The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical "Wonderful Wizard of Oz" is a musical with music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls and book by William F. Brown. It is a retelling of L. Frank Baum's children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in the context of contemporary African-American culture. It opened on October 21, 1974, at the Morris A. Mechanic Theatre in Baltimore, and moved to Broadway's Majestic Theatre with a new cast on January 5, 1975. The 1975 Broadway production won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. It was an early example of Broadway's mainstream acceptance of works with an all-black cast. It has had revivals in New York, London, San Diego, and the Netherlands, and a limited-run revival was presented by Encores! at New York City Center in June 2009. A big-budget film adaptation of the same name was released in 1978, with Ted Ross and Mabel King reprising their roles.
| Music | Charlie Smalls, Timothy Graphenreed, Harold Wheeler, George Faison, Luther Vandross |
| Lyrics | Charlie Smalls, Zachary Walzer, Luther Vandross |
| Book | William F. Brown |
| Basis | The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum |
| Productions | 1974 Baltimore, 1975 Broadway, 1976 US tour, 1984 Broadway revival |
About The Wiz
An alternate take on L Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz with an all African American cast. Diana Ross plays Dorothy as she ventures from Harlem to the Land of Oz.
Achievement of The Wiz
Director Sidney Lumet and writer Joel Schumacher created this adaptation of the 1974 musical of the same name. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Art Direction.
Top Facts You Did Not Know About The Wiz
The Wizard of Oz (adaptations) —other adaptations of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.. Drama Desk Award-winning musicals.. All-Black cast Broadway shows.. Tony Award for Best Musical.. Rock musicals.. Plays set in the United States.. Musicals based on novels.. United States National Recording Registry recordings.
