Test your knowledge of *The Wiz* and see how well you know this award-winning musical! From its 1975 Broadway debut to the all-Black cast that made history, *The Wiz* continues to be a cultural phenomenon. Whether you remember the iconic TV commercial for "Ease On Down the Road" or the star-studded 2015 live TV event, dive into these trivia facts and explore the rich legacy of this beloved show. How many fun facts do you already know?
International Productions
- Stephanie Mills, who originally played Dorothy, returned to play the same role in a short-lived Broadway revival in 1984 and a London production in 1985.
- A Mexican production starring Lucero Mijares as Dorothy ran in June 2023 at the Teatro Hidalgo in Mexico City.
- The first German-speaking production of the musical premiered in Linz, Austria at the new Musiktheater Linz.
Musical Composition
- Music and lyrics for The Wiz were primarily provided by Charlie Smalls, with the book written by William F. Brown.
- The 1984 revival of 'The Wiz' included a new song, 'Wonder, Wonder, Why,' which, interestingly, is no longer part of the current licensed score used in productions.
- A significant aspect of the musical's success was attributed to a TV commercial song 'Ease On Down the Road,' which climbed the Billboard charts after its release as a single.
- The original Broadway cast recording of 'The Wiz,' produced in 1975, was inducted into the National Recording Registry in 2017 for its cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance.
- Luther Vandross, a renowned singer and songwriter, composed the song 'Everybody Rejoice/A Brand New Day' for 'The Wiz.'
- 'The Wiz' features a blend of compositions: most songs by Charlie Smalls, with notable exceptions like 'Tornado' by Timothy Graphenreed and Harold Wheeler.
Notable Tours
- The City Center's Encores! Summer Stars series 2009 production featured Ashanti as Dorothy and included multiple notable actors like Orlando Jones and LaChanze.
Production Facts
- The film 'The Wiz' was directed by Sidney Lumet with a script from Joel Schumacher and Quincy Jones as the music supervisor.
- 'The Wiz' was recognized at its debut for interweaving contemporary slang and imagery with the themes of L. Frank Baum's original story, creating a modern and inclusive narrative.
- 'The Wiz Live!', aired by NBC in 2015, featured a notable cast including Queen Latifah as the Wiz, Mary J. Blige as Evillene, and David Alan Grier as the Cowardly Lion.
- Stephanie Mills, who originally played Dorothy on Broadway, took on the role of Aunt Em in NBC's 'The Wiz Live!'.
- An open casting call for the role of Dorothy for 'The Wiz Live!' took place on June 6, 2015, resulting in the casting of newcomer Shanice Williams.
- Stephen Sondheim, famed for his own contributions to musical theater, has frequently cited 'The Wiz' as one of his favorite shows that he did not write.
- The Wiz initially opened on October 21, 1974, at the Morris A. Mechanic Theatre in Baltimore before making its Broadway debut on January 5, 1975, at the Majestic Theatre.
- Michael Jackson starred as the Scarecrow in 'The Wiz', marking one of his significant film roles outside of his music career.
- Diana Ross, who played Dorothy in the film adaptation of 'The Wiz', was originally not chosen for the role; Motown CEO Berry Gordy preferred Stephanie Mills, feeling Ross was too old at 33.
- The character Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West, is obsessed with obtaining her sister's silver shoes to increase her power in the musical 'The Wiz'.
- Des McAnuff, director of the La Jolla Playhouse production, collaborated with Harold Wheeler to revise the musical for contemporary audiences.
- Nikki M. James, known for her role in 'The Book of Mormon,' played Dorothy in the 2006 La Jolla Playhouse production.
- Tamsier Joof, Rustie Lee, and Kat of MTV all starred in multiple productions of the musical.
- The Wiz had its 40th Anniversary celebrated at Summerstage in New York City in August 2015, with original cast members returning for the performance.
- Geoffrey Holder took over as director during the Detroit tryouts and significantly influenced the creative direction of the show.
- NBC aired a live television production titled The Wiz Live! on December 3, 2015, with a subsequent encore presentation on December 19, 2015.
- The 1978 film adaptation of The Wiz featured Ted Ross and Mabel King, who reprised their stage roles for the movie.
- The original Broadway production of The Wiz won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and was noted for its all-Black cast.
