The Wiz!

Ashanti Stars in “The Wiz” 26-May-2009Written by: Jonathan White Ashanti will “ease on down the Yellow Brick Road” to Oz. The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter will make her theatrical debut as Dorothy in a revival of The Wiz, the urbanized version of the classic story, The Wizard of Oz. The R&B artist will star as Dorothy in the Encores! Summer Stars production of the Charlie Smalls-William F. Brown musical, The Wiz, at New York City Center, reports the New York Times. Ashanti should know her way through Oz by now. Not only is she recognized in ABC's The Muppets' Wizard of Oz, a television special in 2005, but also played the Wicked Witch of the West for a charity production of Wicked, reports MTV.At a press conference for The Wiz, the singer got a chance to sing "Home," from the show. "I think so many people relate to that song on so many different levels. Obviously, for me, being gone and traveling so much, you miss home, and you get a sense of 'I miss it,' so when I'm there, I take advantage," she said. "Then again, so many people are able to relate to it." The cast includes Orlando Jones (Mad TV) as the Wiz and LaChanze (Broadway's The Color Purple) as Glinda. Ashanti can't wait to start working with them.According to BroadwaryWorld.com, The Wiz will run June 12 - July 5. Tickets range from $25-$110 and are available at the New York City Center Box Office at 212-581-1212, or online at http://www.nycitycenter.org/.

The first photo is of Dawn Lewis and Ashanti, the second Tischina Arnold and the third Orlando Jones, Joshua Henry, Ashanti and James Monroe Iglehart

From these stills the play looks as if it will be a great one especially with the cast...wouldn't mind seeing this myself...

(Source:Rhymes)