Emmy Award-winning music director Adam Blackstone has joined the creative team of “The Wiz” as the dance music arranger. Blackstone will work most closely with choreographer JaQuel Knight.
Blackstone won a 2022 Emmy for his music direction of the Super Bowl halftime show that featured hip-hop stars Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Eminem. Blackstone returned in 2023 to serve in the same capacity for Rihanna’s halftime show. He is also the head of BASSic Black Entertainment (BBE), a music service company, which also includes BBE Records. Blackstone has been the music director for artists such as Alicia Keys and Maroon 5. “The Wiz” will mark Blackstone’ Broadway debut.
"Joining ‘The Wiz's’ creative team has been a very surreal moment,” Blackstone said in a statement. “I remember watching the film on VHS daily for years, wondering how it sounded so incredible, how MJ transformed into the Scarecrow. And the score and orchestrations truly told a story all of its own.”
Blackstone continued, “Fast forward to today, I get to musically partner with Terence Vaughn and reunite with my brother, super choreographer and creative director JaQuel Knight, and explore our own interpretation for a revival of this masterpiece. I am excited and look forward to this body of work changing lives, just like it did for me in the ’80s!"
Blackstone joins a creative team led by director Schele Williams. The production will feature additional material by Amber Ruffin, Joseph Joubert and Allen René Louis.
As previously announced, the national tour of “The Wiz” will launch from Baltimore on Sept. 23 ahead of an intended Broadway run in 2024.
The revival is being produced by Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Brian Anthony Moreland and Ambassador Theatre Group.
