Brady, Grier, James, Washington and More to Star in The Wiz

By: Jul. 24, 2006
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Des McAnuff, fresh off a Best Musical Tony win for the Four Seasons musical Jersey Boys, today announced the cast of his highly anticipated re-imagination of the Tony Award-winning classic, The Wiz.  The show will begin previews September 26th, open on October 11th and run through November 12th at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego.

Based on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, with a book by William F. Brown, and music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls, McAnuff's Wiz is a major re-envisioning for the 21st century. "When The Wizard of Oz met the urban beat of the 1970s, history was made to the tune of seven Tony Awards. Now the young Dorothy travels to the strange and spectacular Land of Oz once again as McAnuff teams up with original Wiz orchestrator Harold Wheeler to create a re-imagined, multi-cultural musical phenomenon for a new century," state press notes.

The production will star Wayne Brady ("The Wayne Brady Show," Chicago) as Scarecrow, David Alan Grier ("In Living Color," ...Forum) as The Wiz, Nikki M. James (All Shook Up, Bernarda Alba) as Dorothy, Titus Burgess (Jersey Boys) as Lion, Michael Benjamin Washington (Mamma Mia!, La Cage aux Follies) as Tinman, five-time Jefferson Award-winner E. Faye Butler (Dinah Was) as Evillene, Heather Lee (Gypsy) as Addaperle, Orville Mendoza (Pacific Overtures) as Uncle Henry, and Valarie Pettiford (Fosse, West Side Story tour) as Aunt Em.  Dancer Albert Blaise Cattafi will embody mischievous canine Toto.

The ensemble includes Courtney Corey, Mark Emerson, Dionne D. Figgins, Demond Green, Albert Guerzon, Dominique Kelley, Ron Kellum, Alan Mingo, Anisha Nagarajan, NRaca, Karine Plantadit, Keiana Richard, Liz Ramos and Marcos Santana.

McAnuff comments, "Our production will reflect the shifts that have occurred in the dominant pop culture, in both music and theatre, since The Wiz's history-making Broadway debut in the 1970s.  This is modern Oz, with a modern look and modern sounds.  It is a privilege to working with such an esteemed company of actors as we head together into this great adventure.  This promises to be an exciting ride for all of us!"

The show will feature set design by Robert Brill (Assassins, Cabaret). "Employing theories of 'environmental design,' Brill's goal for The Wiz is for the audience to enter into an environment that is part theatre, part musical and even part rock concert.  The theatre will become a dynamic environment that puts the performers and the music at the forefront of this heightened theatrical experience."

"We have redesigned the Weiss Theatre to create seating onstage.  By doing so, we have redefined the shape of both the stage and the audience," explains Brill.  "To connect the stage and the conventional seating in the house, we are installing curving ramps that extend into the audience and create a runway across the middle rows of the theatre.  In addition, the interior will be wrapped by a network of concert scaffolding that will allow the performers, musicians, scenery and multimedia to be featured throughout the stage and auditorium."

The creative team also includes costume designer Paul Tazewell, Tony Award-winning Jersey Boys lighting designer Howell Binkley and sound designer Peter Fitzgerald.  Michael Clark's projection designs will enhance Brill's environmental set.  Frequent McAnuff collaborator Sergio Trujillo (Zhivago, Jersey Boys) serves as choreographer; Ron Melrose is the music director and Frank Hartenstein is the production stage manager.

For tickets, call 858.550.1010 or buy online at www.lajollaplayhouse.com.

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