The Wiz, Broadway’s Tony Award-winning genre-blending retelling of The Wizard of Oz, arrived in Costa Mesa on Tuesday as part of its 50th Anniversary national tour, celebrating the legacy of a show that has resonated across generations.
Among the principal cast is Elijah Ahmad Lewis, who stars as the Scarecrow; a role that carries deep personal significance. The Wiz was the first musical Lewis ever performed in, playing the Scarecrow in a school production, an experience he credits with sparking his love for musical theatre. Decades later, he returns to the character with the perspective of a seasoned performer whose career spans Broadway, national tours, television, and music.
This anniversary production, which runs through Jan. 25, infuses the classic story with contemporary movement and sound, blending ballet, jazz, and modern pop while honoring the show’s roots in Black culture and musical tradition…