The Wiz returning to Bway in 2023 after National Tour - Page 4

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 5/11/23 at 12:31am

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

 

It’s one of the most tired and true traditions of the golden age of Broadway, so not sure why it’s a shock. Have times and economics changed? Yes! But this isn’t a shocking model by any means…

the director still getting work is what should be shocking people. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 5/11/23 at 12:11pm

QueenAlice said: "Isn't the idea that a show can more or less recoup by touring first before hitting Broadway? It's a model we haven't seen in a while, but I know has been done successfully in the past. It just seems odd to me that a major Broadway bound production would play less than one week in so many major cities."

Yes, that's the goal. The recoupment model is much better for touring than Broadway. And with revivals having such a mixed track record for recoupment, it's a good strategy. To that end, I'm kind of surprised this doesn't happen more often.

Keep in mind also that the tour cast might not be the same as the Broadway cast.

 

"mostly runs less than one week"

I'm not seeing ANY market scheduled for less than 6 days (aka, one week). Weeklong runs are extremely common outside of the major markets. Keep a tight ticket and they can always come back post-Broadway if the tour resumes.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 5/11/23 at 7:04pm

joevitus said: "jlindsey865 said: "I wonder if Jennifer Hudson would do this. I know she has her talk show now (which I assume films in LA), so it might be difficult.

Would love to see her as either Evillene or Glinda.

Also, I've been following the production of The Wizard of Oz at the Curve (which I'm kind of obsessed with). I could see Georgina Onuorah who plays Dorothy in that production being a good fit.

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

I can see Hudson as a magnificent Evillene; I can't see her as Glinda."

I think it’s moot.  Why would she take such a small role in what sounds like it is going to be a cheap b&t production.  Makes no sense.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 6/1/23 at 11:38am

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Kyle-Ramar-Freeman-Phillip-Johnson-Richardson-Avery-Wilson-Join-THE-WIZ-Cast-20230601

[silent]

Posted: 6/1/23 at 11:43am

Avery Wilson can sang! I don’t know why I had a feeling beforehand that he would be apart of this! 

[joevitus]

Posted: 6/1/23 at 11:59am

Please oh please oh please let there be a cast recording! Let it contain "Pssst" "Funky Monkeys" "Who Do You Think You Are?" and "A Rested Body is a Rested Mind." 

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 6/1/23 at 12:43pm

Very excited for Kyle Ramar Freeman!  Did they say anywhere for sure if they're going with an unknown for Dorothy, which is what I assume they'd be doing?

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 6/1/23 at 12:49pm

joevitus said: "Please oh please oh please let there be a cast recording! Let it contain "Pssst" "Funky Monkeys" "Who Do You Think You Are?" and "A Rested Body is a Rested Mind.""

Do we know for sure those are being included in the revised show?

Those are among the most cuttable songs from THE WIZ.

[quizking101]

Posted: 6/1/23 at 1:23pm

KYLE RAMAR FREEMAN!!!!!

[morosco]

Posted: 6/1/23 at 3:12pm

Please oh please oh please let there be a cast recording! Let it contain "Pssst" "Funky Monkeys" "Who Do You Think You Are?" and "A Rested Body is a Rested Mind." 

And the overture!

[joevitus]

Posted: 6/1/23 at 4:39pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "joevitus said: "Please oh please oh please let there be a cast recording! Let it contain "Pssst" "Funky Monkeys" "Who Do You Think You Are?" and "A Rested Body is a Rested Mind.""

Do we know for sure those are being included in the revised show?

Those are among the most cuttable songs from THE WIZ."

I didn't mean to imply anyone did or didn't know this "for sure." It's my wish that there will be a recording and that these songs are included. They haven't been captured at all beyond bootlegs of variable quality, and I would like to have a recording of the complete score. I happen to think "A Rested Body is a Rested Mind" is a terrific song.

[Alex M]

Posted: 6/1/23 at 4:46pm

Happy to see Kyle Ramar Freeman keeping up work with The Strange Loop West End run and now this!

[sarcadam88]

Posted: 6/1/23 at 9:10pm

This version of the show was previously mounted by the MUNY in 2018 and all of these were cut, along with the Wiz’s Believe in Yourself. The Emerald City sequence had new music and You Can’t Win was slotted into the Scarecrow/Crows scene (I Was Born… was weirdly shoehorned into the beginning of Act 2). I assume those changes will carry over here.

[uncageg]

Posted: 6/2/23 at 12:29am

morosco said: "Please oh please oh please let there be a cast recording! Let it contain "Pssst" "Funky Monkeys" "Who Do You Think You Are?" and "A Rested Body is a Rested Mind."

And the overture!"

 

I still sing "Who Do You Think You Are" to this day. I loved that song. Saw the show once at The Majestic and twice at the Broadway.

 

[Voter]

Posted: 6/2/23 at 10:51am

I get really excited for this show and then I remember Schele Williams is directing and get disappointed all over again....... 

[joevitus]

Posted: 6/2/23 at 6:06pm

sarcadam88 said: "This version of the show was previously mounted by the MUNY in 2018 and all of these were cut, along with the Wiz’s Believe in Yourself. The Emerald City sequence had new music and You Can’t Win was slotted into the Scarecrow/Crows scene (I Was Born… was weirdly shoehorned into the beginning of Act 2). I assume those changes will carry over here."

Well, that's depressing. 

[Impeach2017]

Posted: 6/3/23 at 1:54pm

joevitus said: "sarcadam88 said: "This version of the show was previously mounted by the MUNY in 2018 and all of these were cut, along with the Wiz’s Believe in Yourself. The Emerald City sequence had new music and You Can’t Win was slotted into the Scarecrow/Crows scene (I Was Born… was weirdly shoehorned into the beginning of Act 2). I assume those changes will carry over here."

Well, that's depressing."

Who knows?  They could surprise us on their road to Broadway.  

[nativenewyorker2]

Posted: 6/3/23 at 7:55pm

I wonder if they will add We Got It as the act one finale

[Plannietink08]

Posted: 6/7/23 at 10:10am

Wayne Brady is The Wiz on Broadway and Alan Mingo Jr is The Wiz on tour.

Updated On: 6/7/23 at 10:10 AM

[Brady_Schwind]

Posted: 6/7/23 at 10:23am

I'm not sure why we should believe the production at the Muny in 2018 would have much bearing on the upcoming tour or Broadway production. It's a different director and creative team. It's also a very different time.

[Alex M]

Posted: 6/7/23 at 10:33am

Plannietink08 said: "Wayne Brady is The Wiz on Broadway and Alan Mingo Jr is The Wiz on tour."

https://www.theatermania.com/news/wayne-brady-to-play-the-wiz-on-broadway_1704832/

This also confirms The Wiz will be on broadway next Spring with Brady as The Wiz. I wonder what theatre they will be taking!

Updated On: 6/7/23 at 10:33 AM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/7/23 at 6:27pm

Mingo Jr. will probably be Brady's standby or eventual alternate on Broadway. Brady never had good attendance in either Chicago, Kinky Boots or Hamilton(Chicago).

 

Newly announced is casting for the title role. Wayne Brady (Hamilton) and Alan Mingo Jr. (Kinky Boots) will share the role of the Wiz, with Brady handling the tour's San Francisco and Los Angeles engagements and Mingo Jr. the other stops. Brady will also play the role when the production comes to Broadway in Spring 2024, with a theatre and specific dates to be announced.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 6/13/23 at 9:31am

Well this is exciting! I absolutely LOVE Deborah Cox, and I think she will be fabulous. She's toured in the past with Jekyll & Hyde and The Bodyguard. This role will obviously be much smaller, but I'm still thrilled.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Deborah-Cox-and-Melody-A-Betts-Join-THE-WIZ-on-Broadway-and-Tour-20230613

[RippedMan]

Posted: 6/13/23 at 9:34am

I’ll go see Cox for sure! Sad we aren’t getting Brady in Chicago, but excited to see the overall production. 

[Plannietink08]

Posted: 6/13/23 at 9:40am

I was hoping Stephanie Mills would join the show as Aunt Em and/or one of the witches!