THE WIZ
Music by William F. Brown
Lyrics by Charlie Smalls

While similar in plot to “The Wizard of Oz”, The Wiz is a funky modern version of the Wizard of Oz. Dorothy, the little girl from Kansas is blown by a tornado into Munchkinland in the Land Of Oz. While there she meets the Scarecrow, the Tinman & the Cowardly Lion on the Yellow Brick Road. She defeats the evil witch and goes to see the powerful Wizard who turns out to be a phoney. However, he is able to convince Dorothy that she can do anything she wants if she just believes in herself. Dorothy also realizes the importance of home and her family.

The Wiz is a 1975 Broadway musical; an urbanized adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum exclusively featuring African American actors. The play features music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls, and a book by William F. Brown. The Wiz was adapted into a motion picture in 1978 by Motown Productions for Universal Pictures, starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, Ted Ross, and Lena Horne.

Name Gender Vocal Part

Dorothy female mezzo

Scarecrow male tenor

Tin Man male baritone

The Lion male baritone

Addaperle female mezzo

Evillene female alto

Glinda female alto

The Wizard male tenor

Aunt Em female mezzo

Yellow Brich Road/ Wiz Entourage
females /males

Tornado Dancers females/males

Royal Gate Keeper male spoken

Uncle Henry male spoken

Head Monkey male spoken

High Lord Underling male

Messanger male

Crows N/A

Ensemble N/A

Name	Gender	Vocal Part
Dorothy	female	mezzo
Scarecrow	male	tenor
Tin Man	male	baritone
The Lion	male	baritone
Addaperle	female	mezzo
Evillene	female	alto
Glinda	female	alto
The Wizard	male	tenor
Aunt Em	female	mezzo
Yellow Brich Road/ Wiz Entourage	females /males
Tornado Dancers	females/males
Royal Gate Keeper	male	spoken
Uncle Henry	male	spoken
Head Monkey	male	spoken
High Lord Underling	male
Messanger	male
Crows	N/A
Ensemble	N/A