The Wiz music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls and a book by William F. Brown

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s Theatre Arts Program will close its 2024-25 season with one of the most popular musicals ever produced, “The Wiz”, directed by Miller Lucky, Jr., executive director of A&T’s Paul Robeson Theatre.
“The Wiz” follows the journey of Dorothy, a young girl from Kansas who is swept away by a tornado and transported to a magical world. As she navigates this strange new place, she befriends a Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion, all while searching for a way back home. To return, she must travel to the land of Oz and seek the help of the mysterious Wiz—facing challenges, including the wicked Evillene, along the way.
Guided by the iconic Yellow Brick Road, Dorothy encounters familiar sights like Munchkin Land, but in this unique production, she also ventures through Aggieland. Along her journey filled with unexpected twists, she discovers that the power to return home was within her all along.
This beloved and groundbreaking musical reimagines the classic "Wizard of Oz" story with an entirely African American cast. With music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls and a book by William F. Brown, the musical made its Broadway debut in 1975, winning seven Tony Awards, including the prestigious award for Best Musical. Featuring a soul, R&B and jazz-infused score, the story follows the Yellow Brick Road route first laid out in L. Frank Baum's 1900 book "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.”