First there was “The Wizard of Oz.” And thanks to Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, new audiences are keenly aware of “Wicked.” But somewhere betwixt the telling of these tales, in 1975, came the re-telling of the story of Oz through the lens of blackness.
“The Wiz” debuted January 5, 1975, and this year, 50 years later, the Broadway sensation resumed touring and will land in Memphis, July 22–27, at the Orpheum Theatre.
One could say this Tony-award-winning production paved the way for the Black Liberation Movement that commenced in 1975, along with the Black is Beautiful movement and the Black Arts movement.
Orpheum President and CEO Brett Batterson agrees.
“‘The Wiz’ is an important piece of musical theatre history. It was the first musical ever to play Broadway that featured a Black cast and celebrated Black culture. ‘The Wiz’ broke racial barriers that had existed in American theatre forever. Without ‘The Wiz,’ we might not have seen ‘The Lion King,’ ‘Once on This Island’ or this year’s Tony-winning Best Play, ‘Purpose,’” said Batterson.
“‘The Wiz’ is Black legacy,” said JaQuel Knight, famed choreographer who debuted his skills on Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” video. Knight, the choreographer for ‘The Wiz,’ explored and integrated many facets of Black dance culture in the production.
“What’s great about choreographing for ‘The Wiz’ is taking all the sides of who we are as Black people, the complexities of who we are as artists, and putting that in the show,” said Knight.
He went on to share how dance is seemingly more integral to this production than many others.
“We have 24 dance numbers, spanning past, present and future, Emerald City, the 70s, house music out of South Africa, New Orleans bounce and more,” said Knight.
However, Knight knows that there would be no dance without music. Growing up in the south — North Carolina, then Atlanta, Georgia — music and dance have always gone hand-in-hand for him.
“I was always dancing in my grandma’s living room. Music was everywhere. There was always food, and there was always music,” said Knight.
His career in entertainment began with him playing saxophone. It wasn’t until age 16 that he took his first “proper” dance class.
“My best friend took me to this dance class, and it literally changed the trajectory of my life … what I wanted to be and what I wanted to do,” said Knight.
Knight found a home in dance.
Similarly, New Jersey-born, Harlem-bred Elijah Ahmad Lewis, Scarecrow for “The Wiz,” knew that he was destined for the big stage.
“I’ve been in the industry since I was 7 years old. My dad is a music producer, and my mom is an actress,” said Ahmad. His uncle? James “JT” Taylor, lead singer of Kool and the Gang. Ahmad’s appeared in several TV, film and Broadway productions to date, including “Mama I Want to Sing” and “Motown: The Musical,” in which he played Stevie Wonder.
Lewis, whose stage name is EAL, is looking forward to returning to a place he loves, after having most recently shared his portrayal of David Ruffin in the 2023 production of “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations” here in Memphis.
“Memphis is always a great time. It’s filled with culture and life, music of course,” said Lewis. “I’ve had so many great experiences in Memphis, from the Gospel world, to my time with ‘Motown: the Musical.’ And even though you’ve gone to a city over and over, it evolves and energy shifts so you can experience something fresh and new.”
And Memphis is a musical “home” for so many. Perhaps Lewis will record some music the next time he comes through, as he recently released an album entitled “Energy and Love.”
Lewis, who loves every aspect of the stage, from singing to dancing to delivering powerful lines, shared that his two favorite things about “The Wiz” are that it brings families and generations together, and that it’s universal.
“We’re all trying to find home, acceptance. That’s a universal story we strive to find every day,” said Lewis.
Batterson wants all of Memphis to know that they have a home at The Orpheum Memphis.
“The Orpheum Theatre Group’s commitment to diversity does not start and end with “The Wiz.” It also includes our efforts in hiring and advancement, recruitment of our Board of Directors, educational efforts, and all other activities we undertake as an institution. To be welcoming to all of our great city, we keep our commitment at the forefront of all our work,” said Batterson.
Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com
Follow JaQuel Knight on all social platforms at @JaQuelKnight
Follow Elijah Ahmad Lewis on social platforms at @elijah.ahmad.lewis
