Since its 1975 Broadway debut as “the super soul musical,” it has won seven Tony Awards and spawned such stars as Stephanie Mills, Hinton Battle, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Andre De Shields. in the Oscar-nominated screen adaptation starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson, among others. in his songs such as “Ease on Down the Road”, “Home” and “Believe”, The Wiz has become a modern classical musical theater — and in its retelling The Wizard of Oz through the lens of Black culture and music, a landmark in Broadway history.
However, the show has only had one official Broadway revival, in 1984, which ran for a grand total of 20 performances — so far. An important new production of The Wiz It stars the Marquis Theater and four of its star cast and creative team — actors Wayne Brady and Deborah Cox. choreographer JaQuel Knight; and writer Amber Ruffin, who created additional material working with the series' original book — recently stopped by Billboard News to talk about why the show is still groundbreaking and hugely entertaining for audiences.
For all four, The Wiz it was a formative show, influencing their career paths in entertainment and showing what was possible for black artists. “He was one of the drivers that made me go, 'Oh, I think I can do this,'” Brady says.
“The film was just life-changing – it allowed me to see life as a choreographer and understand the essence and energy of movement,” adds Knight, known for his work with major pop artists including Beyoncé, Megan Thee Stallion , Zara Larsson, J. Balvin and more.
For Ruffin, The Wiz it was “a real introduction to black queerness unconnected to black pain…The Wiz it's what gives you permission to be your most artistic, weirdest self and do whatever's in your weird little heart.”
Brady, who has starred in previous Broadway productions including; Kinky Boots and Chicago, plays the title showman, while R&B veteran Cox displays vocal fireworks as Glinda. Both of them are talking The WizIts enduring importance as a universally welcoming show — and proof that Broadway can continue to diversify and evolve.
“This show is a testament to what you can do when you show black people and black culture not as a monolith,” says Cox. “We're all from it, and we're the beginning of it, and I think this show is the beginning of what you're going to see a lot more of on Broadway.” Adds Brady: “It's a real showcase of Black excellence in every form. It's so rich.”
To hear what else Brady, Cox, Knight and Ruffin had to say, watch the video above.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/the-wiz-broadway-video-interview-1235679445/