The pre-Broadway national tour of “The Wiz” kicks off in Baltimore at the Hippodrome Theater from September 23-30, 2023, with a limited Broadway engagement planned for spring of 2024. The original musical “The Wiz: A Super Soul Musical” made its world premiere 50 years ago at the Morris A. Mechanic Theater in Baltimore in 1974. It then ran on Broadway for four years after winning seven Tony Awards including Best Musical. A national tour followed in 1978. The show was revived on Broadway in 1984, toured in 1992, and has been presented in several different international productions, concert versions, a movie musical, and a television special.
The producers held a press conference on August 7, 2023, at the Hippodrome to preview the show. They stated that this new production of “The Wiz” was the first show to take advantage of new state tax benefits and praised the city and state for welcoming the show. They mentioned the ongoing restoration of the Hippodrome and announced that the cast and creative team would spend about three weeks in Baltimore rehearsing in September before the show opens.
“The Wiz,” with music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls and a book by William F. Brown, is based on “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum. This new production will have added material by Amber Ruffin and music supervisor Joseph Joubert will infuse the songs with new arrangements and orchestrations, adding jazz and modern pop to the soul, gospel, rock and 70s funk sound of the original. Mr. Joubert told me that the song “Wonder, Wonder, Why,” not used in the original production, will be restored. Jacquel Knight will choreograph it all, from tornado to Emerald City ballet. Interesting biographical information on the creative team (Hannah Beachler, scenic design; Ryan O’Gara, lighting design; Sharen Davis, costume design; and Mia Neal, wig design) and cast can be found on the website.
The producers and the director, Schele Williams, reminisced about their first experiences seeing the show. They emphasized how important it was for African-American children to see an opportunity to be on the musical stage but also to embrace the theme of facing challenges as a community; to make the connection between an American fantasy and urban pride; and, in the words of former New York Times theatre critic Frank Rich, to witness a “fervent expression of black self-respect” and the broad inspirational message of believing in yourself.
Casting has been completed, although the actors playing the parts of Dorothy and Addaperle were not yet announced. Melody Betts, who will play Aunt Em and Evillene, sang “Believe In Yourself” (which has become the show’s theme) with piano accompaniment. Her voice is strong, forceful, and has an amazing range. She left the small audience almost breathless.
Olive Waxter, the executive director of the Hippodrome Foundation, announced that 900 Baltimore City students would be given tickets to the show in keeping with the foundation’s purpose of including access to theater arts for young people.
The press conference ended with the introduction of Dawn Moore, the wife of Gov. Wes Moore, who graciously welcomed the production staff to Baltimore. She mentioned that she saw the show in New York with her parents as a child and how much it affected her. So “ease on down the road” and get your tickets because it’s a brand new day for “The Wiz.”
“The Wiz” runs September 23-30, 2023 at The Hippodrome Theatre, 12 North Eutaw Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. For more information at tickets, go online.
