New version of ‘The Wiz’ to tour nationally before Broadway bow during 50th anniversary

Nearly 50 years after first dazzling Broadway audiences, “The Wiz” will ease on down the road again.

A new version of the groundbreaking musical, based on “The Wizard of Oz,” will launch a national tour before landing on Broadway in 2024.

The production, announced Thursday, will be spearheaded by former “Aida” cast member Schele Williams and choreographed by JaQuel Knight, whose credits include Beyoncé's “Black Is King” film, and Jennifer Lopez and Shakira’s Super Bowl Halftime show.

Five-time Emmy Award-nominee Amber Ruffin will create additional material for the revival. The “Late Night with Seth Meyers” recently co-wrote the script for the current Broadway musical “Some Like It Hot.”

“The Wiz” is scheduled to premiere at Baltimore, Maryland’s Hippodrome Theatre in fall 2023 before a limited engagement on The Great White Way in the spring 2024.

The original 1974 production premiered in Baltimore and made stars out of Stephanie Mills, Dee Dee Bridgewater and André De Shields when it bowed on Broadway the next year. The Geoffrey Holder-directed show went on to win seven Tony Awards, including best musical.

Adapted as a Black version of L. Frank Baum’s classic story “The Wizard of Oz,” the stage musical was revived for a short spell in 1984.

Sidney Lumet’s beloved 1978 film reimagining starred Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Ted Ross, Nipsey Russell, Richard Pryor and Lena Horne.

In 2015, Tony Award winner Kenny Leon helmed NBC’s “The Wiz Live!” starring Shanice Williams, Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige and Uzo Aduba.