The Muny Finds Its Brains, Courage, Heart And Fabulous Wiz For Its Production Of THE WIZ

The Muny announced today that Grammy Award-winner Nathan Lee Graham will play the title role in The Wiz. Starring alongside Graham will be Jared Grimes as Scarecrow, Mykal Kilgore as Lion and James T. Lane as Tinman. In its first Muny staging in 36 years, The Wiz is the second production of the historic outdoor theatre's centennial season. The Wiz is directed by Denis Jones and choreographed by Camille A. Brown with music direction by Darryl Archibald. The Wiz is proudly sponsored by Wells Fargo Advisors.

"The trio of gentlemen joining Dorothy down our Yellow Brick Road is an Ozian dream team," said Muny Artistic Director and Executive Producer Mike Isaacson. "What a joy to welcome back Muny friends Mykal and James, and to welcome Jared."

"And we finally have a date with destiny for Nathan Lee Graham to be on the Muny stage," Isaacson continued. "Born and raised in St. Louis and a graduate of Webster University, we're thrilled he's coming home to be our Wiz!"

Nathan Lee Graham (The Wiz) can currently be seen as Bernard in the FOX comedy hit LA to Vegas. Film credits include: Zoolander, Zoolander 2, Sweet Home Alabama and Hitch. On the small screen, he has been seen in The Comeback, and had guest starring roles on Scrubs, Absolutely Fabulous and Law & Order SVU. His stage appearances include the original Broadway casts of The Wild Party and Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Mr. Graham recently received a 2017 Lucille Lortel nomination for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical for The View Upstairs. In 2016, he received the IRNE award for Best Supporting Actor in a Play for The Colored Museum. Graham also received a Drama League nomination for the role of Rey-Rey in the off-Broadway production of Tarell Alvin McCraney's Wig Out! In 2005, he earned the Best Classical Album Grammy Award for Songs of Innocence and of Experience as a soloist. Nathan Lee Graham is a graduate of Webster University Conservatory in St. Louis, MO.

Jared Grimes (Scarecrow) Broadway credits include: After Midnight (Tap Mathematician), Holler If Ya Hear Me (Associate Choreography). Off-Broadway credits include: Radio City New York Spring Spectacular (Marshall), Cotton Club Parade, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (Himself), Cirque du Soleil's Banana Shpeel (Choreography). Regional credits include: Jelly's Last Jam (Choreography, Signature Theatre, Helen Hayes Award for Best Choreography of a Musical), 42nd Street (Choreography, Drury Lane Theatre), Babes In Arms (Ivor, Goodspeed), Stormy Weather (Avon Long, Prince Music Theater) and Twist (Roosevelt King, Pasadena Playhouse/Alliance). Film/TV credits include: Breaking Brooklyn (Choreography), The Marc Pease Experience, First Born, Boardwalk Empire (Grover), Fringe, 30 Seconds to Fame, Star Search, Showtime at The Apollo and Dance Fever. Concert credits include: Mariah Carey, Common, Busta Rhymes, Salt-N-Pepa, En Vogue, Wynton Marsalis. In 2014, Grimes received the Astaire Award for Outstanding Performer in a Broadway Show.

Mykal Kilgore (Lion) is elated to be back at The Muny after portraying Annas in Jesus Christ Superstar and starring in Our Leading Men at Muny Magic at The Sheldon! He's appeared on Broadway in Motown the Musical and Hair. Tour credits include: The Book of Mormon (1st national tour). Select TV/Film credits include: Collateral Beauty and NBC's Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert (upcoming). Mykal has racked up 10 million plus views on social media with his videos from Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox (PMJ) as well as his viral "Reclaiming My Time" video. A singer/songwriter, Mykal has played to many sold-out audiences, including the world-famous Apollo's Music Café and the historic Joe's Pub. www.MykalKilgore.com Social Media: @MykalKilgore

James T. Lane (Tinman) is thrilled to return to The Muny after portraying Sebastian in The Little Mermaid last summer. West End credits include: The Scottsboro Boys (Ozie/Ruby, Young Vic), A Chorus Line (Richie). Broadway: King Kong the Musical (coming fall of 2018), The Scottsboro Boys, Chicago and A Chorus Line. National tours: Jersey Boys (Barry Belson), Cinderella, Fame The Musical (Tyrone Jackson). Regional: Grand Hotel (Jimmy Two, Encores!), Kiss Me, Kate (Paul, Old Globe); Once On This Island (Papa Ge, Olney Theatre), The Wiz (Scarecrow, Dallas Theater Center). Concerts: The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, Ottawa Symphony, Naples Symphony, Cleveland Symphony and Baltimore Symphony. @JamesTLane

Adapted from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, The Wiz features a book by William F. Brown, music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls, with additional dialogue by Tina Tippit.

Based on L. Frank Baum's nostalgic classic, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Wiz sparkles with heart-pounding soul, unforgettable gospel and infectious rock rhythms. A Grammy Award-winner for Best Cast Show Album, winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and ranked as one of the highest-watched live television musicals, this reimagined familiar favorite will have you ready to "Ease on Down the Road" to meet The Wiz for yourself!

World Wide Technology (WWT) and The Steward Family Foundation have once again made a leadership gift to continue as the Muny's 2018 Season Presenting Sponsor. They became the first overall season sponsor in the history of The Muny in 2014 and continue that role through 2018.

The Muny's mission is to enrich lives by producing exceptional musical theatre, accessible to all, while continuing its remarkable tradition in Forest Park. As the nation's largest outdoor musical theatre, we produce seven world-class musicals each year and welcome over 370,000 theatregoers over our nine-week season. Now celebrating 100 seasons in St. Louis, The Muny remains one of the premier institutions in musical theatre. For more information about The Muny, visit muny.org.

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