Jones, LaChanze, Arnold, Lewis, Henry and More Will Join Ashanti in The Wiz

By Andrew Gans
and Adam Hetrick
07 May 2009

LaChanze
LaChanze

Complete casting has been announced for the City Center Encores! Summer Stars production of the Charlie Smalls-William F. Brown musical The Wiz, which will feature the previously reported R&B artist Ashanti as Dorothy.

Tony-nominated In the Heights director Thomas Kail and his Tony-winning collaborators, Andy Blankenbuehler (choreographer) and Alex Lacamoire (musical director), will stage the production, which plays the famed venue June 12-July 5. The production officially opens June 18.

Joining Ashanti onstage will be Orlando Jones at The Wiz, Tony winner LaChanze as Glinda, Tichina Arnold as Evillene, Dawnn Lewis as Addaperle, Joshua Henry as the Tinman, James Monroe Iglehart as the Lion and Christian White as the Scarecrow.

The ensemble will comprise includes Raymond Bennett, Tanya Birl, Darlesia Cearcy, Asmeret Ghebremichael, Angela Grovey, Ebony Haswell, Lauren Lim Jackson, Carl Lation, Maurice Lauchner, Jennifer Locke, Amy McClendon, Kenna Morris, John Eric Parker, Herman Payne, Ryan Rankine, Levensky Smith, Ephraim Sykes, Adrienne Warren, Daniel J. Watts, Juson Williams and Will Wingfield.

The Wiz will have scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting by Ken Billington and sound by ACME Sound Partners.

William F. Brown wrote the book for the soulful contemporary retelling of L. Frank Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" that features music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls. The original 1974 production, directed by Geoffrey Holder and choreographed by George Faison, won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical. The premiere Broadway company featured Hinton Battle, Tiger Haynes, Stephanie Mills, Ted Ross, Dee Dee Bridgewater, André De Shields and Mabel King.

For tickets, phone (212) 581-1212, or visit CityCenter. City Center is located at West 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues.