Emmy and Writers Guild Award nominee Amber Ruffin is providing new material for The Muny’s production of The Wiz, which runs June 19–25 at the St. Louis venue.
Ruffin has been working with original book writer William F. Brown on the script, with the support of Charles Michael Smalls, son of The Wiz composer Charlie Smalls.
Read: NATHAN LEE GRAHAM WILL BE THE WIZ THIS SUMMER AT THE ST. LOUIS MUNY
A Nebraska native, Ruffin has written for Late Night with Seth Meyers since 2014, becoming the first African American woman to write for a late-night network talk show in the U.S. Ruffin also appears on the program, including during popular segments “Amber Says What” and “Jokes Seth Can’t Tell.”
“We’re so thrilled for The Muny’s 100th to premiere a new version of The Wiz,” said Artistic Director and Executive Producer Mike Isaacson. “Working with The Wiz’s original book writer, William F. Brown, and his wife, Tina Tippit, Amber has brought a wonderful, fresh voice to the show. Anyone who has seen her hilarious work on Late Night with Seth Meyers knows how wise and funny she is. Collaborating with Bill, Tina, Amber and Michael Smalls to create our Muny production has been a joy.”
“I am so honored to be a part of The Wiz,” added Ruffin. “I have so many fond memories of this musical, and I hope this production lights the same spark in people that it did in me.”
The Muny production is directed by Denis Jones with choreography by Camille A. Brown and music direction by Darryl Archibald.
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