About the work
The Wiz is a musical by Charlie Smalls (music and lyrics) with a book by William F. Brown, premiered on Broadway in 1975. This African American retelling of The Wizard of Oz won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
Plot
The young Dorothy from Kansas is carried by a tornado into the magical land of Oz. Along the yellow brick road she seeks the mighty wizard "The Wiz," who is to enable her journey home, and gains companions along the way: the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion. Together they overcome the wicked witch Evillene and discover that the power to grant their wishes has long lain within themselves. The story is steeped in soul, gospel, and funk.
Cultural significance
The Wiz was a milestone of African American musical theatre, bringing Black musical culture and talent prominently to Broadway. The song Ease on Down the Road became a hit. The 1978 Motown film with Diana Ross and Michael Jackson and an acclaimed 2015 NBC live special carried the work to new generations. It remains a symbol of cultural representation on stage.