The 1978 film “The Wiz” is beloved by audiences, who identify with the main character Dorothy, who is trying to get back home after being transported to an urban fantasy land called Oz. The popular film is based off the 1974 musical by Charlie Smalls and William F. Brown, which retells L. Frank Baum’s novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” within the framework of African-American culture.
The national tour of “The Wiz” will visit Centennial Hall from Tuesday, Jan. 6, to Sunday, Jan. 11.
It is being presented as part of the “Broadway in Tucson” series.
The tour stars Dana Cimone as Dorothy, Alan Mingo Jr. as the Wiz, Sheherazade as Glinda, Kyla Jade as Aunt Em/Evillene, D. Jerome as the Tin Man, Elijah Ahmad Lewis as the Scarecrow and Cal Mitchell as the Lion.
The Tony Award-winning musical spans different genres of music, including soul, gospel, rock and funk music.
It features songs such as “Ease on Down the Road,” “(I’m A) Mean Ole Lion,” “Soon As I Get Home,” “Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News,” “You Can’t Win,” “Believe in Yourself,” “He’s the Wizard,” “Slide Some Oil to Me” and “What Would I Do If I Could Feel?”
As the Tin Man, D. Jerome is taking on a role previously played by Nipsey Russell in the film version, Tiger Haynes on Broadway and Ne-Yo in “The Wiz Live.”
The 1978 film also starred Diana Ross as Dorothy, Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow, Ted Ross as the Lion, Lena Horne as Glinda, Mabel King as Evillene and Richard Pryor as The Wiz.
Originally from Winston-Salem, N.C., Jerome has done “MJ the Musical” on Broadway and toured with “Hamilton.”
Onscreen, he has been in “Haunted Mansion,” “TURN” and “My Big Fat Fabulous Life.”
He has performed in regional productions of shows such as “The Color Purple,” “Hairspray” and “Dreamgirls.”
Jerome first saw the film version of “The Wiz” at his grandmother’s house when he was 9 or 10.
Jerome has had different connections with “The Wiz.” In 2015, he took part in “The Wiz is 40” concert at SummerStage, which celebrated the 40th anniversary of “The Wiz.” This was directed and choreographed by George Faison and featured a number of cast members from the original Broadway production.
Jerome also played the Tin Man in a 2019 production of “The Wiz” at Virginia Repertory Theatre.
Jerome said the Tinman character has evolved over the years as the show as changed. The character now does hip-hop instead of tap dance, for example.
Jerome said the Scarecrow role has also changed from the original Broadway version.
“The Scarecrow normally would sing, ‘I Was Born on the Day Before Yesterday’ in the original show. In this show, he sings [‘You Can’t Win’] from the film. Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones were in New York City, and Michael Jackson ended up recording that song for ‘The Wiz…’ I think that’s a great way to honor Michael Jackson and that legacy,” Jerome said.
Jerome has been inspired by other actors who have played the Tinman, such as Russell and Ne-Yo.
“[Russell] really emulates the emotions and the physicality of an actual robot. It’s fun to implement some of those classic tones, in terms of how he sounds when he talks. I will say that it is a nice blend between that and some of the things that Ne-Yo did to make it very fresh and pop-sounding,” Jerome said.
The actor has also drawn from his family and film characters for his portrayal.
“Most of the time, my inspirations are my uncles, the folks I grew up with, my cousins. Our family was just naturally funny. We’re great storytellers. We enjoy community. We enjoy being around each other as a family…. I’ve also looked at different ideas of a Tinman, so watching something like ‘Iron Man’ or watching a show with robots. I’m seeing how I can utilize the idea of not really being a human but also being part human…How can I bring my experience as a human, as a black man, some of those realities and truths, to the Tin Man and still keep him fresh and light?” Jerome said.
Jerome tries to showcase the extroverted, outgoing nature of the Tinman while also highlighting his more vulnerable, introspective side.
“He’s not really looking for all of that attention, but it just comes. He’s excited to see people. He’s excited to meet new people. I think he loves to tell a story and have a good time. He’s the guy that will go to karaoke with you… He’s the guy that will be like, ‘Let’s do a line dance. Let’s do a shuffle dance.’ But then, he has a sense of there’s something missing. He’s longing for something… He’s looking for his heart. I get to play on what is the heart? What does that mean?” Jerome said.
Often, roles have required him to learn new skills. For the Tin Man, he had to practice fight choreography. Years ago, he learned to tap dance when he was auditioning for “Aladdin.”
He said that the revival version of “The Wiz” has been reimagined for modern audiences while maintaining timeless themes that make the show special.
“[Writer] Amber Ruffin has a really sophisticated approach to the work. Also, Schele Williams, the director, her approach as well has really allowed me to find new avenues of connecting to this Tin Man. It doesn’t feel like your normal Oz story. It feels like it’s keeping our younger generation engaged, but then it also falls deeper into real-life situations…You’ll be like, ‘Wow, I thought this was a mystical land,’ and it still is. But it allows you to look at it more holistically, at how we need community to make these things happen….It’s a story of triumph and a story of being resilient,” Jerome said.
Jerome said the show has kept the same heartfelt music that audiences have come to expect.
“These songs still speak the same message of believing in yourself, knowing that home is where the heart is and making sure that you’re able to triumph and overcome any obstacles that might be presented in your journey,” Jerome said.
Jerome said audiences often can see something themselves in the main characters.
The show features colorful, whimsical costumes, some of which have head and neck pieces.
“It’s really taking us into the ballroom scene,” Jerome said.
Before “The Wiz,” Jerome often did dance-heavy roles.
In “Hamilton,” he was in the ensemble. His part involved a number of lifts and several dance features.
“MJ the Musical” challenged him on a whole other level as a performer.
“It’s the most physical choreography that I’ve ever done, in terms of the amount of energy and precision that you have to have in performing those moves like Michael Jackson…Going through all those classical styles in that show, it really tests the dancer,” Jerome said.
Jerome has had some hurdles in his career. After moving to New York for the first time, he moved back home to North Carolina for three and a half years for his family. While he was there, he taught dance and theater.
After that, he lived in Atlanta for a short time before moving back to New York.
He said that the hurdles in his life have made the opportunities he has had, especially “MJ the Musical,” even more meaningful.
“Making my Broadway debut with ‘MJ’ feels like a testament to how much I’ve really allowed my passion to help me push through, even in the hard times,” Jerome said.
Jerome started out singing in church at a young age. His first acting role was radio announcer Bert Healy in “Annie” in sixth grade.
He has a bachelor’s degree in dance choreography and performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
One of Jerome’s professors and mentors at UNC Greensboro was Duane Cyrus, who is now the director of the school of dance at the University of Arizona.
While at UNC Greensboro, Jerome trained with Cyrus’ company, Theatre of Movement. Cyrus also served as his jazz choreography advisor.
“He’s worked with me in New York. I’ve worked with him abroad. Now he’s out in Arizona… I will say Cyrus is an impeccable promoter, producer, and director, and he creates really conscious pieces that challenge audience members and help inspire arts communities,” Jerome said.
Jerome will be returning to Arizona to perform Thursday, Feb. 19, to Sunday, Feb. 22, during the Tucson Desert Song Festival’s UA School of Dance Student Success Scholarship Series. The showcases will also feature performances by the UofA Traveling Dance Ensemble and original works by students and faculty.

National Tour of “The Wiz”
WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 6 to Sunday, Jan. 11
WHERE: Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Boulevard, Tucson
COST: Tickets start at $33.70
INFO: broadwayintucson.com

Broadway Singer/Dancer D. Jerome and the UofA Traveling Dance Ensemble
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 19 to Sunday, Feb. 22
WHERE: Stevie Eller Dance Theater, 1713 E. University Boulevard, Tucson
INFO: tucsondesertsongfestival.org