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WAYNE BRADY Jumping right into a present like this was leaping right into a recreation of double Dutch. My default Wayne will at all times be the 10-year-old Wayne, who’s a loner, performs by himself, listens to musical theater and writes as a result of he doesn’t slot in. So I inform myself, “Oh, I don’t know all these individuals, and so they already like one another.” But this stuff are at all times all in our head. Then you go, “Come on now. You wouldn’t be right here when you weren’t speculated to be right here, and that is your factor.” Now, that is my fourth Broadway present, so my job is to be right here to assist my solid.
“The Wiz” is understood for its iconic performances, on the stage and display screen. How did your predecessors affect your efficiency?
LEWIS When I bought the decision, the very first thing I did was watch this YouTube recording of Stephanie Mills doing the present. Every time she sang, it was so soulful that I might really feel it by means of the display screen. Then I watched a couple of clips of Diana Ross. If you watch the video of her singing “Home,” it’s as if she’s speaking on to you. So I wished to take the genuineness and ensure I put that into this Dorothy.
BRADY As a child, I didn’t solely deal with Richard Pryor [as The Wiz], I simply beloved the entire thing. Later, as soon as I began performing, I mentioned, “Well, if it ever comes round, I wish to be the Tinman or the Scarecrow.” And one time, I used to be even employed to be the Tinman for Des McAnuff’s [2006] manufacturing at La Jolla Playhouse, however I ended up doing one other TV present as a substitute.
Given that it’s a beloved basic, how did you guarantee the distinctiveness of this adaptation?
LEWIS My Dorothy is 15, and although she does have her Aunt Em, she nonetheless doesn’t really feel like she has somebody there for her. It’s form of an adolescent factor. It is necessary for Dorothy to seek out all of those completely different individuals on her journey who’re going by means of related issues and making an attempt to be snug of their pores and skin. My purpose was to create this one that is rising, and be capable of see that these adjustments are in her voice, inside her physique, and simply her being.
