The Wiz

A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

The Wiz

Full-Length Musical, Comedy  /  5w, 6m, 4any gender (adult) plus ensemble

Book by William F. Brown
Music and Lyrics by Charlie Smalls
From the story The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

This smash Broadway musical sets Dorothy's adventures in the Land of Oz to a dazzling, lively mixture of rock, gospel and soul music! 

Image: 2024 Broadway Production (Jeremy Daniel)

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    5w, 6m, 4any gender (adult) plus ensemble
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Fantasy, Adaptation (Literature)
  • Suggested Use
    • Competition or Audition Material
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for All Audiences
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! Seven 1975 Tony® Awards, including Best Musical
    Winner! Five 1975 Drama Desk Awards, including Best Musical

The Wiz

Details

Summary

A beloved Broadway gem, The Wiz infuses L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz with a dazzling mix of rock, gospel and soul music. This timeless tale of Dorothy’s adventures through the Land of Oz is a fun, family-friendly, modern musical and one of the most popular shows in the Concord Theatricals catalogue.

History
The Wiz originally opened on Broadway at the Majestic Theatre on 5 January 1975. Directed by Geoffrey Holder, the production starred necomer Stephanie Mills and featured Hinton Battle, Tiger Haynes, Ted Ross, Dee Dee Bridgewater, André De Shields and Mabel King. Shortly after its opening, the show moved to the Broadway Theatre, where it ran until 28 January 1979, boasting a grand total of 1,672 performances. On 24 May 1984, The Wiz returned to Broadway for a brief revival at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. A film adaptation, starring Diana Ross as Dorothy, premiered on 24 October 1978. On 3 December 2015, NBC presented The Wiz Live!, a live television adaptation of the stage musical starring Shanice Williams as Dorothy.

DOROTHY: Female, 13-16 (Range: Mezzo Soprano, G3-Bb5)
Bright eyed and alive as can be. Would rather remain a child as long as possible instead of accepting the responsibilities of adulthood.

SCARECROW: Male, Age Flexible (Range: Tenor, A2-A4)
Tired of being a scarecrow and the prospect of not going anywhere. Embarks on the journey to see The Wiz in hopes he can provide a brain.

TIN MAN: Male, Age Flexible (Range: Baritone/Tenor, D3-Bb4)
Human at one time. Lost all his limbs to a cursed axe. Joins in the journey in hopes the Wiz will provide him a heart because “it isn’t enough to be good looking.”

LION: Male, Age Flexible (Range: Baritone/Tenor, G2-Bb4)
Travels around the jungle scaring people, but has “a yellow streak a mile wide.” Coward state stems from deeper mother issues and gets regular counseling from an owl. Joins in the journey to see the wiz to gain some courage.

THE WIZ: Male, Age Flexible (Range: Tenor, C3-A4)
All-powerful leader over the land of Oz. Hides his true nature behind the façade of a temperamental leader. His true identity is an enigma.

AUNT EM: Female, Late 30's (Range: Mezzo Soprano/Alto, G3-C5)
Dorothy's Aunt. Life has not been easy for her and promises little else. Harsh towards Dorothy at times, but acts out of love.

UNCLE HENRY: Male, Late 30's (Non-Singing)
Dorothy's Uncle. Physically run-down from years of hard work on the farm. Often acts as the voice of reason towards Aunt Em.

ADDAPERLE: Female, Age Flexible (Range: Alto, F3-C5)
Good Witch of the North. Has magic powers she refers to as "doing tricks." Her magic abilities don't always pan out as well as she would like them to.

EVILLENE: Female, Age Flexible (Range: Alto, G3-Db5)
Wicked Witch of the West. Low-down evil. Not a kind bone in her body nor kind thought in her rotten mind.

GLINDA: Female, Age Flexible (Range: Mezzo Soprano/Soprano, C4-D6)
Good Witch of the South. Prettiest of all the witches. Very wise in the way of show-business.

YELLOW BRICK ROAD: 4 Actors, Male or Female, Age Flexible (Range: Flexible, F3-Db4/F4-Db5)
Four dancing actors combine to create the Yellow Brick Road. Metaphorically represents the road Dorothy travels down, encouraging her along the way.

GATEKEEPER: Male, Age Flexible (Non-Singing)
Guards the gate to the Emerald City.

LORD HIGH UNDERLING: Male, Age Flexible (Non-Singing)
Weak coward. Evillene's number one.

WINGED MONKEY: Male, Age Flexible (Non-Singing)
Servant of the Wicked Witch of the West. Summoned to do her bidding. The mere mention of him brings fear.

TOTO: A Dog

ENSEMBLE: PIT SINGERS, TORNADO, MUNCHKINS, CROWS, KALIDAHS, POPPIES, FIELD MICE, EMERALD CITY CITIZENS, SOLDIER, MESSENGER.

Note: The Wiz was originally produced with an all-Black cast. It is preferred that the main characters are cast with people of colour, but there are no restrictions, so long as the spirit of The Wiz is maintained and the show cannot be confused with The Wizard of Oz.

The Wiz was originally produced with an all-Black cast. It is preferred that the main characters are cast with people of colour, but there are no restrictions, so long as the spirit of The Wiz is maintained and the show cannot be confused with The Wizard of Oz.

  • Time Period Not Applicable
  • Setting

    Kansas and the Land of Oz

  • Features Elaborate/High-Volume Costumes, Fantasy Costumes
  • Additional Features Animal Spot, Local Celebrity Cameo, Special Effects
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Animals

Media

“Radiates so much energy you can hardly sit in your seat.” – New York Post

“A continuous festival of movement... splendid character songs.” – WWD

“A carnival of fun... [a] wickedly amusing show.” – TIME

“A virtual musical circus... driving rhythms, soaring songs... boisterous, exuberant.” – WABC-TV

“Unquestionably, the humor and the heartbeat of the piece remain African-American at their source, but the overall effect is pluralistic and inclusive.” – Variety

ON BREAKING CHARACTER

Ease on Down the Road: 10 Fun Facts About The Wiz!
January 15, 2024

OTHER PRESS

Watch female inmates at Bedford Correctional Facility perform a gut-wrenching version of The Wiz here.

Videos

  • In Rehearsal: "The Wiz" at Encores! youtube thumbnail

    In Rehearsal: "The Wiz" at Encores!

  • Joshua Henry Performs "What Would I Do If I Could Feel?" youtube thumbnail

    Joshua Henry Performs "What Would I Do If I Could Feel?"

Photos

  • The Wiz

    Image: 2024 Broadway Production (Jeremy Daniel)

  • The Wiz

    Image: 2024 Broadway Production (Jeremy Daniel)

  • The Wiz

    Image: 2024 Broadway Production (Jeremy Daniel)

  • The Wiz

    Image: 2023 US National Tour Production (Jeremy Daniel)

Music

Song Samples

Ease on Down the Road (Dorothy, Scarecrow, Yellow Brick Road)
Be a Lion (Dorothy, Lion)
What Would I Do If I Could Feel? (Tinman, Company)
Don't Nobody Bring Me No Bad News (Evillene, Company)
Y'all Got It (The Wiz, Company)
Believing [Reprise] (Glinda, Company)

Act I

1. Overture – Pit Singers
1a. Prologue – Orchestra
2. “The Feeling We Once Had” – Aunt Em, Pit Singers
3. Tornado – Pit Singers
3a. Munchkin Entrance – Orchestra
4. Addaperle’s Appearance – Orchestra
5. “He’s the Wiz” – Addaperle, Munchkins, Pit Singers
5a. Addaperle’s Disappearance – Orchestra
6. “Soon as I Get Home” – Dorothy, Pit Singers
7. “Born on the Day Before Yesterday” – Scarecrow, Pit Singers
8. “Ease on Down the Road” – Dorothy, Scarecrow, Yellow Brick Road, Pit Singers
9. “Slide Some Oil To Me” – Tin Man
10. “Ease on Down the Road #2” – Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Yellow Brick Road, Pit Singers
11. “Mean Ole Lion” – Lion, Pit Singers
12. “Ease on Down the Road #3” – Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Munchkins, Pit Singers
13. Kalidahs – Orchestra
14. “Be a Lion” – Dorothy, Lion, Pit Singers
15. Poppies Ballet – Orchestra
15a. Lion Exit – Orchestra
16. Emerald City Dance – Stage Voices, Pit Singers
16a. After Emerald City – Orchestra
17. “So You Wanted to Meet the Wizard” – The Wiz, Pit Singers
18. “What Would I Do If I Could Feel?” – Tin Man, Pit Singers
19. Act I Curtain – Orchestra

Act II

20. Entr’acte – Orchestra
21. “Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News” – Evillene, Pit Singers
21a. Monkey Chant – Orchestra
22. Funky Monkey – Orchestra
22a. Back at the Witch’s Castle – Pit Singers
23. Evillene’s Exit – Orchestra
24. “Everybody Rejoice” – Winkies, Dorothy, All
24a. Everybody Rejoice Exit – Orchestra
25. “Who Do You Think You Are?” – Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Pit Singers
26. “Believe in Yourself” – The Wiz
26a. Wishes Granted – Orchestra
27. Promenade – Orchestra
28. “Y’all Got It” – The Wiz, Pit Singers
28a. Y’all Got It (Playoff) – Orchestra
28b. Addaperle’s Reappearance – Orchestra
29. “A Rested Body” – Glinda, Pit Singers
30. “Believe In Yourself” Reprise – Glinda, Pit Singers
30a. Addaperle’s Exit – Orchestra
31. Finale: “Home” – Dorothy, Pit Singers
32. Bows – Orchestra, Pit Singers
33. Exit Music – Orchestra, Pit Singers

Reed 1 (Piccolo, Flute, Alto Saxophone & Opt. Alto Flute)
Reed 2 (Piccolo, Flute, Alto Saxophone & Alto Flute (Opt. Clarinet))
Reed 3 (Flute, Alto Flute, Clarinet & Tenor Saxophone)
Reed 4 (Alto Flute, Oboe, English Horn, Clarinet & Baritone Saxophone)
Trumpet 1&2 (dbl. Flugelhorn)
Trumpet 3 (dbl. Flugelhorn)
Horn
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Percussion 1 & 2 (Timpani, Vibraphone, Bell-Tree, Bells, Tambourine, Xylophone, Triangle, Shaker, Conga/Tumbadora, Bongo Drums, Gourd, Cow Bells, Sand Block, Woodblock, Ratchet, Marimba, Cuica, Chimes, Whistle 1&2, Crash Cymbal, Timbale, Claves, Vibraslap, Cabasa, Spooky SF (Meraang Sounds), Sandpaper, Finger Cymbal)
Drums
Guitar (Electric, Acoustic & Sitar)
Violins (2)
Cello
Bass (Electric)

  • Musical Style Pop/Rock, Jazz
  • Vocal DemandsDifficult
  • Orchestra Size Large
  • Chorus Size Large

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Music Rentals

Concord offers a full suite of resources to help you put on the show of a lifetime!
1 Piano-Conductor 
20 Vocal Books
1 Reed 1 
1 Reed 2
1 Reed 3
1 Reed 4
2 Trumpet 1 & 2
1 Trumpet 3
1 Horn
1 Trombone 1
1 Trombone 2
2 Percussion 1 & 2 
1 Drums
1 Guitar
2 Violins
1 Cello
1 Bass

Additional Material:
A Full Score is available for this title for an additional fee. Please contact your licensing representative for additional information.
1 Piano-Conductor
20 Vocal Books

Add-Ons

Take a look below at how you can enhance your show!

Authors

William F. Brown

William F. Brown (1928-2019) won a Tony nomination and a Drama Desk Award for writing the book of The Wiz, one of the most successful musicals ever to come to Broadway and the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical of the Year. Other Broadway credits include The ...

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Charlie Smalls

Charlie Smalls (1943-1987), a musical prodigy, began playing piano at age three. After graduating from The Juilliard School in 1961, he began a varied performing and composing career. He was a pianist with the New York Jazz Repertory Company and toured with Harry Belafonte, H ...
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