The Wiz
More about the show
With a powerhouse score blending funk, soul, gospel, and R&B—including hits like “Ease on Down the Road” and “Home”—this Tony Award-winning musical celebrates courage, friendship, and self-discovery ~ by being fresh, fierce, and full of heart.
Book by William F. Brown
Music and Lyrics by Charlie Smalls
From the story “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum
~RUNNING TIME~
ACT ONE: 60 minutes | ACT TWO: 43 minutes
Creative Team
directed & choreographed
EMILY SHACKELFORD &
MARC WAYNE
music director
DESMOND MASON
scenic designer
JOHN ROHR
costume designer
KEYON MONTÉ
lighting designer
NICOLE JAJA
sound designer
JACOB SOUDERS
stage manager
LACEY WILLIS
Performers
Angel Z Duong
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Angel Z Duong is excited to be back on the MTH stage! She’s known for her dynamic stage presence and expressive movement in burlesque, musical theatre, and tap. Credits: (MTH) STEVIE, A Chorus Line, Guys & Dolls, CATS, Rent [Choreographer], Moby Dick: A Sea Shanty, (The Black Box) Christmas Ain’t A Drag [Choreographer], (Quixotic Fusion) Luxuria, Tryst, Whiskey Dynamite. @AngelZDuong
Brietta Goodman
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Brietta Goodman is ecstatic to be a part of this DREAM production! Local: A Christmas Carol (Ensemble & Swing/KCRep); Porgy & Bess (Ensemble/Lyric Opera of KC); Rent (Joanne), Sweeney Todd:Demon…FT (Ensemble/Musical Theater Heritage); Moulin Rouge Performer (Worlds of Fun); Hairspray (Motormouth Maybelle/Black Repertory Theatre KC & White Theater at The J); Rent (Joanne/Melting Pot & White Theater at The J); She Persisted (Harriet Tubman & others), Sister Act (Deloris), Seussical (Sour Kangaroo/Theater In The Park) Regional: Once on This Island, A Christmas Carol, Chicken & Biscuits, Clue, Beautiful: Carole King Musical, Charlotte’s Web, The Prom, and The Lightning Thief (Charleston Stage) Education: BA, Theatre, University of Southern Mississippi Instagram: @b.goodman_ @b.good.performs
Courtney Germany
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Courtney Germany, a Kansas City native, grew up dancing locally and studied at The University of Kansas Department of Dance as well as BDC in New York City. Courtney has appeared in MTH productions as well as served as a Teaching artist at our summer camps. Courtney’s MTH credits include Blame is On The Boogie, Stevie – Signed Sealed Delivered, A Spectacular Christmas, and Cabaret.
Douglass Walker
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Performance credits include: Musical Theater Heritage: Guys and Dolls, The Christmas Spectacular, STEVIE, In The Heights, Porgy and Bess, Ruby Room Series-For The Culture, Ruby Room Series- Songs Sung Blue, Ruby Room Series- Let’s Get It On, Ruby Room Series-That’s What Friends Are For, R & H Unplugged, In the Heights; KC Melting Pot Theatre: The Amen Corner; The Coterie Theatre: Alice’s Wonderland; Spinning Tree Theatre: Caroline or Change, Billy Elliot, Once On This Island; The Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City: 5 Guys Named Moe (2016 & 2026), A Soldier’s Play, Memphis (2018), OTHELLO: A Hip-Hop Remix; The Black Repertory Theatre/The White Theatre at the J: Memphis (2022); Lead to Read/Read for 15 Reading Rally- host/emcee (2023 – 2025); Santa Clause.
Hew McKoy
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Coming soon…
Koko Blanton
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Koko is thrilled to be making her MTH debut in THE WIZ. She is new to KC and recently performed in RENT (u/s Joanne, ensemble) at the White Theatre. Recent credits include Deloris in SISTER ACT, Little Inez in HAIRSPRAY and Elle Woods in LEGALLY BLONDE at FCMT in NM, plus A CHRISTMAS CAROL national tour. Her hometown of Wichita provided many dream roles: Esmerelda (THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME), Elle Woods (LEGALLY BLONDE), and Shug Avery (THE COLOR PURPLE) at Roxy’s; Mimi (RENT) and Deena (DREAMGIRLS) at the Crown, plus several shows at MTWichita. Koko studied Music Theatre/Dance at WSU.
Malik Hughes
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Malik Hughes is grateful to be part of The Wiz. Regional credits include Brigadoon (MTH), Unbreakable (HMCKC), Little Shop of Horrors (CTI), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (The Barn Players), and Carousel and Rent (MTH). Much love to family and friends for their constant support. @malikhughes.
Maurissa Cunningham
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Rooted in truth and fueled with fire Maurissa is excited to be back at MTH bringing the Emerald City to life !! Credits include LILLY AND THE PIRATES (lilly) at the COTERIE, PORGY AND BESS at THE LYRIC OPERA, LITTLE WOMEN (beth) and RENT at MUSIC THEATRE HERITAGE, THE COLOR PURPLE at KCREP, NEWSIES and DREAMGIRLS at THE NEW THEATRE, HEATHERS (heather duke) at FAUST THEATRE, BLAZING BOOTS and BROADWAY CABARET (lead vocalist) on NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINES and Maurissa just recently obtained their BFA in musical theatre at Wichita State University. You can keep up with them on instagram @maurissa_sings 🙂
Paula Saunders
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Paula Saunders is a dynamic, multi-faceted vocalist from Kansas City, celebrated for her rich, sultry tone and remarkable versatility. Often compared to artists like Lalah Hathaway and Kansas City’s own Oleta Adams, Paula brings a depth and warmth to every performance that captivates audiences from the very first note.
Her debut solo project, Introducing Paula Saunders, is a beautifully curated collection of jazz standards and timeless classics that showcases the full range and resonance of her alto/tenor voice. Rooted in the church, Paula’s gospel foundation shines through in her ability to soar effortlessly into powerful high notes – an essential hallmark of the genre.
That gospel fire comes alive in her original work with The Freedom Affair, a high-energy nine-piece funk and soul band, where her commanding presence and expressive delivery take center stage. In this band that performs all original music, Paula has excelled as a singer, songwriter, and vocal arranger.
Though a seasoned performer, Paula is a fresh face in the theater world. Her role in The Wiz marks just her second appearance on the Kansas City theater scene, following her debut in the MTH production That’s What Friends Are For – The Music of Dionne Warwick and Lionel Richie. With a vocal range that spans genres and emotions alike, Paula has earned a reputation as one of Kansas City’s most versatile and compelling singers.
Stay connected with Paula on Facebook, Instagram, and her website paulasaundersmusic.com.
Robert Vardiman
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ROBERT VARDIMAN (The Wiz) Local: Songs For a New World (Summit Theatre Group) Kinky Boots, Rent (The White Theatre at the J); The Royale (KCRep); Toni Stone (The Unicorn Theatre); Hair: Then & Now, Ragtime, In the Heights,(Music Theater Heritage); Ma Rainy’s Black Bottom, Memphis, Thoughts of a Colored Man (The Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City); Alice’sWonderland (The Coterie Theatre). EducationalTheatre: Cronkite, School House Rock Live!,Cabaret. Follow on Instagram @luhrob13
Sheridan
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(He/Him) Is estatic to be making his MTH debut in a dream role since birth. KCRep: The Color Purple, A Christmas Carol, Peter Pan & Wendy. Local: Newsies (New Theatre), Newsies, Mamma Mia (Theatre in the Park); Spring Awakening, Big Fish, Gleesical (Faust Theatre); 13 The Musical and Finian’s Rainbow (Spinning Tree Theatre); Les Misérables, Grease, Urinetown (Stage Right Performing Arts); Wizard of Oz (Theatre League). Educational: Working, Ordinary Days, Brigadoon, A Chorus Line (Missouri State). National Tour:Emojiland. Film: Efflorescence, Get Real. Very excited to be performing for you all!! Enjoy the show (MJ this is for you) @ssheeriidaan
Sydney Rayne
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Sydney Rayne is overjoyed to be making her Music Theater Heritage debut! Sydney is currently earning her BFA in Musical Theatre at Webster University’s Sargent Conservatory of Theater Arts! Her most recent credits include The Spongebob Musical and The Lightning Thief. She would like to extend her love and thanks to her family and friends for their overwhelming love and support! And many thanks to the entire team at MTH! @sydneyraynecarter
Terrace Wyatt Jr
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Terrace Wyatt, Jr. is a local actor, playwright, director, and producer in Kansas City, MO. Graduated with a B.A. in Theatre at William Jewell College and has worked full-time on stage since the pandemic. Marking his third show with MTH since Titanic and Camelot. KC credits include: The Toxic Avenger: The Musical (LSH Productions / Arts Asylum); Shrek: The Musical (Leawood Stage Company); Fences (KC Melting Pot Theatre), Lily & The Pirates; Elf: The Musical (TYA); Finding Nemo (TYA), (The Coterie Theatre); The Royale, and Peter Pan & Wendy (KCRep.); Boxed (Whim Productions); Dreamgirls (New Theatre & Restaurant)and many more. He’s also been developing more original works with his production company Terrace Studios, LLC. Production credits include: Black Man, Missouri, Once Upon A Time In France (Co-Produced with BrothaAbe Films), Mel’N E [Melanin & Educated] (KC Fr!nge 2025), many more on the way! Be on the lookout for his new play HyperActivity with KC FR!NGE this summer! I wanna thank my family, friends, and God for everything they’ve done for me. God is my therapist when I have no one to go to. Get ready to EAZE ON DOWN THE ROAD!!!!
IG: @terracewyatt.jr / @terr.studios
FB: Terrace Wyatt, Jr. / Terr. Studios
Musicians
Desmond Mason
Keys / Music Director
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Coming soon…
Nsikoh
Bass
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Julian Goff
Drums
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Lawrence Jackson
Trumpet
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Zak Pischnotte
Saxophone
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Jeff Stocks
Guitar
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