Broadway’s THE WIZ to Perform in New Orleans

Categories: CommunityEvents/What's HappeningNewsTheater

Scene from the Broadway musical THE WIZ performed at Saenger Theatre.

News Summary

Broadway in New Orleans will present the musical THE WIZ at Saenger Theatre from May 13 to May 18. A lottery ticket policy allows fans to access $39 tickets through Lucky Seat, with entries starting May 2. Special Student Rush Tickets will also be available for $30. The production features an exceptional cast and creative team, reviving the iconic story inspired by The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

New Orleans – Broadway in New Orleans, presented by Entergy, will stage the beloved musical “THE WIZ” at the Saenger Theatre from May 13 to May 18. To easily access tickets for this engaging production, a lottery ticket policy has been announced in collaboration with Lucky Seat, a digital ticket lottery platform.

Lottery tickets for THE WIZ will be available for only $39. Interested patrons can enter the lottery starting at 12 p.m. on May 2, with entries closing at 9:30 a.m. on May 9. Winners will receive notifications via email beginning at 10 a.m. on May 9, and they will have until 7 p.m. the same day to claim and purchase their tickets. Due to availability constraints, each individual can win a maximum of two tickets.

To participate, those interested must create a Lucky Seat account at LuckySeat.com. It is also important to note that some lottery tickets may feature a partial view, and while efforts will be made to seat groups together, there is a possibility that seats may be split up.

For convenience, lottery ticket pick-up will occur at the Box Office of the Saenger Theatre with a valid photo ID starting one hour prior to each performance. Additionally, Broadway in New Orleans will offer special Student Rush Tickets at $30. Students must present valid college identification at the Box Office, starting two hours before each evening performance, with a limit of two tickets per student ID.

THE WIZ features a compelling story, adapted from L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz“, emphasizing an all-Black musical experience. The production showcases a book by William F. Brown and a Tony Award-winning score by Charlie Smalls. This revival is directed by Schele Williams, with choreography by JaQuel Knight and additional material provided by Amber Ruffin, a Tony-nominated and Emmy-nominated writer and TV host.

The cast includes a lineup of talented performers, with Dana Cimone taking on the role of Dorothy, Alan Mingo Jr. as The Wiz, Sheherazade as Glinda, Kyla Jade as Aunt Em/Evillene, D. Jerome as the Tinman, Cal Mitchell as the Lion, and Elijah Ahmad Lewis as the Scarecrow. The ensemble also consists of numerous gifted performers that enhance the vibrant storytelling of THE WIZ.

The visual appeal of the production is aided by an exceptional design team, including Academy Award-winning scenic designer Hannah Beachler and Emmy Award-winning costume designer Sharen Davis. Audiences can look forward to enjoying iconic songs such as “Everybody Rejoice”, originally performed by Luther Vandross, as part of the memorable score.

THE WIZ first debuted on Broadway in 1975, subsequently winning seven Tony Awards and running for four years with a total of 1,672 performances. A film adaptation followed in 1978, featuring performances by Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. The most recent revival took place from March to August 2024 at the Marquis Theater in New York City, further affirming the musical’s lasting appeal and cultural significance.

Additional information about the tour and performance schedules can be found at WizMusical.com. Moreover, audiences can stay connected with THE WIZ on social media platforms including Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.