The Wiz

Nearly half a century after its original Broadway production, William F. Brown and Charlie Smalls's groovy Black spin on The Wizard of Oz eases down the road once more in a revival directed by Schele Williams (who is also co-directing The Notebook this season). Newcomer Nichelle Lewis stars as Dorothy, and Kyle Ramar Freeman, Phillip Johnson Richardson and Avery Wilson are her travel companions; Deborah Cox and Melody A. Betts play the witches, and improv wizard Wayne Brady has the slick title role. JaQuel Knight (of “Single Ladies” fame) is the choreographer, and comedian Amber Ruffin peps up the script with new material.