The Wiz returning to Bway in 2023 after National Tour

Maybe this will reopen The Palace?

I was hoping for a lavish/immersive Wiz revival but knowing this production is made to tour has me worried. 

Dream Cast:

Jai'len Christine Li Josey as Dorthy 

Alex Newell as Evillene (If they are done with Shucked)

Jaquel Spivey as The Lion

Myles Frost as The Scarecrow or Tin Man

Updated On: 12/1/22 at 12:07 PM

I want John-Andrew Morrison as the Lion

Yeah, knowing this is going to be designed with a tour in mind is not thrilling. The original had great design and the film had ICONIC visual language. We'll see.

Jai'Len would be great, but she's not interested in doing Broadway at the moment. On top of gearing up for first album she's placed songs with pretty big R&B names through her publishing deal. Hailey Kilgore would also be great, but she has a TV show and is also trying to be an artist.

I think they should do a nationwide search and find someone new. Have an ASIB moment.

I'm not falling for this after the Wiz Live on NBC didn't live up to it's precursor for a Broadway revivial with Cirque Du Solei

troynow said: "Also, I love the model, tour the show, make a little money, pay the investors come in to Broadway kinks worked out. That is a smart producing team."

That's what a lot of shows used to do...the original runs of Oliver and Angela Lansbury's Gypsy come to mind. 

Who is producing? At one point it was Shubert and Neil Meron, and at some point I believe Brian Moreland also joined the team. 

Tag said: "This is a 'we'll believe it when we see it' announcement.

But if it happens, I'd love to see Fantasia as Evillene (but she'll hopefully be busy in early 2024 with Oscar stuff)"

Also, much too small a role, especially if Color Purple is well received.

I saw this in 1975 and loved it.  I have seen it several times since and have always been underwhelmed.  I have often felt that The Wiz opened at the right time.  Subsequent productions seem dated and highlighted the fact that the score is not great, although there are some good songs.  Unless they pull out all the stops and have incredible staging and production values, I will be really surprised if this is a hit.

If anyone questions whether it has dated badly, you just have to remember what you thought of the production on TV 5 or so years ago.  It was awful, and the source material was a sizable part of the blame.

I like the idea of a newcomer as Dorothy with solid names in the supporting roles, but I guess one of the issues with this production model is negotiating who actually is willing to tour.  
Putting that aside, Myles Frost would be a cute hat tip to MJ as the Scarecrow, and I’ve been wondering what other roles he may do after leaving the show (if he continues in theater). 
 

Spitballing my Dreamcast:
Tiffany Mann could be an excellent Dorothy. 
I’d LOVE to have Tichina Arnold back as Evilene. 
Mykal Kilgore and James Monroe Iglehart would be great as Tin Man and Lion.
LaChanze or Patina Miller for Glinda? 
Brandon Victor Dixon as The Wiz

edit - YES! Sasha Allen would be amazing too. I would really love Billy Porter to stay far away from this. 

Aunt Em could be rotated with stunt casting? (starting with Stephanie Mills, Patti La Belle&hellip

Updated On: 12/1/22 at 04:28 PM

If only she wasnt going to be on a world tour at the exact same time. Lizzo would kill that role