Pop Star Ashanti to Headline Summer Encores! Production of The Wiz
The Wiz, an all African-American adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, has a book by William F. Brown, music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls and orchestrations by Harold Wheeler. The original production was directed by Geoffrey Holder and choreographed by George Faison and won seven 1975 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Choreography. The original Broadway production opened at the Majestic Theatre on January 5, 1975, and moved to the Broadway Theater on May 25, 1977, running for for a total of 1,672 performances. The show starred Stephanie Mills, Hinton Battle, Tiger Haynes, Ted Ross, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Andre De Shields.
Ashanti’s self-titled 2002 debut album, which included the hit single “Foolish,” landed at the #1 spot on both the Billboard Top 200 and R&B charts and won the Grammy for Best Contemporary R&B Album. Her follow-up album, Chapter II, debuted in the # 1 slot on the Billboard Album Chart and spawned two Top-10 singles. Her other albums include Ashanti’s Christmas,Concrete Ros, Collectibles by Ashanti and The Declaration. Ashanti's film credits include Coach Carter, Resident Evil Extinction, John Tucker Must Die and Bride & Prejudice. TV credits include Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch and American Dreams, in which she portrayed Dionne Warwick. She is the author of a book of poetry titled Foolish/Unfoolish: Reflections on Love. She also took part in last October's Wicked 5th anniversary benefit entitled The Yellow Brick Road Not Taken, singing the signature showstopper "Defying Gravity."
The Wiz will be choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler, with music direction by Alex Lacamoire, sets by David Korins, costumes by Paul Tazewell, lighting by Ken Billington and sound by ACME Sound Partners.