Academy, Grammy and Emmy Award-winning artist Common and hip-hop star MC Lyte have joined the co-producing team behind the 2024 revival of “The Wiz.” The production, which will mark the first Main Stem and touring producing credit for both, will tour the U.S. before landing on Broadway.
“I am so blessed to be part of this production of ‘The Wiz,’” Common said in a statement. “Theater has always affected me in a way that reaches my soul and spirit, in some measure because I didn’t realize as a kid that I could dream big enough to be part of it. This is a true dream come true as one of my favorite movies growing up was ‘The Wiz.’ My only hope is that this production can inspire someone else to chase their dreams and create their art.”
MC Lyte said in a statement, “It is my greatest pleasure to have the opportunity to serve as an investor in this historic production of ‘The Wiz.’ Having grown up watching all of the Broadway musicals in the ’70s and ’80s, ‘The Wiz’ has always been a favorite of mine. Now, as a co-producer, I’m honored to be able to partner behind the scenes and with communities nationwide to help make this production an artistic and memorable treasure for future generations.”
Common, who made his Broadway stage debut as Junior in the 2022 Tony-nominated mounting of “Between Riverside and Crazy,” is also known for his 14 studio albums, two New York Times bestselling memoirs and philanthropic work.
MC Lyte is a Grammy-nominated DJ and rapper whose career has spanned more than four decades.
As previously announced, the national tour of “The Wiz” will launch from Baltimore on Sept. 23. Schele Williams will direct with choreography by JaQuel Knight and additional material by Amber Ruffin, Joseph Joubert and Allen René Louis.
“The Wiz” features a book by William F. Brown and a score by Charlie Smalls.
The revival is being produced by Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Brian Anthony Moreland and Ambassador Theatre Group.
