The production is currently playing at the Manchester based theatre – with press night taking place this evening (Sunday 28th November).

Now playing at the Hope Mill Theatre until the 16th January 2022, production images have been released for this revival of the musical directed by Matthew Xia (Into the Woods, Royal Exchange).

Based on L. Frank Baum’s classic children’s novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the cast for this new production includes: Cherelle Wiliams as Dorothy; Tarik Frimpong as Scarecrow; Llewellyn Graham asTin Man; Jonathan Andre as Lion; Cameron Bernard Jones ad The Wiz; Anelisa Lamola as Addaperle; Bree Smith as Aunt Em and Glinda; Kofi Dennis as Lord High; and Ashh Blackwood as Evillene. Meanwhile, the ensemble is formed of Andile Mabhena, Shayna McPherson, Dylan Gordon-Jones, Samantha Shuma, and Marisha Morgan.

This new UK production is the first time the musical has been seen over here in 10 years. It features music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls, book by William F. Brown and original orchestrations by Harold Wheeler.

The 1975 Broadway production of The Wiz won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. It has since had revivals in New York, London, San Diego, and the Netherlands, and a limited-run revival was presented by Encores! at New York City Center in June 2009. A big-budget film adaptation of the same name was released in 1978, with Ted Ross and Mabel King reprising their roles. 

The creative team behind this production includes: Musical Supervisor and Orchestrations Sean Green;  Musical Director Ehsaan Shivarani; Choreographer Leah Hill; Design Simon Kenny; Projection Designer  George Reeve, Associate Projection Designer  Kira May O’Brien, Associate Costume Design Maybelle Laye; Lighting Design Simisola Majekodunmi; Sound Design Tony Gayle; Casting Director Ryan Carter; Casting Mentor Anne Vosser.

It has been produced by Hope Mill Theatre, Ameena Hamid Productions & Chuchu Nwagu Productions.

The Wiz continues to play at the Hope Mill Theatre until the 16th January 2022.