With the 50th-anniversary production of “The Wiz” running at the Paramount Theatre through Sunday, February 15, “The Day With Trae” host Trae Holiday recently sat down with veteran performer Alan Mingo, who plays the show’s titular role.

For Mingo, touring the country as the Wiz is the ultimate full-circle moment. He cited the production as the show that solidified his pursuit of theatre at an early age, expressing the immense personal significance of his role. "I will be the Wiz for that next generation and it means so much because the show meant so much to me," he said.

Beyond the spectacle, Mingo emphasized the production's cultural necessity in the current social landscape. He characterized the show as a form of Afrofuturism and a celebration of Black joy and escapism, observing that entertainment for underrepresented communities often focuses on historical trauma. “We’re giving it to you from the Black perspective unapologetically,” he said.

This anniversary production is a refined version of the original 1974 Broadway show and the 1978 film, carefully blending elements from both while introducing new creative choices. The team, under the expertise of Director Schele Williams, experimented with creative passageways to keep the production fresh and resonant for modern audiences.

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