Inside Opening Night of The WIZ w/ André De Shields, Stephanie Mills, Dee Dee Bridgewater & More

Opening Night of The WIZ w/ André De Shields, Stephanie Mills, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ken Page & More
Video by Lia Chang/@BackstagePasswithLiaChang
Photos and Video: Inside Opening Night of the Broadway Revival of THE WIZ w/ André De Shields, Stephanie Mills, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ken Page, George Faison, and More wp.me/pXK8r-4lQ
The revival of The Wiz-the beloved, Black retelling of L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz-opened at the Marquis Theatre on April 17. Helmed by Schele Williams, The Wiz stars Nichelle Lewis as Dorothy, Deborah Cox as Glinda, Melody A. Betts as Aunt Em/Evillene, Kyle Ramar Freeman as the Lion, Phillip Johnson Richardson as the Tinman, Avery Wilson as the Scarecrow and Wayne Brady as The Wiz.
Members of the original Broadway company including André De Shields (The Wiz), Stephanie Mills (Dorothy), Dee Dee Bridgewater (Glinda), and Tony Award winning choreographer George Faison had a grand reunion pre-show and during intermission at The Marquis. After the curtain call, the entourage visited and took pictures with the cast backstage.

[@davidphillips2177]

How wonderful to see Lady Dee Bridgewater, André and other from the original cast praising the current production of the Wiz.

[@carolfosterdanceify]

I do hope there was mention of original cast member HINTON BATTLE who recently transitioned. Rest in heavenly power!!

[@richardgoodjoin3250]

It is so wonderful seeing the original cast members at the opening. THE WIZ was the first Broadway show I saw back in the 70's with the original cast. Some of my current favorite performers DEE DEE , Stephanie and Andre are from that fantastic production. I did get a chance to see the new version here in Atlanta and loved the young woman who played Dorothy

[@Dolittlesart]

This is epic! EPIC! I saw the original, I watched the movie, I used to know every song by heart and now at the ripe age of 64, I get to see it AGAIN! EPIC!

[@brandonthomsen]

What a special video! Thank you for sharing this. I felt like a very fortunate "fly on the wall."

[@marlenezychowicz3564]

I’m so happy to see this tribute. All I’ve heard about is the movie,and that it did open on Broadway, but no mention of Andre, who actually started it all!

[@tonyrossbackinthedaymusicv3107]

Thank You for sharing.

[@corneliuswhite5139]

That's Beautiful!!

[@larkt6693]

Thanks for sharing this ❤

[@kimjohnson6700]

The show was AMAZING!!!!!!

[@TheWizBroadway]

💛💛💛

[@blackbroadwayandbeyond]

Thank you! This is beautiful ❤️

[@obiephillips9174]

Wayne can't hold a candle to Andre's take on the wiz!

[@roseo7082]

That is Deborah Cox and not not her...