Deborah Cox, Common, Sherri Shepherd and More Stars Hit Yellow Brick Carpet for Opening of The Wiz on Broadway

The beloved musical is back on the boards in its first revival in 40 years

Deborah Cox, Common, Sherri Shepherd and More Stars Hit Yellow Brick Carpet for Opening of The Wiz on Broadway
Deborah Cox, Common and Sherri Shepherd at the opening of 'The Wiz' on Broadway. Photo:

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.

Deborah Cox, Wayne Brady, Phillip Johnson Richardson, Nichelle Lewis, Avery Wilson, Kyle Ramar Freeman and Melody A. Betts pose onstage at the broadway opening night of "The Wiz"
Deborah Cox, Wayne Brady, Phillip Johnson Richardson, Nichelle Lewis, Avery Wilson, Kyle Ramar Freeman and Melody A. Betts pose onstage at the broadway opening night of 'The Wiz' at Marquee Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Based on L. Frank Baum's beloved children's book, The Wonderful Wizard of OzThe 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 RossMichael Jackson, Mabel King, Richard Pryor and Lena Horne (among others) hit theaters and became an a cult classic among audiences.

The Wiz Movie
Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, Diana Ross and Ted Ross in 'The Wiz.'. Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images

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:

01 of 25

Deborah Cox and Wayne Brady

 Deborah Cox and Wayne Brady attend the broadway opening night of "The Wiz
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.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

02 of 25

Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker

Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker attend the broadway opening night of "The Wiz"
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.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

03 of 25

Brandee Evans

Brandee Evans attends the broadway opening night of "The Wiz"
Brandee Evans at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

04 of 25

Noah Galvin and Ben Platt

Noah Galvin and Ben Platt at the opening night of "The Wiz"
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.

John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images

05 of 25

Amber Ruffin

Amber Ruffin at the opening night of "The Wiz"
Amber Ruffin at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.

John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images

06 of 25

Sherri Shepherd

Sherri Shepherd at the opening night of "The Wiz"
Sherri Shepherd at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.

John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images

07 of 25

Sunny Hostin

Sunny Hostin attends the broadway opening night of "The Wiz
Sunny Hostin at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

08 of 25

Andy Cohen

Andy Cohen at the opening night of "The Wiz"
Andy Cohen at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.

John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images

09 of 25

Tamron Hall

Tamron Hall at the opening night of "The Wiz"
Tamron Hall at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.

John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images

10 of 25

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Hillary Rodham Clinton attends the broadway opening night of "The Wiz"
Hillary Rodham Clinton at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

11 of 25

Peppermint

Peppermint at the opening night of "The Wiz"
Peppermint at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.

John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images

12 of 25

Leslie Uggams

Leslie Uggams at the opening night of "The Wiz"
Leslie Uggams at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.

John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images

13 of 25

LaChanze

LaChanze attends the broadway opening night of "The Wiz"
LaChanze at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

14 of 25

Stephanie Mills

Stephanie Mills, Farad Mills and guest attend the broadway opening night of "The Wiz"
Stephanie Mills at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

15 of 25

Shanice Williams

 Shanice Williams attends the broadway opening night of "The Wiz"
Shanice Williams at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

16 of 25

Nichelle Lewis

Nichelle Lewis at the opening night of "The Wiz"
Nichelle Lewis at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.

John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images

17 of 25

Avery Wilson

 Avery Wilson attends the broadway opening night of "The Wiz"
Avery Wilson at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

18 of 25

Phillip Johnson Richardson

Phillip Johnson Richardson attends the broadway opening night of "The Wiz"
Phillip Johnson Richardson at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

19 of 25

Kyle Ramar Freeman

Kyle Ramar Freeman attends the broadway opening night of "The Wiz"
Kyle Ramar Freeman at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

20 of 25

Melody A. Betts

Melody A. Betts attends the broadway opening night of "The Wiz"
Melody A. Betts at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

21 of 25

Huma Abedin

Huma Abedin attends the broadway opening night of "The Wiz"
Human Abedin at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

22 of 25

Ben Vereen

Ben Vereen at the opening night of "The Wiz"
Ben Vereen at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.

John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images

23 of 25

Melba Moore

Melba Moore attends the broadway opening night of "The Wiz"
Melba Moore at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

24 of 25

Ken Page

 Ken Page attends the broadway opening night of "The Wiz"
Ken Page at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

25 of 25

Anna Wintour

Anna Wintour at the opening night of "The Wiz"
Anna Wintour at the opening night of 'The Wiz' held at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2024 in New York City.

John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images

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Tickets to The Wiz are now on sale.

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