When the 50th anniversary tour of “The Wiz” opens at the Arsht Center for the Performing Arts as the first show in its Broadway in Miami season, two cast members will be performing on a stage where, as youngsters, they once watched from the seats.
Amitria Fanae’, who plays Addaperle, The Good Witch of the North, and understudies the roles of Aunt Em and Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West, is a native of Miami. Kameren Whigham, a member of the ensemble, is originally from Fort Lauderdale. Both grew up immersed in South Florida’s performing arts scene.
“My very first stage experience was going to see a production of ‘Tambourines to Glory’ at Miami Northwestern Senior High School,” Fanae’ said.
“I remember being so captivated by it. There was something so mesmerizing about seeing the arts and the actors being able to tell a story and it being so real,” added the graduate of Booker T. Washington Senior High School in Miami.
Whigham — who said he “came out of the womb dancing,” first getting into hip-hop and ballroom, then ballet, jazz, modern and musical theater — was also shaped by South Florida’s arts programs.
“I used to go to the Arsht Center and watch the Miami City Ballet, and I saw shows like ‘The Lion King’ at that very theater,” said Whigham, a graduate of Dillard High School’s performing arts program. “Now I get to perform on that same stage.”
The national tour of “The Wiz” is scheduled to make two stops in South Florida: Oct. 7-12 at the Arsht Center in Miami and Oct. 21-26 at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach.
After a 2024 Broadway run as a revival of the groundbreaking 1975 all-Black cast retelling of “The Wizard of Oz,” the musical reimagines the L. Frank Baum tale for a new generation, weaving in soul, R&B, gospel-rock and ’70s funk. In its first national tour of the revival, Whigham said there are a few updates.
“The heart of ‘The Wiz’ stays the same, but the heartbeat changes — a more modern sound, with contemporary fusion movement,” said Whigham.
Both performers followed their own yellow brick roads out of South Florida. Now living in Atlanta, Fanae’ went on to star as Celie in “The Color Purple,” as well as in “Dreamgirls,” “Ain’t Misbehavin,’” “Godspell” and Disney’s “Festival of the Lion King.” Whigham, a graduate of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, has danced with the Philadelphia Dance Co. (PHILADANCO!) and appeared in Tyler Perry’s “A Jazzman’s Blues.”
This is the first Broadway national tour for both performers, and bringing this milestone production home feels like a full-circle moment.
“It’s a blessing,” said Whigham. “Growing up, I knew I wanted to inspire and give back to people, so I’m honored that my family, friends and community get to see me perform on that very stage.”
Fanae’ echoed the sentiment, noting the pride she feels representing Miami as part of a national tour.
“I’m excited for my community to see the work that I put in and to know that there is beauty that comes from Liberty City and Overtown — and that no dream is too impossible to achieve with good work and faith,” she said.
Fanae’ also spoke about the impact of young audiences seeing characters that feel representative of them.
“For little Black and Brown kids to be able to sit in the audience and see themselves in these characters — that’s everything. It says, ‘You can do this too, and your story matters,’ ” she said.
“Sometimes I have to pinch myself and be thankful I get to carry the torch of this legacy — that I get to inspire the next generation, just like I was inspired growing up watching ‘The Wiz,’ ” Whigham said.
Choreographer JaQuel Knight agreed. Inspired by his two South Florida performers, he also wants the production to be an inspiration.
“Especially the kids who will get to see themselves on stage, see themselves in these characters, and know they can dream just as big,” he said.
Knight was the creative force behind Beyoncé’s dance moves on “Single Ladies” and has choreographed a long list of headline-making performances — from Shakira’s 2020 Super Bowl halftime show to Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s “WAP” video.
But for him, “The Wiz” stands apart.
“It’s something about the story, how it’s told in this version, that feels like it’s a piece for everyone — regardless of your age range, regardless of where you come from,” he said. “There’s a little piece of music, a little piece of song, a little piece of story that everyone can lean into, and that makes this version very important for now.”
As “The Wiz” marks its 50th anniversary, the show’s themes may be as timely as ever.
“Right now, this story is what we need. Dorothy finding her tribe — people who don’t look like her — and choosing community,” said Knight.
For Fanae’, it’s also an opportunity for audiences to look within.
“‘The Wiz’ shows us that we already have everything we need. Dorothy didn’t have to go searching far and wide — she had courage, love and wisdom within her all along. That’s the kind of reminder audiences need right now.”
IF YOU GO
WHAT: “The Wiz”
WHEN/WHERE:
- Oct. 7-12 at Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami
- Oct. 21-26 at Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach
COST: $47.97-$176.67 (Arsht); $51.75-$155.25 (Kravis)
INFORMATION: 305-949-6722 or arshtcenter.org; 561-832-7469 or kravis.org
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