Murfreesboro, TN – Cal Mitchell grew up in Murfreesboro watching “The Wiz” with his family, never imagining he’d one day be part of the magic himself. Now, the Middle Tennessee State University theatre alum is living that dream—roaring onto the stage as the Lion in the Tony Award-winning musical’s national tour, which stops at Nashville’s Tennessee Performing Arts Center Sept. 23–28, 2025.
“This show was part of my childhood,” Mitchell said. “Now it’s part of my career.” He first joined the cast as an ensemble member and understudy, but halfway through the tour, he was promoted to the full-time role of the Lion. It’s his national tour debut, and it’s deeply personal.
Mitchell’s journey began at Siegel High School and took off at MTSU, where he majored in theatre and minored in musical theatre performance. From “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” to “Godspell,” he credits his time at MTSU for shaping his craft and preparing him for the demands of professional theatre…