Theater News

The Muny Completes Casting for Summer Run of The Wiz

The popular ”Wizard of Oz”-inspired musical fills out its St. Louis company.

Nathan Lee Graham will take on the title role in the Muny production of The Wiz.
Nathan Lee Graham will take on the title role in the Muny production of The Wiz.
(© David Gordon)

The Muny has announced its full cast, design, and production team for the theater's centennial season production of The Wiz (June 19-25).

Joining the previously announced Nathan Lee Graham (The Wiz), Jared Grimes (Scarecrow), and James T. Lane (Tinman), are Danyel Fulton (Dorothy), Darius de Haas (Lion), E. Faye Butler (Addaperle/Evillene), Demetria McKinney (Glinda), and Nessa (Toto). Rounding out the ensemble will be Akilah Ayanna, Rhaamell Burke-Missouri, Kevin Curtis, Chloé Davis, Timothy L. Edwards, Chavon Hampton, Cameron Anika Hill, Karma Jenkins, Amber Pickens, Malaiyka Amiyna Reid, Allysa Shorte, Donald Shorter, Voltaire Wade-Greene, Sir Brock Warren, Nathaniel J. Washington, and Brion Marquis Watson. The company will also be joined by the Muny Kid and Teen youth ensembles.

The creative team includes scenic design by Edward E. Haynes Jr., costume design by Leon Dobkowski, lighting design by Rob Denton, sound design by John Shivers and David Patridge, video design by Greg Emetaz, wig design by Leah J. Loukas, with animals trained by William Berloni Theatrical Animals, Inc., and production stage manager Nancy Uffner.

The Wiz will be directed by Denis Jones and choreographed by Camille A. Brown with music direction by Darryl Archibald. Based on L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Wiz features a book by William F. Brown with additional material by Tina Tippit, and music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls. Additional material for the Muny production is by Amber Ruffin.