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The beloved musical is back on the boards in its first revival in 40 years Published on April 18, 2024 09:58AM EDT Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images; John Nacion/Variety via Getty (2) The stars were easing on down the road on Wednesday, April 17, at the opening of hit revival of The Wiz.
After touring the country across 13 sold-out cities across America, the beloved musical finally hit Broadway for its first revival in 40 years.
Attending the milestone were a slew of stars including rappers Common and MC Lyte; engaged pair Ben Platt and Noah Galvin; Broadway greats Ben Vereen and LaChanze; daytime divas Sunny Hostin, Tamron Hall and Sherri Shepherd; and two former Dorothys — Shanice Williams (from NBC's The Wiz Live) and Stephanie Mills, The Wiz's first Dorothy, who attended alongside fellow original cast members André De Shields, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Ken Page.
All turned out the fashion, fittingly dressing in greens and golds to see the show — now playing at the Marquis Theatre in New York City.
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Based on L. Frank Baum's beloved children's book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Wiz premiered on Broadway in 1975 and became an instant sensation, audiences praising it for transforming one of the world's most enduring American fantasies into an all-Black musical extravaganza. Charlie Smalls' score — with songs from Luther Vandross and Timothy Graphenreed — blended '70s funk with soul, gospel, and rock, and spurred well-known hits like "Ease on Down the Road," "Brand New Day (Everybody Rejoice)" and "Home." It took home seven Tony awards including best musical. In 1978, a film adaptation starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Mabel King, Richard Pryor and Lena Horne (among others) hit theaters and became an a cult classic among audiences.
The current revival — directed by Schele Williams and produced by Real Housewives of Atlanta pair Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker (among others) — stars Nichelle Lewis as Dorothy, Avery Wilson as Scarecrow, Phillip Johnson Richardson as Tinman and Kyle Ramar Freeman as Lion.
Wayne Brady plays the The Wiz, while Deborah Cox takes on the role of Glinda. Melody A. Betts rounds out the principal cast as both Aunt Em and Evillene.
The Wiz ensemble includes Lauryn Adams, Maya Bowles, Shayla Alayre Caldwell, Jay Copeland, Allyson Kaye Daniel, Judith Franklin, Michael Samarie George, Collin Heyward, Amber Jackson, Olivia Jackson, Christina Jones, Polanco Jones, Kolby Kindle, Mariah Lyttle, Kareem Marsh, Alan Mingo, Jr., Anthony Murphy, Dustin Praylow, Cristina Rae, Matthew Sims Jr, Avilon Trust Tate, Keenan D. Washington and Timothy Wilson.
Here's a look at all the stars on opening night: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Tickets to The Wiz are now on sale.
Deborah Cox and Wayne Brady
Deborah Cox and Wayne Brady at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.
Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker
Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.
Brandee Evans
Brandee Evans at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.
Noah Galvin and Ben Platt
Noah Galvin and Ben Platt at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.
Amber Ruffin
Amber Ruffin at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.
Sherri Shepherd
Sherri Shepherd at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.
Sunny Hostin
Sunny Hostin at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.
Andy Cohen
Andy Cohen at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.
Tamron Hall
Tamron Hall at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Rodham Clinton at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.
Peppermint
Peppermint at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.
Leslie Uggams
Leslie Uggams at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.
LaChanze
LaChanze at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.
Stephanie Mills
Stephanie Mills at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.
Shanice Williams
Shanice Williams at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.
Nichelle Lewis
Nichelle Lewis at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.
Avery Wilson
Avery Wilson at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.
Phillip Johnson Richardson
Phillip Johnson Richardson at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.
Kyle Ramar Freeman
Kyle Ramar Freeman at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.
Melody A. Betts
Melody A. Betts at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.
Huma Abedin
Human Abedin at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.
Ben Vereen
Ben Vereen at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.
Melba Moore
Melba Moore at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.
Ken Page
Ken Page at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.
Anna Wintour
Anna Wintour at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.
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