- Performances: 1,672.
- Open / Close: January 5, 1975 – January 28, 1979
- Theater: The Majestic Theatre.
- Tony Awards: Nominated in 8 categories and, as detailed on the podcast, won awards for every nomination except for Best Book of Musical. William F. Brown’s book has been maligned many times for being the least strong aspect of the show. Ted Ross won Best Featured Actor and was one of only two main character actors who was case in the movie adaptation.
- Fun Fact: As far as I’ve been able to figure out, director Geoffrey Holder is the only theater artist ever to win a Tony for both Best Direction and Best Costume Design for the same show.
Podcast
“Chasing Phantom” is easing into its 4th season by easing down the road to “The Wiz!” Another show that host David Timberline has not seen live – shame on me! – but thanks to the podcast, has grown to appreciate and become eager to see on stage.
Leading me into the depths of “The Wiz” lore is Jerold Solomon, a veteran of Broadway who has directed the show and also played “The Wiz” himself for a 2019 Virginia Repertory Theatre production. Jerold talks about his abiding love for the movie and the translation of his disappointment at not being cast as the Lion into an “outrageous as they’ll let me be” performance at the title character.
Jerold recently starred in a brand new musical developed in Richmond that he co-wrote called “Gabriel.” He also regularly lights up social media with his funny and insightful dialogues with himself. Check him out as “oldskurv” on Instagram or Facebook. You might also want to check out these pictures of Andre DeShields in his original costume in the Broadway show and the screen shots of the remembrance DeShields wrote about the show’s development.
https://lostmediawiki.com/The_Wiz_(partially_lost_TV_spot_for_Broadway_musical;_1975)