The Wiz Brings Electrifying Magic to The National Theatre Through April 12
If you only have time for one show this week, make it The Wiz. The North American tour of this beloved musical is wrapping up its brief run at The National Theatre on April 12, and from everything DC's theatre community has to say, this one is not to be missed.
Written by William F. Brown with music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls, The Wiz first debuted on Broadway in 1975, winning seven Tony Awards including Best Musical. This modernized revival — which recently completed a limited Broadway run — reimagines L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz through the lens of the African American experience, telling Dorothy's familiar journey through a vibrant tapestry of soul, gospel, R&B, and funk. The result is a show that feels both rooted in tradition and freshly alive, a joyful celebration of Black culture, friendship, and the timeless truth that what we're searching for has been within us all along.
Dorothy (Phoenix Assata LaFreniere) is swept from Kansas to the magical land of Oz, where she sets off down the Yellow Brick Road alongside the Scarecrow (Elijah Ahmad Lewis), the Tinman (D. Jerome), and the Cowardly Lion (Cal Mitchell) in search of the mysterious Wiz (Alan Mingo Jr.). Standing in their way is the wicked Evillene (Kyla Jade), while the Good Witches Addaperle (Amitria Fanae) and Glinda (Sheherazade) offer guidance along the way.
The cast has been the runaway highlight of this production. LaFreniere commands the stage throughout the entire evening, her warm presence and impressive vocal range carrying Dorothy from wide-eyed innocence through hard-earned courage. She is rarely offstage, and never flags — her performances of "Wonder, Wonder Why" and the stirring ballad "Home" drawing particular praise for both their agility and emotional depth.
Lewis brings a wonderfully anarchic energy to the Scarecrow, his elastic physicality and scene-stealing acrobatics making him one of the most delightful presences on stage. Jerome's Tinman is a revelation — by turns funny, suave, and deeply moving, with a soulful vocal delivery that gives his solo numbers unexpected weight. Mitchell's Lion is all heart and raw energy, his tender tenor bringing genuine vulnerability to a character who might otherwise read as comic relief.
The performance drawing the loudest response night after night, however, is Kyla Jade's Evillene. Jade also plays the warm and maternal Aunt Em in the show's opening scenes, giving audiences a full display of her extraordinary vocal range before she transforms into the show's magnificent villain. Her gospel-fueled rendition of "Don't Nobody Bring Me No Bad News" has been described as a showstopper in every sense of the word — a thunderous, jaw-dropping vocal performance that brought audiences to their feet in an extended mid-show standing ovation. Jade is simply not to be missed.
Mingo's Wiz is a charismatic delight, mining big laughs from small gestures in a 1,700-seat house. Fanae turns what could have been minor roles into scene-stealing comic gold as the lovably eccentric Good Witch of the North. And the ensemble — working at full tilt from the opening number to the final curtain — delivers dancing and singing of truly exceptional quality, with the extended "Emerald City" sequence standing out as a jaw-dropping showcase of the company's collective talent.
Director Schele Williams and choreographer JaQuel Knight bring infectious, high-voltage energy to the production, weaving in African dance, modern movement, and cultural references that honor the show's roots with both care and exuberance. Costume designer Sharen Davis dresses the company in richly detailed, colorful looks that help make every character and scene visually unforgettable.
The score remains one of Broadway's great pleasures — from the irresistibly hummable "Ease on Down the Road" to the emotionally charged "Home," these songs lodge themselves in your head and your heart with equal ease.
The Wiz plays through April 12, 2026, at The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC. The show runs approximately two hours and 20 minutes with one intermission and is recommended for ages 8 and up.