think bring in the minds behind 'Heights' is a great start.

First off, I will say, yes, PLEASE keep Titus Burgess away from this!

Potential Dorothys?? Well.. first of all, I must say that I thought Nikki James was a great Dorothy in and of herself, but was weighed down by McAnuff's horrible direction. I don't think the actual age of the actress is vital as long as she can pull it off and look young. Diana Ross proved that Dorothy can not be of a 'certain age.'

If I had to list a few great Dorothys that are in the pool out there.....

Nikki James
Dequina Moore
Moeshia McGill
Felicia Boswell
Felicia Curry
Anastacia McClesky
Nikki Renee Daniels
Domonique Paton
Carla Duren
Amina S. Robinson
Naturi Naughton

There you go.. I listed more than 10.. and I had to stop myself. Anika Noni Rose would be great, but would now be borderline in age..

Chester Gregory once played Tinman.. he'd be great as any of the three friends.

Audra would be best suited to Glinda, should they approach her to participate. I'd rather they go with Phylicia Rashad, who understudied that role in the original cast.

Capathia Jenkins would be a great Evelline.. if they couldn't get Jennifer Holliday, who would be FREIGHTENING.. great, but freightening.. or Jenifer Lewis even..

Stephanie Mills could have a great cameo as Aunt Em or Addaperle

Darlene Love would be a killer Addaperle.. absolutely stunning..

Sheryl Lee Ralph or Leslie Uggams anyone?

SO many people..

I think the Wiz is a show that could allow for great projection design to augment the limited sets....

Though I want to suggest ONE thing right now....

BILLY PORTER AS EVELLINE!

Updated On: 2/26/09 at 07:50 AM

Who's Billy Poter?

What is wrong with Tituss Burgess? His voice is AMAHZING and he's crazy talented. Basically why do people not like him?

"LaChanze was 45 when this photo was taken"


She looks like a teen who could play Dorthy

There are tons of great casting possibilities.

Personally, I'd love to see:

Anika Noni Rose as Dorothy
Jennifer Holliday as Evillene
Gladys Knight as Glinda
Ben Vereen as The Wiz
Daniel Breaker as The Scarecrow
Brandon Victor Dixon as The Tinman
Chester Gregory as The Lion
Michael Benjamin Washington as Addapearle

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Updated On: 2/28/09 at 12:39 PM

Um, the star name doesn't have to be Dorothy, you know? The star name in 'Annie' is usually Hannigan.. not Annie herself..

But even so, I'm having a hard time thinking of a star they'd cast in it.

Hmm...interesting.

Anyone think of Vanessa Williams for this? I know the response to her Witch in Into the Woods was very divided, but I think she could make an impressive Glinda--sure, she's no Lena Horne, but she has what they're looking for, star power. Plus, she'll have her summer free for the UGLY BETTY hiatus.