Who was in the original Broadway cast of The Wiz?
Who was in the original Broadway cast of The Wiz?
André De Shields
The original production starred Stephanie Mills as Dorothy, Tiger Haynes as the Tinman, Ted Ross as the Lion, Hinton Battle as the Scarecrow, Clarice Taylor as Addaperle, Mabel King as Evillene, André De Shields as the Wiz, and Dee Dee Bridgewateer as Glinda alongside Tasha Thomas, Phylicia Ayers-Allen, Leettie Battle.
Who was supposed to play Dorothy The Wiz?
Stephanie Mills
Gordy originally wanted the teenaged future R&B singer Stephanie Mills, who had originated the role on Broadway, to be cast as Dorothy. When Motown star Diana Ross asked Gordy if she could be cast as Dorothy, he declined, saying that Ross—then 33 years old—was too old for the role.
Why was Diana Ross cast in The Wiz?
The 1978 movie version was supposed to star Stephanie Mills. Diana Ross was adamant that she wanted to play Dorothy in the film version, however. The original producers at Motown thought Ross was too old for the part, but Ross persuaded Universal Pictures to make the film with her in the lead.
Who is still alive from The Wiz?
Diana Ross
leaves Diana Ross as the sole surviving principal cast member of “The Wiz,” Motown’s film version of the Broadway production — itself a re-telling of the L. Frank Baum novel, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” (Though not a main cast member, Stanley Greene, who played Uncle Henry, is still living.)
Who was the original cast of the Wiz?
The original film version from 1978 starred Diana Ross (Dorothy), Michael Jackson (Scarecrow), Nipsey Russell (Tin Man), Ted Ross (Cowardly Lion), Lena Horne (Glinda) and Richard Pryor (The Wiz). EPIC!
Who played the Scarecrow in the Wiz?
Hinton Battle originated the role of the Scarecrow in the 1975 Broadway musical The Wiz, and Michael Jackson played the Scarecrow in the 1978 film adaptation.
Who played The Wiz in the Wiz?
It is based off the successful 1975 Broadway show of the same name. The film starred actress and singer Diana Ross as Dorothy Gale , Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow , Nipsey Russell as the Tinman, Ted Ross as the Cowardly Lion , Lena Horne as Glinda and Richard Pryor as The Wiz. It was neither a commercial or a box office success.
Is Wiz on Broadway?
The Wiz is a musical re-imagining of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, with an all African-American cast. It premiered on Broadway in 1975.