As The Wiz returns to stages across the country, the groundbreaking musical continues to resonate with audiences who see themselves reflected in its unapologetically Black, joyful retelling of a classic American story. For Cal Mitchell, stepping into the role of the Cowardly Lion is more than a performance - it’s a deeply personal journey.
In an exclusive conversation with GoPride, Mitchell opens up about identity, confidence, and what it means to embody a character searching for courage while discovering his own along the way. From queer representation within the cast to the emotional weight of inspiring a new generation, Mitchell shares how this production of The Wiz feels both timeless and urgently relevant.
The Tony Award-winning Best Musical that redefined Broadway returns for a limited engagement at the James M. Nederlander Theatre from March 31 through April 5. This latest national tour reimagines the beloved classic with a fresh, contemporary lens—infusing its iconic score of soul, gospel, rock, and funk with modern pop and dynamic choreography.
More than just a revival, The Wiz continues to resonate as a cultural touchstone; transforming a traditionally white American fantasy into an unapologetically Black, joyful, and deeply human story. With powerhouse performances, visionary staging, and a cast led by rising star Cal Mitchell as the Lion, this production invites audiences to rediscover the magic - and meaning - of finding courage, identity, and home.
MI: (Matt Inawat, GoPride) You're making your national tour debut with The Wiz in such an iconic role. When you step into the Lion every night, what part of him feels closest to who you are in real life, and what part of him feels the furthest?
CM: (Cal Mitchell, The Wiz) The part that feels the closest is I feel as if me and Lion’s personality are so deeply entangled because he is such a vibrant and jubilant person. Also, his mind is just everywhere. He could literally be happy for a second, sad for two seconds, and then completely drop all of it, like what’s going on. And that is quintessentially who I am as a person. So I like to say that me and Lion share the same plane.
Where we are furthest is Lion’s main part of this story is, along with the other heroes, he’s looking for courage. He’s looking to go with these heroes to meet the Wiz, and then the Wiz is going to give him this courage, this confidence that he needs. And I don’t think I ever really needed that growing up. Absolutely, because you don’t know who you are. But the more that I get older, the more that I realize I am a whole living human being. No one can tell me who I am. No one can give me a magic elixir to be what I want to be. Everything that I am is because I want to be it.
So I think that might be the furthest that we are. But other than that, me and Lion are the same. Girl, I love it.
MI: The Wiz has been a touchstone for generations of Black as well as LGBTQ audiences, especially in how it reframes a very white American fantasy into something unapologetically Black and joyful. How conscious are you of that legacy when you're performing, and how does it inform the way you approach the Lion?
The Wiz; credit: Jeremy Daniel
CM: It’s always in the back of my mind while doing the show. Also, just a tidbit, a majority of the male-presenting people in this cast are all queer. So I think that having that type of brotherhood in the back, where all of us come from the same aspect of life, we all have a pretty similar understanding of how we got here, why we’re doing theater, what theater has done for us, is really cool when playing.
It’s amazing, though, because at this point, since I’ve been with the show for a year, Lion is an extension of me. And at times doing the show, especially once we get to the end of Act One for “Be a Lion,” there is a piece of me that always has to remember that there was a time where I didn’t feel the most confident. And sometimes that was all rooted in not understanding who I was as a queer man, as a gay man.
So sometimes, while I’m doing it, it creeps up on me, and I’m like, “Ooh, this hits a little differently today.” Everything with Lion, I try to let everything that I’ve lived through inspire his ability to just be himself and not really care what anybody else has to say.
At times it’s super cathartic, and at times it’s really revealing of how much I’ve grown as a person as well. So he really does get to help me out every now and then.
MI: It’s awesome to make that introspection and be able to see that.
So Chicago has a really deep history with The Wiz, from local productions to queer performers who grew up belting “Ease on Down the Road”—me being one at talent shows. What do you think about bringing this version of the show to Chicago audiences? What do you hope they feel as the curtain comes down?
CM: This show—and this is one thing that I can really say about the team—they didn’t want to change the bones of what the show is, but they wanted to revitalize it in a way that feels specifically Black and queer in a way that makes sense for the time that we live in now.
You’ll hear it in the music. You’ll hear it in the book itself. There are so many inside jokes that a lot of Black people are going to go, “Oh yes.” So I’m looking forward to audience members coming in and really catching that this is fully a show for us.
When it first came out, it was a radical show at the time, but they have really honed in on the specifics of what it is to grow up Black. Even moments like when Eveline is melting and says, “And worst of all, the water is going to ruin my silk press”—there is a type of culture that understands that.
There are so many layers to the show that I think audiences are really going to love. So it’s exciting to bring it to Chicago again.
MI: So you mentioned earlier, Lion is all about courage and self-worth. For our queer and trans readers—and for anyone who’s ever felt othered—that’s a pretty powerful theme. Has working on this role changed your own understanding of courage in any way, on stage or off stage?
CM: Yes, it has.
I think for a lot of my life, I thought that courage was a thing that everyone else had, and it was just a journey to figure out what that courage is for you. What this show has really expanded upon is that everyone does have courage. Not everyone is able to access their courage immediately.
There are a lot of people who have to go through turbulence and tribulation to understand what it is to be themselves. Sometimes there’s a feeling of being alone, a solitude in trying to figure that out while still trying to stay present in your life.
Playing Lion and being around all of these wonderful, beautiful Black people with different perspectives has shown me that confidence comes in many different tones and shades. You never really know what someone’s journey was to find their own confidence.
MI: The Wiz has always blended soul, gospel, rock, and funk. Now this production adds even more modern pop and dance vocabulary. As a performer, how do you physically and vocally prepare to deliver that level of intensity night after night?
CM: It takes just about the same work as training for a marathon or playing a sport. I’m a huge proponent of working out. I work out consistently throughout the week because it’s a great warm-up for the show, which is physically demanding.
I was talking to my mom not too long ago, and I said, “This is probably the hardest that I’ve ever worked in such a long time,” and I’m loving it. It’s the same for everybody else in the cast. We all understand that this show requires so much from us physically and vocally.
I also try to run once or twice a week, about two to three miles, to keep my stamina up. I warm up early in the day for maybe five to ten minutes, then again before the show to make sure everything is sitting evenly vocally.
Lots of water, and trying not to go out as much—which sometimes means being a hermit, and that’s okay. But it’s also about balance—enjoying the city you’re in while still being able to give your all to the audience so everyone gets the same experience.
MI: Have you been to Chicago before?
CM: Only briefly—like maybe two days at a time. So now I’m excited because I actually get to hang out and see Chicago.
MI: The Lion is often played as comic relief, but there’s a real tenderness underneath. How did you find that emotional balance?
The Wiz; credit: Jeremy Daniel
CM: Lion has always been seen as comic relief, but the more I’ve grown with him, the more I understand that—like our director said—out of the heroes Dorothy meets, Lion is the only one who has both his brain and his heart.
So I love that he’s a bit more grounded. There’s an aspect of him that has to feel organically true. The bravado—“I’m a Lion, fear me”—that’s all armor. When you get to the tender parts, you see that it’s really protection.
My job is to show both: his joy and happiness, but also that he still feels like he’s missing something, which is why he puts up that armor.
MI: The story is about finding your way home. How do you define home, and has that changed while touring?
CM: I grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and for a long time that was home. A few years ago, I moved to New York City, where I’ve now lived for five years.
At first, it didn’t feel like home because I was homesick for what felt familiar. But what I’ve realized—and this is true for a lot of people—is that home is what you make it.
Especially for queer people, you have your blood family and your chosen family. It’s the same with home. You have the home you grew up in, and then you build a chosen home—an ecosystem that nurtures you.
On tour, I miss my life in New York deeply. But being on the road with these incredible artists, we’ve built that same ecosystem. So home shifts and changes as you go.
MI: Have you had any memorable audience interactions that reminded you of the impact of the show?
CM: One of my favorite things is when fans come dressed as characters. Families bring their kids—even tiny babies—dressed up.
I remember in Tampa, there was a little baby dressed as Lion. It was so cute. And it made me realize there’s a whole generation that didn’t grow up watching the movie. This is their first experience.
To know they’re seeing me and might remember that later in life, maybe even be inspired by it—it’s humbling. Sometimes tour life gets exhausting, but moments like that remind you the work matters.
MI: Looking ahead, what kinds of stories do you want to tell, and what do you hope audiences remember about your Lion?
CM: As an actor, our job is to be a mirror for the times. I want to tell stories that reflect real human experiences while still finding joy.
The world is crazy right now, which is why this show is so important. For two hours, audiences get to escape, laugh, and reset.
I hope people remember that I cared deeply about this role, and that every time they saw me, I was smiling. The small stuff matters. People pay to see you, and I want everyone to feel seen, valued, and leave happy.
That’s our job—to give people what they need so they can go back into the world a little lighter.
As The Wiz continues its national tour, Mitchell’s Lion stands as both comic relief and emotional anchor - a character whose journey toward courage mirrors the lived experiences of many in the audience.
With its layered storytelling, cultural specificity, and renewed focus on Black and queer identity, this production offers more than nostalgia - it offers connection. And for Mitchell, that connection is the heart of it all.
Whether it’s a child seeing themselves on stage for the first time or a longtime fan rediscovering the magic, The Wiz reminds audiences of a powerful truth: everything you need has been inside you all along.
About the production
Originally premiering on Broadway in 1975, The Wiz became an instant sensation, earning seven Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Original Score. Featuring a book by William F. Brown and a groundbreaking score by Charlie Smalls, the show redefined musical theater with its vibrant celebration of Black culture and music.
This new production builds on that legacy with a visionary creative team led by director Schele Williams and choreographer JaQuel Knight, blending ballet, jazz, and contemporary pop movement into a high-energy theatrical experience. With additional material by Amber Ruffin and music direction by Adam Blackstone, the revival offers a fresh yet faithful interpretation of Dorothy’s journey.
From the timeless anthem “Ease on Down the Road” to the emotional resonance of “Home,” The Wiz continues to captivate new generations—bridging past and present with a story that remains as relevant as ever.
About Broadway in Chicago
For more than two decades, Broadway In Chicago has been a cornerstone of the city’s vibrant arts scene, bringing world-class productions to the heart of downtown. Since its founding in 2000, the organization has grown into one of the largest commercial touring presenters in the country, entertaining up to 1.7 million theatergoers each year.
With performances staged across five iconic Loop theaters—including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, and the James M. Nederlander Theatre, Broadway In Chicago continues to deliver a diverse lineup of musicals and plays that reflect the richness of contemporary theater. The return of The Wiz is yet another example of its commitment to presenting bold, culturally significant productions that inspire and connect audiences.
Individual tickets for THE WIZ are on sale now and range from $43.00 - $136.00 with a select number of premium tickets
available. Ticket price listed is when purchased in person at the box office. Additional fees apply for online purchases.
Tickets are available now for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or
emailing GroupSales@BroadwayInChicago.com. For more information, visit broadwayinchicago.com.