"The Wiz" is a popular musical and film adaptation of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." One notable character in "The Wiz" is the Good Witch. In the original story, the Good Witch of the South is named Glinda, while in "The Wiz," the character is known as Addaperle. Addaperle is portrayed as a quirky and eccentric character who serves as a guide and mentor to Dorothy, the main protagonist. She first appears in Shiz University where she gives Dorothy a pair of magical silver slippers. These slippers play a crucial role in Dorothy's journey to find the Wiz and eventually return home to Kansas.

Costume for Glinda the Good Witch in The Wiz on Broadway

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .

IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.

Designed by Holder, Geoffrey, Trinidadian American, 1930 - 2014 Created by Grace Costumes Inc., American, founded 1961 Worn by Bridgewater, Dee Dee, American, born 1950 Subject of Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007 Date 1975 Medium Dress: synthetic fiber, net (textile), and chiffon Headdress: synthetic fiber, straw, wire, rhinestones, and metal Dimensions On form - dress with train (a) with hat (b): 92 × 50 × 28 in. (233.7 × 127 × 71.1 cm) Description This costume is comprised of two (2) pieces, a gown and an accompanying headdress, worn by Dee Dee Bridgewater as the character Glinda in the Broadway production of "The Wiz". Place used New York City, New York County, New York, United States, North and Central America Collection title Black Fashion Museum Collection Classification Clothing-Costume Type ensembles (costume) Topic Actors Clothing and dress Costume Musical Theatre Credit Line Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane Object number 2007.3.11 Restrictions & Rights Unknown - Restrictions Possible Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user. GUID http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5981bfebf-bdc2-4ca3-b3e6-470e79773fc9

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at [email protected]

Deborah Cox Joins Cast of ‘The Wiz’ Broadway-Bound Musical

The revival of the popular 1975 Broadway production, The Wiz, has attracted new stars to join the cast. R&B veteran Deborah Cox has been announced to play the role of Glinda, the Good Witch of the South.

The original production of The Wiz featured Dee Dee Bridgewater, while Lena Horne played the same role in the film adaptation. CeCe Peniston performed the role during a nationwide tour in the ’90s, and Uzo Aduba played it in NBC’s The Wiz Live! in 2015.

“I am so proud to announce that I will [be] back on Broadway in The WIZ,” wrote Cox in an Instagram post. “I will be portraying the role of Glinda. We gon be easin down the road first!! I’m excited we’ll be bringing this show to life for a whole new generation!”

She added, “My first encounter with The Wiz was when I was around 4 or 5. That’s when the movie came out. As a young Black girl from Toronto it was the first movie that I saw with a full black cast in a musical. I remember being wide eyed, in awe. It’s a dream come true to reimagine this role. This role embodies exactly where I am in my life and where I want to be. It’s so beautifully resonates a message that I want to convey to the world.”

In 2001, Cox portrayed The Cowardly Lion at Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration. The two-day concert was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. It featured additional appearances from Al Jarreau as the Tin Man, Jill Scott as the Scarecrow and Monica as Dorothy. This section of the show was an ode to Jackson’s role as the Scarecrow in the 1978 film adaption of The Wiz.

Circling back to the forthcoming musical, it has been announced that Melody A. Betts will portray both Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Aunt Em, while Alan Mingo Jr. and Wayne Brady will alternate the role of The Wiz.

Mingo will take on the role during the pre-Broadway tour in the fall, while Brady will take over for the spring 2024 shows.

Previously announced cast members include Avery Wilson (Scarecrow), Phillip Johnson Richardson (Tinman) and Kyle Remar Freeman (Lion). The lead role of Dorothy is still unannounced.

The upcoming revival of The Wiz will be directed by Schele Williams. The show will feature William F. Brown’s screenplay and Charlie Smalls’ music and lyrics. The production is based on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, a novel written by L. Frank Baum.

The team behind the upcoming production includes Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Brian Anthony Moreland, Todd Tucker, and Kandi Burruss-Tucker as producers. JaQuel Knight has been chosen to choreograph the show.

The Wiz will start its first Broadway-bound tour in 40 years at the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore from Sept. 23 to Sept. 30. It will tour U.S. cities until 2023 and have a short run in San Diego, San Francisco, and Los Angeles in 2024.

Cox first starred in a Broadway production in 2004 when she filled the title role of Aida, a musical helmed by Elton John and Tim Rice. She returned to Broadway in 2016, taking the roles of Josephine Baker in Josephine and Whitney Houston in a musical version of the hit 1992 movie The Bodyguard.

The news of Cox’s Broadway return comes after she was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2022 and received the Entertainer Icon Award at the 2020 Black Music Honors.

That same year she was awarded the latter statuette, she appeared on Rico Love’s album Rico Love Presents: Emerging Women in R&B. A year prior, she dropped the song “Easy Way,” which was written and produced by Love.

Cox has yet to release a proper album of new material since 2008’s The Promise. In 2015, she announced a new album titled Work of Art with the singles “Kinda Miss You” and “More Than I Knew,” but the album was never released.

Instead, Cox released I Will Always Love You, an album featuring songs previously performed by Whitney Houston, which coincided with her role in The Bodyguard musical.

The Wiz 2023-2024 Season Schedule

Sep 23 – Sep 30, 2023 – Baltimore, MD @ Hippodrome Theatre
Oct 3 – Oct 22, 2023 – Cleveland, OH @ Playhouse Square
Oct 24 – Oct 29, 2023 – Washington, D.C. @ National Theatre
Oct 31 – Nov 5, 2023 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Benedum Center
Nov 7 – Nov 12, 2023 – Charlotte, NC @ Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
Nov 14 – Nov 19, 2023 – Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theatre
Nov 21 – Nov 26, 2023 – Greenville, SC @ The Peace Center
Nov 28 – Dec 10, 2023 – Chicago, IL @ Cadillac Palace Theatre
Dec 12 – Dec 17, 2023 – Des Moines, IA @ Des Moines Civic Center
Jan 2 – Jan 7, 2024 – Tempe, AZ @ ASU Gammage
Jan 9 – Jan 14, 2024 – San Diego, CA @ Civic Theatre
Jan 16 – Feb 11, 2024 – San Francisco, CA @ Golden Gate Theatre
Feb 13 – Mar 3, 2024 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Pantages Theatre

Tickets for The Wiz can be purchased at wizmusical.com.

‘The Wiz’ Casts ‘Orange Is the New Black’s’ Uzo Aduba & ‘Glee’ Alum Amber Riley

Aduba will play Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, who finally reveals the secret of the silver slippers to Dorothy and points her way home.

Riley will portray Addaperle, the Good Witch of the North. She is the sister of Glinda, Evillene and Evvamene, the other three witches of Oz. Addaperle points Dorothy to the Yellow Brick Road and her journey to Emerald City.

The pair joins Queen Latifah, who will play the Wiz; Mary J. Blige, who is set as the Wicked Witch of the West; David Alan Grier as the Cowardly Lion; original cast member Stephanie Mills, who will play Aunt Em; and Shanice Williams, who landed the lead role of Dorothy.

“We are so happy to welcome two actors we’ve admired and wanted so much to work with,” said exec producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. “We look forward to showcasing the amazing musical talents of Amber and we are eager to introduce Uzo’s remarkable singing voice for those who know her solely as an extraordinary dramatic actress.”

Aduba, who is up for another Emmy this year for her work on Netflix’s “OITNB,” made her Broadway debut in “Coram Boy” in 2007 and then appeared in the hit musical revival of “Godspell” in 2011. Her other theater credits include “Translations of Xhosa,” “Dessa Rose,” “Turnado: Rumble for the Ring” and “Abyssinia.” She graduated with a classical music major from the Boston University School of Fine Arts.

Riley played Mercedes Jones on Fox’s song-and-dance hit “Glee,” showing off her musical abilities, and also won Season 17 of “Dancing With the Stars.”

Along with exec producers Zadan and Meron, the creative team includes stage director Kenny Leon, TV director Matthew Diamond and writer Harvey Fierstein.

NBC’s “Wiz” is adapted from L. Frank Baum’s classic “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” with a book by William F. Brown, and music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls. The original musical opened on Broadway in 1975. In 1978, the show was turned into a movie, which starred Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Lena Horne and Richard Pryor.

“The Wiz Live!” debuts on Dec. 3.

Aduba is repped by APA, Management 360 and Schreck Rose Dapello & Adams LLP. Riley is repped by Coast To Coast Talent Group and SB Projects.

These slippers play a crucial role in Dorothy's journey to find the Wiz and eventually return home to Kansas. Unlike other versions of the Good Witch, Addaperle is not depicted as a serene and ethereal figure. Instead, she is portrayed as a scatterbrained and clumsy character, often causing unintentional mishaps and chaos.

However, her heart is always in the right place, and she genuinely wants to help Dorothy reach her destination. Throughout the story, Addaperle provides guidance and support to Dorothy, emphasizing the importance of self-belief and inner strength. She encourages Dorothy to have faith in herself and her abilities, reminding her that she has the power within her to overcome any obstacles she may encounter on her journey. Addaperle's character adds a unique and humorous element to "The Wiz," providing comedic relief amidst the more serious and dramatic moments of the story. Her quirks and eccentricities make her a memorable and lovable character, contributing to the overall charm and appeal of the musical and film adaptation. In conclusion, the Good Witch in "The Wiz" is known as Addaperle. She is portrayed as a quirky and eccentric character who guides and supports Dorothy throughout her journey. Despite her clumsiness, Addaperle is a wise and well-intentioned mentor, teaching Dorothy the importance of self-belief and inner strength. Her character adds humor and charm to the story, making her a memorable part of "The Wiz.".

Reviews for "The Wiz's Good Witch: A Source of Wisdom and Guidance"

1. Emily - 2 stars

I was really excited to watch "The Wiz Good Witch" as I am a fan of fantasy movies, but I was sorely disappointed. The plot was confusing and poorly developed. It felt like the filmmakers were trying to cram too many ideas into one movie, and as a result, everything felt rushed and disjointed. The characters lacked depth and seemed one-dimensional. I couldn't connect with any of them or understand their motivations. Overall, "The Wiz Good Witch" failed to deliver on its promise of a captivating fantasy adventure.

2. Mark - 1 star

"The Wiz Good Witch" was one of the most disappointing movies I have ever watched. The acting was subpar, with most of the cast delivering wooden performances. The special effects were also underwhelming, and it was evident that the budget constraints hindered the visual presentation. Additionally, the dialogue was cheesy and cliché, making it hard to take the movie seriously. The story had potential, but the execution fell flat. I found myself uninterested and disengaged throughout the entire film. I would not recommend "The Wiz Good Witch" to anyone looking for an enjoyable fantasy experience.

3. Samantha - 2 stars

I had high hopes for "The Wiz Good Witch" as I am a fan of magical and whimsical movies. However, this movie didn't live up to my expectations. The pacing was off, with some scenes feeling excessively long and others rushed. The character development was lacking, and I couldn't fully invest in their journeys. Moreover, the visual effects were mediocre and failed to immerse me in the magical world. While there were a few enjoyable moments, overall, "The Wiz Good Witch" failed to deliver a captivating and enchanting experience.

The Magical Abilities of The Wiz's Good Witch