The Wiz returning to Bway in 2023 after National Tour — Page 3

I'm not saying this means anything, but Myles Frost just promoted the revival on his Instagram stories...

joevitus said: "Ke3 said: "CarlosAlberto said: "Ke3 said: "Quinta is 32. Diana's performance in The Wiz has become iconic in the Black community, but that doesn't mean it was the right casting decision then nor would an "older" actress be right now.

To Tag's point, Deborah Cox could be a funEvilene or Glinda. Whitney Houston would've been lovely as either but alas. Grace Jones did a strange two week run in some West Coast production in the 90s. If they could get her again I'd go even if they staged it with shadow puppets."

Okay, let's get one thing straight: "Dorothy" in the stage version of "The Wiz" is a YOUNG GIRL as she was in Baum's original story not some insecure 24 year old kindergarten teacher."

I'm aware. That's why I said it wasn't the right casting decision then or now."

I kinda sorta disagree with you guys. For the stage production, yes. You want an actress somewhere in her 20's who can play younger (I imagine the Dorothy of The Wiz to be about 14/15).

But I think the idea the film played with, of an older Dorothy who needs not to stay at home with her relatives but to get out into the world, is appealing. Kinda makes hash of "Home," I guess, but Lena Horne's Glinda redefines what home is. I wouldn't want a stage production to emulate it, but I think it was an interesting concept for the movie.

FWIW, this is the first time ever I've heard anyone of any race say Ross's performance is iconic for the Black community."

Well, the entire film is pretty iconic in Black households, and by extension, the performances. I saw The Wiz long before I first saw The Wizard of Oz.

Ke3 said: "joevitus said: "Ke3 said: "CarlosAlberto said: "Ke3 said: "Quinta is 32. Diana's performance in The Wiz has become iconic in the Black community, but that doesn't mean it was the right casting decision then nor would an "older" actress be right now.

To Tag's point, Deborah Cox could be a funEvilene or Glinda. Whitney Houston would've been lovely as either but alas. Grace Jones did a strange two week run in some West Coast production in the 90s. If they could get her again I'd go even if they staged it with shadow puppets."

Okay, let's get one thing straight: "Dorothy" in the stage version of "The Wiz" is a YOUNG GIRL as she was in Baum's original story not some insecure 24 year old kindergarten teacher."

I'm aware. That's why I said it wasn't the right casting decision then or now."

I kinda sorta disagree with you guys. For the stage production, yes. You want an actress somewhere in her 20's who can play younger (I imagine the Dorothy of The Wiz to be about 14/15).

But I think the idea the film played with, of an older Dorothy who needs not to stay at home with her relatives but to get out into the world, is appealing. Kinda makes hash of "Home," I guess, but Lena Horne's Glinda redefines what home is. I wouldn't want a stage production to emulate it, but I think it was an interesting concept for the movie.

FWIW, this is the first time ever I've heard anyone of any race say Ross's performance is iconic for the Black community."

Well, the entire film is pretty iconic in Black households, and by extension, the performances. I saw The Wiz long before I first saw The Wizard of Oz."

I can't argue with you, obviously, but I know a lot of Black people, and most of them, to my knowledge, have never even seen The Wiz. Literally only one Black friend has ever mentioned it. And I often hang out at a piano bar where guys will frequently sing "Home" or "Be a Lion." And that friend was someone way back in high school who thought very little of the movie because she and her family had seen the show onstage. 

So this is news to me. I have zero problem with it. I saw the movie when it was released, owned it on VHS and own it now on DVD. I'm just surprised.

Updated On: 12/2/22 at 04:25 PM

I would love to see Deborah Cox involved as one of the witches. She has been known to tour before with both JEKYLL & HYDE and THE BODYGUARD.

It is interesting that this is touring first then coming to Broadway for a limited run. I just really hope the physical production isn't a cheap bus and truck looking design...

bwayphreak234 said: "I would love to see Deborah Cox involved as one of the witches. She has been known to tour before with both JEKYLL & HYDE and THE BODYGUARD."

I think Deborah Cox would make an excellent Glinda the Good.

CarlosAlberto said: "joevitus said:
"I can't argue with you, obviously, but I know a lot of Black people, and most of them, to my knowledge, have never even seen The Wiz. Literally only one Black friend has ever mentioned it. And I often hang out at a piano bar where guys will frequently sing "Home" or "Be a Lion." And that friend was someone way back in high school who thought very little of the movie because she and her family had seen the show onstage.

So this is news to me. I have zero problem with it. I saw the movie when it was released, owned it on VHS and own it now on DVD. I'm just surprised."

Well, I am here to tell you that the Black people I know and grew up with know and love "The Wiz". It's their "Sound of Music"."

Ok. Not disagreeing with either of you. Just not my experience. As I said, I grew up with the movie. If it has more fans than I assumed, I'm certainly ok with that. 

jlindsey865 said: "Also, is a national tour ending in a Broadway run typical? I always thought it was the other way around lol"

In the modern era, no. BRING IT ON and JEKYLL & HYDE are two that come to mind. 

Six did a small tour before Broadway as well iirc

Kandi (from Real Housewives of Atlanta and Xscape) posted on her IG about an open call in Atlanta for dancers and singers. Is she involved? Would love to see her perform but she’s probably just a producer? 

Deborah Cox is involved in the current workshop as Glinda. Hoping she does the tour and Broadway! 

To me, it seems an odd schedule to play a ton of major cities and all these major markets before Broadway. 

I feel like this is the Jekyll and Hyde tour all over again