At center is Dorothy, wearing a white dress, silver shoes and mirrored sunglasses. She is surrounded by the residents of Emerald City, all dressed in shades of green and also wearing mirrored sunglasses. Everyone looks surprised.

Cast of the Ford’s Theatre production of The Wiz. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

The Wiz

Journey through Oz in This Tony-Winning Musical

September 9, 2018 — May 12, 2018

~2 hours and 30 minutes including one intermission

Recommended for ages 8 and older.

Accessible

Ease on down the road with Dorothy and her friends Scarecrow, Tinman and Lion on their quest to meet The Wiz. In this adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s magical novel, Dorothy is whisked away by a tornado to the fanciful land of Oz. There, she and her sidekicks encounter Munchkins, flying monkeys and a power-hungry witch named Evillene who vows to destroy them. Winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score, “The Wiz” is a musical feast featuring soul, gospel, R&B and pop. Rediscover the power of courage, heart, brains and friendship.

Artistic Team

Book by William F. Brown

Music and Lyrics Charlie Smalls

From the story “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum

Director Kent Gash

Choreographer Dell Howlett

Music Director and Orchestrator Darius Smith

Scenic Design Jason Sherwood

Costume Design Kara Harmon

Lighting Design Rui Rita

Sound Design David Budries

Projection Design Clint Allen

Hair & Make-Up Designers Dave Bova and J. Jared Janas

Dialects and Voice Director Zach Campion

Production Stage Manager Craig A. Horness

Assistant Stage Manager Taryn Friend

Casting Patrick Pearson

Cast

Hasani Allen

Scarecrow

DeMoya Watson Brown

Tornado

Kevin McAllister

Tinman

Monique Midgette

Aunt Em/Addaperle/Evillene

Ines Nassara

Dorothy

Jobari Parker-Namdar

The Wiz

Christopher Michael Richardson

Lion

Awa Sal Secka

Glinda

Daryl A. Spiers

Lead Winged Monkey

Melissa Victor

Soldier Messenger/Ensemble

Jaysen Wright

Uncle Henry/Gatekeeper/Lord High Underling

Ashley D. Buster

Ensemble

Jade Jones

Ensemble

Solomon Parker

Ensemble

Tobias Young

Ensemble

Jacelyn E. Isaac

Swing/Dance Captain

Phil Young

Swing

Charlie

Toto

Rusty

Toto

Musicians

Conductor/Keyboard I Darius Smith

Keyboard II Victor Simonson

Reeds Ben Bokor

Trumpet/Flugelhorn Kieron Irvine

Trombone Greg Boyer

Electric Bass/Tuba Yusef Chisholm

Guitar/Banjo Gerry Kunkel

Drums/Percussion Danny Villanueva

Trailer

“Y’all Got It”

From the Gallery

The Lion, Dorothy, the Scarecrow and the Tinman link arms to go skipping down the road. The Lion wears a bright gold and brown dress coat, a bowtie and gold sneakers. Dorothy wears a short white dress and silver shoes. The Scarecrow wears a bright blue plaid suit. The Tinman carries an ax and wears a red-and-silver checkered shirt and silver pants.

At center is Dorothy, wearing a white dress, silver shoes and mirrored sunglasses. She is surrounded by the residents of Emerald City, all dressed in shades of green and also wearing mirrored sunglasses. Everyone looks surprised.

At center is Dorothy, in a white dress and sneakers, and Addaperle in a brightly colored dress with a large handbag imprinted with the letter “A.” They are surrounded by the Munchkins, all dressed in candy-color 1920s-style formal dresses, tuxedos and hats. They stand in front of a Broadway-style marque that says “Welcome to Munchkinland.”

The Ford’s Theatre cast of “The Wiz,” directed by Kent Gash. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

The Wiz points to the sky. He wears a white shirt with a ruffle, white pants and a purple-sequin jacket styled after Prince. He is surrounded by people in colorful pants, hats, dresses and wigs.

The Ford’s Theatre cast of “The Wiz,” directed by Kent Gash. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

Dorothy laughs as the Scarecrow sings and dances. She wears a white dress, a denim jacket and silver shoes. The Scarecrow wears a bright blue plaid suit with colorful patches and a green vest.

Ines Nassara (Dorothy) and Hasani Allen (Scarecrow) in the Ford’s Theatre production of “The Wiz,” directed by Kent Gash. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

Dorothy looks up at the Scarecrow, who is tied to a post. He is surrounded by crows. She wears a white dress, a denim jacket and silver shoes. The Scarecrow wears a bright blue plaid suit with colorful patches and a green vest. The crows wear backward baseball caps, t-shirts and jackets.

Ines Nassara (Dorothy) and Hasani Allen (Scarecrow) with crows (Left to Right) Jade Jones, Awa Sal Secka and Tobias Young in the Ford’s Theatre production of “The Wiz,” directed by Kent Gash. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

The Tinman sings. He wears a red-and-silver checkered shirt and silver pants.

Kevin McAllister (Tinman) in the Ford’s Theatre production of “The Wiz,” directed by Kent Gash. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

The Lion looks up at the sky with his hand placed to his brow, as if he might faint. He wears a bright gold and brown dress coat and a bowtie.

Christopher Michael Richardson (Lion) in the Ford’s Theatre production of “The Wiz,” directed by Kent Gash. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

At center, the Lion dances and sings. He is surrounded by the yellow brick road, played by four dancers with black-and-gold afros who wear white tailcoats with gold trim, gold sneakers, black pants, white shirts and white vests. They carry tall gold scepters.

Christopher Michael Richardson (Lion) and the Yellow Brick Road (Left to Right) Melissa Victor, Daryl A. Spiers, Da’Von T. Moody and Jonathan Adriel in the Ford’s Theatre production of “The Wiz,” directed by Kent Gash. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

At center, Dorothy sings. She is surrounded by the yellow brick road, played by four dancers with black-and-gold afros who wear white tailcoats with gold trim, gold sneakers, black pants, white shirts and white vests. They carry tall gold scepters.

Ines Nassara (Dorothy) and the Yellow Brick Road (Left to Right) Da’Von T. Moody, Melissa Victor, Daryl A. Spiers and Jonathan Adriel in the Ford’s Theatre production of “The Wiz,” directed by Kent Gash. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

At center, Evillene sings with malicious glee in a pink-and-red dress bedecked with candy. She is surrounded by a group of candy factory workers wearing blue jumpsuits, pink-and-white-striped aprons, and pink hairnets. They clutch large red heart-shaped candy boxes.

The cast of the Ford’s Theatre production of “The Wiz,” directed by Kent Gash. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

Dorothy holds the hand of Glinda, as Glinda sings. Dorothy wears a white dress and silver shoes. Glinda wears an earth-toned full-length dress, necklace and head-dress inspired by Afro-futurism. In the background stand a shirtless man in a full-length skirt and a woman in a shiny midriff halter shirt and full-length skirt; their clothing is also inspired by Afro-futurism.

Ines Nassara as Dorothy and Awa Sal Secka as Glinda with (background) Da’Von T. Moody, Ashley D. Buster and Jonathan Adriel in the Ford’s Theatre production of “The Wiz,” directed by Kent Gash. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

Cast of the Ford’s Theatre production of “The Wiz,” directed by Kent Gash. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

"Opulent! Delectable! I confess I grinned a lot. It’s hard not to surrender as soon as you get an eyeful of Hasani Allen as the Scarecrow, flopping and hopping with buoyant rhythm."

– The Washington Post

"A production that will make everybody rejoice! As infectious as ever! Ines Nassara knows how to belt a number, especially the final ‘Home.’ Hasani Allen, who plays Scarecrow, is a brilliant dancer. His clear tenor voice is a nice fit for the song ‘I Was Born on the Day Before Yesterday.’"

– Theatermania

"A smash! 'The Wiz' will leave you enthralled, amazed and bedazzled. The show is a cornucopia of colors, dancing, singing, sizzle, rhythm and blues, jazz, funk and a touch of disco."

– DC Metro Theatre Arts

"Worth its weight in gold! Delightful, dizzying dance scenes! Ines Nassara can belt out a song as effortlessly as any other Dorothy before her ever has."

– Washington Informer

"Big, fun and flashy! The production is a bonafide party, a celebration of blackness in all its many forms. There’s a lot of laughs, a lot of heart and the pacing is as well-oiled as the Tinman’s knees. It feels familiar, but also remarkably modern."

– Washington City Paper

"Sweet! Sweet! Sweet! 'The Wiz' takes a tale with timeless themes and layers on … while offering a spectacle that’s visual morphine. Glorious costumes. Beautiful movements (including a trapeze sequence during 'Funky Monkeys')."

– DC Theatre Scene

"Smile-inducing! Friends of Dorothy, both young and young at heart, should find plenty to love in Ford’s Theatre’s 'The Wiz.'"

– Metro Weekly

"Following the Yellow Brick Road has never been so much fun or as magical! Spares no detail with its dazzling set design, eye-catching costumes, original choreography and moving numbers."

– Maryland Theatre Guide

"Visually stunning! High-powered and inventive! The Yellow Brick Road, the Emerald City, and the Wicked Witch's palace all come to life in Technicolor splendor. "

– Edge Washington

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