Kokandy Productions is ready to ease on down the road next spring, with full casting announced for its new production of The Wiz, directed by Jeff Award winner Lili-Anne Brown.
The revival of the 1975 Tony Award–winning musical by William F. Brown and Charlie Smalls, which updated The Wizard of Oz for an all black cast and a new score tinged with gospel, soul and R&B, will be led by Sydney Charles as Dorothy. Joining her on the yellow brick road will be Gilbert Domally as Scarecrow, Steven Perkins as Tin Man and Chuckie Benson as Lion. Other major roles will be played by Nicole Michelle Haskins, doubling as Aunt Em and Evillene, Dawn Bless as Glinda, Frederick Harris as The Wiz and Angela Alise as Addaperle.
Completing the ensemble will be Breon Arzell, Kyrie Courter, TJ Crawford, Desmond Gray, Jyreika Evelyn Guest, De'Jah Perkins, Tia Pinson and Michael Rawls. Arzell also serves as choreographer, with music direction by Jimmy Morehead. The design team includes Arnel Sancianco (set), Virginia Varland (costumes), Alexander Ridgers (lighting), Mike Patrick (sound), Kirstin Johnson (sound engineer) and Mealah Heidenreich (props), with Kait Samuels as stage manager and Ebony Chuukwu as assistant stage manager. The Wiz is set to run March 5–April 16 at Theater Wit. Tickets are on sale now.
