Nichelle Lewis Makes Broadway Debut in 'The Wiz,' Gets Support from Big Stars at Opening Night Show!
The Broadway revival of The Wiz is officially open!
Nichelle Lewis is playing the lead role of Dorothy in the beloved musical and she looked gorgeous in green while attending the opening night party on Wednesday (April 17) in New York City.
The Broadway newcomer was joined at the celebration by co-stars Wayne Brady, Deborah Cox, Melody A. Betts, Kyle Ramar Freeman, Phillip Johnson Richardson, and Avery Wilson at the opening night celebration. The opening comes two months after the show played in Los Angeles for the final stop of the North American tour.
Some of the celebs who were in attendance at the opening included Hillary Clinton, Anna Wintour, engaged couple Ben Platt and Noah Galvin, Lachanze, Ben Vereen, Peppermint, Sherri Shepherd, Tamron Hall, Common, Leslie Uggams, and writer Amber Ruffin.
Get your tickets now to see The Wiz on Broadway.
Nichelle Lewis is playing the lead role of Dorothy in the beloved musical and she looked gorgeous in green while attending the opening night party on Wednesday (April 17) in New York City.
The Broadway newcomer was joined at the celebration by co-stars Wayne Brady, Deborah Cox, Melody A. Betts, Kyle Ramar Freeman, Phillip Johnson Richardson, and Avery Wilson at the opening night celebration. The opening comes two months after the show played in Los Angeles for the final stop of the North American tour.
Some of the celebs who were in attendance at the opening included Hillary Clinton, Anna Wintour, engaged couple Ben Platt and Noah Galvin, Lachanze, Ben Vereen, Peppermint, Sherri Shepherd, Tamron Hall, Common, Leslie Uggams, and writer Amber Ruffin.
Get your tickets now to see The Wiz on Broadway.
- 4/19/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
On Wednesday night, Broadway’s Marquis Theatre celebrated the official opening of the highly anticipated revival of The Wiz.
After a successful pre-Broadway tour that began last year, this new production breathes new life into the beloved musical. Under the direction of Schele Williams, known for her work on The Notebook and with choreography by JaQuel Knight, this revival promises an exciting and contemporary take on an enduring classic.
Taking on the iconic role of Dorothy is newcomer Nichelle Lewis, who brings a fresh and vibrant energy to the stage. Joining her is a star-studded cast that includes Wayne Brady as The Wiz, Deborah Cox as Glinda, Melody A. Betts as Aunt Em and Evillene, Kyle Ramar Freeman as the Lion, Phillip Johnson Richardson as the Tinman, and Avery Wilson as the Scarecrow.
The ensemble comprises talented performers, including Allyson Kaye Daniel as Addaperle and Anthony Murphyas Lord High Underling.
After a successful pre-Broadway tour that began last year, this new production breathes new life into the beloved musical. Under the direction of Schele Williams, known for her work on The Notebook and with choreography by JaQuel Knight, this revival promises an exciting and contemporary take on an enduring classic.
Taking on the iconic role of Dorothy is newcomer Nichelle Lewis, who brings a fresh and vibrant energy to the stage. Joining her is a star-studded cast that includes Wayne Brady as The Wiz, Deborah Cox as Glinda, Melody A. Betts as Aunt Em and Evillene, Kyle Ramar Freeman as the Lion, Phillip Johnson Richardson as the Tinman, and Avery Wilson as the Scarecrow.
The ensemble comprises talented performers, including Allyson Kaye Daniel as Addaperle and Anthony Murphyas Lord High Underling.
- 4/18/2024
- by Baila Eve Zisman
- Uinterview
Before Dorothy’s mother passed away, she had a favorite saying, as Aunt Em reminds her grieving niece in the opening scene of The Wiz: “The hard stuff is there to let you know just how good you got it.” And while that’s a curious mantra to undergird a production of a Broadway musical, there’s something to it in the latest revival.
The first musical by a Black composer to win Tony Awards for best musical and best score, this well-loved show turns 50 next year. If Schele Williams’s simplistic and sometimes bewildering staging doesn’t itself demonstrate how the show has held up across those decades, she wisely steers all attention toward the main event: the stunning vocal performances from her cast. And since the show’s underwhelming visuals feel like less of a distraction than an afterthought, it’s easy enough to put the “hard...
The first musical by a Black composer to win Tony Awards for best musical and best score, this well-loved show turns 50 next year. If Schele Williams’s simplistic and sometimes bewildering staging doesn’t itself demonstrate how the show has held up across those decades, she wisely steers all attention toward the main event: the stunning vocal performances from her cast. And since the show’s underwhelming visuals feel like less of a distraction than an afterthought, it’s easy enough to put the “hard...
- 4/18/2024
- by Dan Rubins
- Slant Magazine
The Wiz is getting so close to premiering on Broadway, but first the national tour is playing in Los Angeles.
Wayne Brady and Deborah Cox are leading the Broadway-bound revival of the beloved musical and they celebrated opening night at the Pantages Theatre on Wednesday (February 14) in Hollywood.
They were joined by co-stars Nichelle Lewis, Melody A. Betts, Kyle Ramar Freeman, Phillip Johnson Richardson, and Avery Wilson at the opening night celebration.
Some of the celebs who stepped out to support the opening night performance included Cynthia Erivo and partner Lena Waithe, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Gina Torres, Amber Ruffin, Robin Thede, and Kandi Burress.
The Wiz is currently playing at the Pantages Theatre through March 3. The production will then begin performances on Broadway on March 29. The second leg of the North American tour will begin in February 2025.
Fyi: Nichelle is wearing a dress from Nadine Merabi.
Wayne Brady and Deborah Cox are leading the Broadway-bound revival of the beloved musical and they celebrated opening night at the Pantages Theatre on Wednesday (February 14) in Hollywood.
They were joined by co-stars Nichelle Lewis, Melody A. Betts, Kyle Ramar Freeman, Phillip Johnson Richardson, and Avery Wilson at the opening night celebration.
Some of the celebs who stepped out to support the opening night performance included Cynthia Erivo and partner Lena Waithe, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Gina Torres, Amber Ruffin, Robin Thede, and Kandi Burress.
The Wiz is currently playing at the Pantages Theatre through March 3. The production will then begin performances on Broadway on March 29. The second leg of the North American tour will begin in February 2025.
Fyi: Nichelle is wearing a dress from Nadine Merabi.
- 2/16/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
The best in West End theatre was celebrated at the 2023 Evening Standard Theatre Awards, where Nicole Scherzinger was the big winner of the night!
Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton were among the stars who walked the red carpet at the event on Sunday night (November 19) at Claridge’s Hotel in London, England.
Nicole won the award for Best Musical Performance for her work in the new revival of Sunset Boulevard, beating out A Strange Loop‘s Kyle Ramar Freeman, Crazy for You‘s Charlie Stemp, and Guys and Dolls‘ Marisha Wallace.
Sunset Boulevard‘s Jamie Lloyd won the award for Best Director and Guys and Dolls won the award for Best Musical.
Ruth Wilson received a Special Editor’s Award in acknowledgment of her marathon 24-hour show The Second Woman.
Head inside to check out photos of all the stars who attended…
Keep scrolling to see all of the stars who attended…...
Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton were among the stars who walked the red carpet at the event on Sunday night (November 19) at Claridge’s Hotel in London, England.
Nicole won the award for Best Musical Performance for her work in the new revival of Sunset Boulevard, beating out A Strange Loop‘s Kyle Ramar Freeman, Crazy for You‘s Charlie Stemp, and Guys and Dolls‘ Marisha Wallace.
Sunset Boulevard‘s Jamie Lloyd won the award for Best Director and Guys and Dolls won the award for Best Musical.
Ruth Wilson received a Special Editor’s Award in acknowledgment of her marathon 24-hour show The Second Woman.
Head inside to check out photos of all the stars who attended…
Keep scrolling to see all of the stars who attended…...
- 11/20/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Halloween has arrived, and celebrities have gone all out to dress up as other pop cultural icons. The SAG-AFTRA guidelines for Halloween this year advised members to not post photos of costumes inspired by struck work on social media, to choose costumes inspired by generalized Halloween tropes or to dress up as characters from non-struck content like cartoons or other animated TV shows.
“SAG-AFTRA issued Halloween guidance in response to questions from content creators and members about how to support the strike during this festive season. This was meant to help them avoid promoting struck work, and it is the latest in a series of guidelines we have issued,” the guild said in a statement.
But not all actors complied.
Megan Fox did dress up as Gogo Yubari from “Kill Bill” with boyfriend Machine Gun Kelly, and she tagged SAG-AFTRA in her Instagram post. Other celebrities have found more creative...
“SAG-AFTRA issued Halloween guidance in response to questions from content creators and members about how to support the strike during this festive season. This was meant to help them avoid promoting struck work, and it is the latest in a series of guidelines we have issued,” the guild said in a statement.
But not all actors complied.
Megan Fox did dress up as Gogo Yubari from “Kill Bill” with boyfriend Machine Gun Kelly, and she tagged SAG-AFTRA in her Instagram post. Other celebrities have found more creative...
- 10/31/2023
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
The new revival of The Wiz will begin Broadway previews on March 29, 2024, at the Marquis Theatre, with an opening night set for Wednesday, April 17.
The musical will feature Wayne Brady in the title role. The Broadway dates and venue were announced today by producers Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Brian Anthony Moreland, Ambassador Theatre Group, Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker.
The limited engagement on Broadway follows a pre-Broadway national tour that launched in Baltimore yesterday with a sold-out show (and five standing ovations). Baltimore was the site of the musical’s original world premiere nearly 50 years ago.
Related: Emmy-Winning Super Bowl Halftime Music Director Adam Blackstone Joins Broadway-Bound ‘The Wiz’ Creative Team
In addition to Brady as the Wiz, the Broadway cast will feature Nichelle Lewis as Dorothy, Deborah Cox as Glinda and Melody A. Betts as Aunt Em and Evillene, Kyle Ramar Freeman as the Lion, Phillip Johnson Richardson as the Tinman,...
The musical will feature Wayne Brady in the title role. The Broadway dates and venue were announced today by producers Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Brian Anthony Moreland, Ambassador Theatre Group, Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker.
The limited engagement on Broadway follows a pre-Broadway national tour that launched in Baltimore yesterday with a sold-out show (and five standing ovations). Baltimore was the site of the musical’s original world premiere nearly 50 years ago.
Related: Emmy-Winning Super Bowl Halftime Music Director Adam Blackstone Joins Broadway-Bound ‘The Wiz’ Creative Team
In addition to Brady as the Wiz, the Broadway cast will feature Nichelle Lewis as Dorothy, Deborah Cox as Glinda and Melody A. Betts as Aunt Em and Evillene, Kyle Ramar Freeman as the Lion, Phillip Johnson Richardson as the Tinman,...
- 9/25/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Adam Blackstone, who won a 2022 Emmy Award for his music direction of the memorable hip-hop Super Bowl Lvi Halftime Show featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem and others, has joined the creative team of the Broadway-bound musical revival of The Wiz.
Blackstone has signed on as Dance Music Arranger, a position that reunites him with frequent collaborator JaQuel Knight, the show’s choreographer. (Blackstone joins the production with his associate Terence Vaughn.)
In a statement, Blackstone said the new collaboration with Knight will allow the two to “explore our own interpretation for a revival of this masterpiece.”
The announcement was made by producers Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Brian Anthony Moreland, Ambassador Theatre Group, Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker. The Wiz will launch a national tour on September 23 in Baltimore before heading to Broadway, with Wayne Brady in the title role, for a limited engagement later in spring 2024.
“Joining The...
Blackstone has signed on as Dance Music Arranger, a position that reunites him with frequent collaborator JaQuel Knight, the show’s choreographer. (Blackstone joins the production with his associate Terence Vaughn.)
In a statement, Blackstone said the new collaboration with Knight will allow the two to “explore our own interpretation for a revival of this masterpiece.”
The announcement was made by producers Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Brian Anthony Moreland, Ambassador Theatre Group, Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker. The Wiz will launch a national tour on September 23 in Baltimore before heading to Broadway, with Wayne Brady in the title role, for a limited engagement later in spring 2024.
“Joining The...
- 9/20/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Actor-rapper Common and hip-hop artist Mc Lyte have signed on as co-producers in the all-new, Broadway-bound production of The Wiz, producers announced today.
The musical revival, which launches a national tour in Baltimore on September 23, will play a limited Broadway engagement this spring. Dates have not yet been announced.
“I am so blessed to be part of this production of The Wiz,” said Common, who appeared on Broadway last season in the acclaimed play Between Riverside and Crazy. “Theatre has always affected me in a way that reaches my soul and spirit, in some measure because I didn’t realize as a kid that I could dream big enough to be part of it.”
The Grammy winning rapper and composer who also shared an Oscar with John Legend for the song “Glory” from the 2014 film Selma, added, “This is a true dream come true as one of my favorite...
The musical revival, which launches a national tour in Baltimore on September 23, will play a limited Broadway engagement this spring. Dates have not yet been announced.
“I am so blessed to be part of this production of The Wiz,” said Common, who appeared on Broadway last season in the acclaimed play Between Riverside and Crazy. “Theatre has always affected me in a way that reaches my soul and spirit, in some measure because I didn’t realize as a kid that I could dream big enough to be part of it.”
The Grammy winning rapper and composer who also shared an Oscar with John Legend for the song “Glory” from the 2014 film Selma, added, “This is a true dream come true as one of my favorite...
- 9/12/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Nichelle Lewis will portray Dorothy in the upcoming Broadway revival of The Wiz.
The Virginian actress, who was discovered on TikTok and chosen following more than 2,000 submissions for the role, was also announced by producers on Monday as the lead in the upcoming National Tour. Kicking off in Baltimore at the Hippodrome Theatre and running from Sept. 23-30, the tour will continue to previously announced cities across the U.S. before its limited run in New York.
Wayne Brady was previously announced for the role of the Wiz on Broadway, following appearances in San Francisco Golden Gate Theatre and Los Angeles (Feb. 13 – March 3), with Alan Mingo Jr. portraying the role in additional tour cities additional including Cleveland, Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh, Charlotte, Atlanta, Chicago, Des Moines, Tempe and San Diego.
The musical also stars Deborah Cox as Glinda; Melody A. Betts as Aunt Em and Evillene; Kyle Ramar Freeman as...
The Virginian actress, who was discovered on TikTok and chosen following more than 2,000 submissions for the role, was also announced by producers on Monday as the lead in the upcoming National Tour. Kicking off in Baltimore at the Hippodrome Theatre and running from Sept. 23-30, the tour will continue to previously announced cities across the U.S. before its limited run in New York.
Wayne Brady was previously announced for the role of the Wiz on Broadway, following appearances in San Francisco Golden Gate Theatre and Los Angeles (Feb. 13 – March 3), with Alan Mingo Jr. portraying the role in additional tour cities additional including Cleveland, Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh, Charlotte, Atlanta, Chicago, Des Moines, Tempe and San Diego.
The musical also stars Deborah Cox as Glinda; Melody A. Betts as Aunt Em and Evillene; Kyle Ramar Freeman as...
- 8/14/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Recording artist Deborah Cox and Chicago-based actress and singer Melody A. Betts have joined the Broadway-bound cast of The Wiz, with Cox taking the role of Glinda and Betts cast as Aunt Em and Evillene.
Cox and Betts join the previously announced cast of Wayne Brady as the Wiz, and Kyle Ramar Freeman as the Lion, Phillip Johnson Richardson as the Tinman, and Avery Wilson as the Scarecrow. Additional casting will be announced in the coming weeks.
The casting of Cox and Betts was announced today by producers Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Brian Anthony Moreland and Ambassador Theatre Group. The Wiz revival will begin a national tour this fall with a planned arrival on Broadway in spring of 2024.
Cox has reached the music charts with six top 20 Billboard R&b singles and 13 No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play Chart, including the hits “Nobody’s Supposed To Be...
Cox and Betts join the previously announced cast of Wayne Brady as the Wiz, and Kyle Ramar Freeman as the Lion, Phillip Johnson Richardson as the Tinman, and Avery Wilson as the Scarecrow. Additional casting will be announced in the coming weeks.
The casting of Cox and Betts was announced today by producers Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Brian Anthony Moreland and Ambassador Theatre Group. The Wiz revival will begin a national tour this fall with a planned arrival on Broadway in spring of 2024.
Cox has reached the music charts with six top 20 Billboard R&b singles and 13 No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play Chart, including the hits “Nobody’s Supposed To Be...
- 6/13/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Wayne Brady will lead the Broadway revival of The Wiz, producers Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Brian Anthony Moreland and Ambassador Theatre Group said Wednesday.
The Who’s Line Is It Anyway star has previously appeared on Broadway as Billy Flynn in Chicago, as Lola in Kinky Boots and as Aaron Burr in the Chicago run of Hamilton. He will take on the role of the Wiz in spring 2024, during the production’s planned Broadway run, following stops at the Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco and at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre.
Before coming to Broadway, the production will launch a tour this fall in Baltimore and travel to cities including DC, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Chicago and San Diego. During those tour stops, Alan Mingo Jr., who has also appeared as Lola in Kinky Boots on Broadway, as well as Sebastian in The Little Mermaid, will play the role of the Wiz.
The Who’s Line Is It Anyway star has previously appeared on Broadway as Billy Flynn in Chicago, as Lola in Kinky Boots and as Aaron Burr in the Chicago run of Hamilton. He will take on the role of the Wiz in spring 2024, during the production’s planned Broadway run, following stops at the Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco and at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre.
Before coming to Broadway, the production will launch a tour this fall in Baltimore and travel to cities including DC, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Chicago and San Diego. During those tour stops, Alan Mingo Jr., who has also appeared as Lola in Kinky Boots on Broadway, as well as Sebastian in The Little Mermaid, will play the role of the Wiz.
- 6/7/2023
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Five-time Emmy winner and Grammy Award nominee Wayne Brady will play the title character in The Wiz revival when it lands on Broadway in spring 2024, producers announced today, with Doom Patrol’s Alan Mingo Jr. (Kinky Boots) taking the role during many of the production’s pre-Broadway tour dates.
The casting comes after the recent news that Kyle Ramar Freeman cast been cast as the Lion, Phillip Johnson Richardson as the Tinman, and Avery Wilson as the Scarecrow. Additional casting, including for the character of Dorothy, will be announced in the coming weeks
Brady will play the Wiz on Broadway in Spring of 2024, and in San Francisco at the Golden Gate Theatre, and Los Angeles at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre. Mingo Jr. will portray the Wiz on this fall’s National Tour in Baltimore, Cleveland, Washington, DC, Pittsburgh, Charlotte, Atlanta, Greenville, Chicago, Des Moines, Tempe, and San Diego.
The casting comes after the recent news that Kyle Ramar Freeman cast been cast as the Lion, Phillip Johnson Richardson as the Tinman, and Avery Wilson as the Scarecrow. Additional casting, including for the character of Dorothy, will be announced in the coming weeks
Brady will play the Wiz on Broadway in Spring of 2024, and in San Francisco at the Golden Gate Theatre, and Los Angeles at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre. Mingo Jr. will portray the Wiz on this fall’s National Tour in Baltimore, Cleveland, Washington, DC, Pittsburgh, Charlotte, Atlanta, Greenville, Chicago, Des Moines, Tempe, and San Diego.
- 6/7/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
The Broadway-bound revival of The Wiz, which will launch a national tour in Baltimore this fall, has cast Kyle Ramar Freeman (A Strange Loop) as the Lion, Phillip Johnson Richardson (Apple+’s Sharper) as the Tinman, and former The Voice contestant Avery Wilson as the Scarecrow.
Richardson and Wilson will be making their Broadway debuts. Casting for the character of Dorothy has yet to be announced.
The revival, featuring some new material by Amber Ruffin, is produced by Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Brian Anthony Moreland, Ambassador Theatre Group, Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker, who issued the joint statement today announcing the castings. The revival is set to arrive on Broadway next spring.
Featuring a book by William F. Brown and a score by Charlie Smalls (and others), the revival will be directed by Schele Williams and choreographed by JaQuel Knight. The Wiz premiered on Broadway in 1975 and won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical.
Richardson and Wilson will be making their Broadway debuts. Casting for the character of Dorothy has yet to be announced.
The revival, featuring some new material by Amber Ruffin, is produced by Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Brian Anthony Moreland, Ambassador Theatre Group, Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker, who issued the joint statement today announcing the castings. The revival is set to arrive on Broadway next spring.
Featuring a book by William F. Brown and a score by Charlie Smalls (and others), the revival will be directed by Schele Williams and choreographed by JaQuel Knight. The Wiz premiered on Broadway in 1975 and won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical.
- 6/1/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
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