The Wiz Historian

The Wiz Historian ✨The Melanated Oz Historian✨
The Wiz's Legacy Educator & Protector
Oz Historian | DCP'19 | Prep Enthusiast | Broadway

Today on Yellow Brick Soul: The Wiz Historian Podcast, we’re honoring the incredible Mona Swain. From commanding the sta...
05/10/2026

Today on Yellow Brick Soul: The Wiz Historian Podcast, we’re honoring the incredible Mona Swain. From commanding the stage as Tina Turner in TINA: The Tina Turner Musical, to bringing heart, humor, and soul to Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act, Mona continues to show what it means to be a true triple threat. Her talent as an actress, singer, and dancer shines in every role she touches from Dorothy in The Wiz to performances in SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical.
Beyond the spotlight, Mona Swain’s impact runs even deeper. She represents possibility. She represents visibility. For so many Black girls dreaming of a place in musical theatre, seeing Mona thrive onstage and online is a reminder that they belong here too. Her presence, her excellence, and the joy she brings to every performance inspire the next generation to dream louder, sing bigger, and take up space unapologetically.
Thank you, Mona, for the representation, the artistry, and the light you continue to pour into the theatre community. Your flowers are well deserved.
📍1pm @ Instagram Live Today

To My Sweet Nichelle Lewis Words truly fall short right now.Seeing you receive this nomination yesterday was more than ...
05/06/2026

To My Sweet Nichelle Lewis
Words truly fall short right now.Seeing you receive this nomination yesterday was more than a moment, it’s a testimony. From every step, every sacrifice, every quiet prayer, to now watching you shine fills my heart in a way I can’t even fully explain. From watching you click your heels and step into this space, carrying not just a role but a story that matters. A story the world needs and has been one of the greatest honors to witness. Especially knowing the year you’ve had, the weight you’ve carried and still, YOU RISE.
This is more than hard work, you’ve put in more than most will ever see. This is about timing. God’s timing. Yesterday morning was proof that what is meant for you will never miss you. You had two people guiding you every step of the way. Your father and God. And I know, without a doubt, your father is looking down with so much pride, cheering louder than anyone.
You overcame the “no’s.” You pushed through the obstacles. You held onto faith when it wasn’t easy.
And now… look at you. Getting your flowers 💐
I am so, so proud of you. This moment is yours but it’s for every prayer, every tear, and every ounce of belief that carried you here. And it was all worth it.
Congratulations, my sweet Nichelle. I love you endlessly. And thank you, God, for covering, protecting, and blessing her with this incredible gift.
This is only the beginning ❤️
Love,
Von: The Wiz Historian ✨

Some moments don’t just live on stage. They live forever in the way they were seen, felt, and captured.These stunning ph...
04/29/2026

Some moments don’t just live on stage. They live forever in the way they were seen, felt, and captured.
These stunning photos, generously gifted by Andre Roxbury. They are more than images they’re history, memory, and magic frozen in time. Seeing The Wiz through this lens reminds me just how cinematic, how layered, and how deeply beautiful this production has always been. Every frame feels like a love letter to a show that continues to shine across generations.
I’m constantly moved by how The Wiz keeps finding new ways to be celebrated, remembered, and rediscovered. When you all send me pieces like this, it’s more than sharing, it’s preserving something sacred. And trust me, it always makes me smile.
Here’s to the brilliance, the legacy, and the everlasting glow of The Wiz. ✨
📸: Andre Roxbury

In this special episode, we’re giving Allyson Kaye Daniels her well deserved flowers celebrating a powerhouse performer ...
04/24/2026

In this special episode, we’re giving Allyson Kaye Daniels her well deserved flowers celebrating a powerhouse performer whose talent and dedication have left a mark across stage and screen. From lighting up Broadway in the latest revival of The Wiz and 1776, to captivating audiences Off-Broadway in Unexpected Joy, Elf The Musical, and Sistas: The Musical, Allyson’s artistry is both dynamic and deeply rooted in storytelling. We dive into her experience bringing The Wiz to life, what the show means to her, the legacy she carries within it, and the joy and responsibility of being part of such an iconic production. Allyson also reflects on her journey through national tours of Elf and The Color Purple, sharing the lessons, growth, and unforgettable moments along the way. Beyond the stage, you may recognize her from television appearances in Law & Order: SVU, FBI: Most Wanted, Living With Yourself, and Fort Tilden. And when she’s not performing, she’s pouring into the next generation as a teaching artist, bringing music and theatre education to communities across the country.
This episode is a celebration of artistry, resilience, and impact. Allyson Kaye Daniels isn’t just performing but she’s inspiring, teaching, and shaping the future of the craft. We honor her journey, her voice, and the brilliance she continues to share with the world. Don’t miss our conversation tonight!
📍TONIGHT @ 8pm on Instagram Live

In this powerful episode, I sit down with the extraordinary Zonya Love. A force on stage and screen whose voice, presenc...
04/24/2026

In this powerful episode, I sit down with the extraordinary Zonya Love. A force on stage and screen whose voice, presence, and artistry have left an undeniable mark on the theater world. From commanding performances on Broadway in The Color Purple as Celie to bringing unforgettable characters to life in Dreamgirls, Sister Act, The Wiz, and beyond, Zonya’s career is a testament to range, depth, and unwavering dedication to the craft. Whether on Broadway, Off-Broadway, national tours, or regional stages like Milwaukee Rep, the Guthrie Theater, and Theatre Under the Stars, she continues to embody excellence in every space she enters. Her recent work in Emma and Max at The Flea Theater further reflects her commitment to bold, thought-provoking storytelling.Beyond the credits is a woman grounded in purpose. In our conversation, Zonya speaks candidly about the industry, the evolution of storytelling on Broadway, and the importance of whose stories are being told and how they’re being told. With honesty, wisdom, and heart, she challenges the status quo while remaining deeply rooted in her artistry and faith. This episode is a celebration of Zonya Love with her legacy, her voice, and her continued impact on the culture.
In this episode we give her, her flowers. Heres the link to give it a listen: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5NYnSKhFkX6lbcjAwI9Mn3?si=bgiDBco0SmOXCwa-K6pOFQ

🕊️Tom H. John has transitioned to Oz Heaven , leaving behind a remarkable legacy in the world of Broadway scenic design....
04/19/2026

🕊️Tom H. John has transitioned to Oz Heaven , leaving behind a remarkable legacy in the world of Broadway scenic design. A visionary artist, he was best known for his vibrant and imaginative work on The Wiz, where his Tony-nominated set design helped bring a bold new visual language to the stage and contributed to the show’s enduring cultural impact. Over the course of his career, Tom H. John lent his m talents to a number of notable Broadway productions. His work included the dynamic revival of Guys and Dolls, the patriotic musical George M!, and later productions such as Marilyn: An American Fable and Peg. He also contributed scenic designs to The Selling of the President and Frank Merriwell. Through his artistry, Tom H. John helped shape the visual storytelling of Broadway during a vibrant era of theatrical innovation. His work remains a testament to creativity, craftsmanship, and the power of design to transport audiences. He will be remembered with deep respect and appreciation by the theater community and all who experienced the worlds he brought to life on stage.

Two years later and I still feel it in my spirit. Seeing The Wiz back on Broadway wasn’t just a show. It was a homecomin...
04/19/2026

Two years later and I still feel it in my spirit. Seeing The Wiz back on Broadway wasn’t just a show. It was a homecoming, a revelation, a reminder of who we are and what we carry. This story has always meant so much to me, but witnessing it come alive in a way I had never seen before… with performers who reflect my image, my culture, my magic… it changed something in me. It made the dream feel real. There was power in every step down that yellow brick road. Power in the joy, the struggle, the music, the truth. And most of all, power in that reminder: “Just know that feeling only lasts a little while.” Because it does. Life will test you. It will twist and turn. But like Dorothy, like all of us, you keep going. You believe. You lean on the people who truly love you. And somehow, you rise. This experience is one I’ll carry for the rest of my life. A fairytale, yes, but also a truth: we belong in every space we dream of, and our stories are timeless. Happy (belated) 2nd Anniversary to The Wiz 2024 Revival. Thank you for the legacy, the light, and the reminder that miracles are always on the way. 💛

Today at @ 12 pm I have the honor of sitting down with Schele Williams who is a visionary director, performer, and autho...
04/17/2026

Today at @ 12 pm I have the honor of sitting down with Schele Williams who is a visionary director, performer, and author whose work is rooted in authenticity, purpose, and powerful representation. As the director of the 2024 revival and 50th anniversary tour of The Wiz, she continues to honor this legacy with care and excellence. In the 2024 Broadway season marked her Broadway directorial debut with The Notebook and The Wiz. Giving Schele her flowers today, for her brilliance, her integrity, and her unwavering commitment to uplifting Black stories on and off the stage.
📍Today @ 12pm on Instagram Live

Tomorrow on Yellow Brick Soul for The Wiz Historian Podcast, we’re giving flowers to Broadway powerhouse which is Brandi...
04/11/2026

Tomorrow on Yellow Brick Soul for The Wiz Historian Podcast, we’re giving flowers to Broadway powerhouse which is Brandi Chavonne Massey. A true dynamic force on stage, Brandi brought strength, soul, and brilliance to Broadway. She was one of the earliest Black women to play the role of Elphaba, having performed as an understudy for Wicked on Broadway after Saycon Sengbloh. Her defying gravity left a handprint on the hearts of the Wicked fans and it’s legacy. Her artistry also shines through her work in Caroline, or Change, Dreamgirls, Hair, and The Color Purple national tour, as well as internationally as Nala in The Lion King. Beyond the stage, she’s appeared in Black Nativity, Honey 2, and Grey’s Anatomy, and continues to uplift the next generation as a vocal instructor at AMDA. A legacy of excellence and impact, you don’t want to miss this conversation 💚
📍Tomorrow @ 3pm ET on Instagram Live

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