Nichelle Lewis (‘The Wiz’) on processing loss in order to feel ‘Home’ on Broadway [Exclusive Video Interview]
“I think it’s just about discovering yourself and knowing that who you are is enough,” says Nichelle Lewis when summing up the major themes in “The Wiz.” The actress is making her Broadway debut playing Dorothy in the revival at the Marquis Theatre. The young performer has made sure to find a way to approach this beloved story in a way that resonates with her personally. Watch the exclusive video interview above.
“The first time I sang ‘Home,’ I immediately understood every single lyric. I was just like, this is a journey that I can relate to wholeheartedly,” reveals Lewis. Casting directors requested an audition from Lewis after seeing her sing the infamous song in a viral TikTok video. As Lewis belts out the lyrics in the clip, captions scroll by revealing the recent loss of many of her loved ones. “I’ve lost so much in my life that I’ve had to understand where I am in the world and who I am in the world,” she explains. “I think that it’s something that has made me realize the importance of each person’s life, and the importance of just loving your life, and just living it to the fullest. Because you never know what could happen or who you might not see tomorrow. So for me, singing ‘Home’ was kind of about that.”
WATCH Schele Williams video interview: ‘The Notebook’ and ‘The Wiz’ director
The actress was able to relate her own trying experiences to the backstory she created for Dorothy with director Schele Williams. Dorothy has lost her parents at a young age and is thrust into a new, unfamiliar world with her aunt. Lewis’ own experiences bubble up in the song, particularly in Dorothy’s final decision to embrace her new world at the end of the song. “I’ve gone through this whole journey,” explains Lewis of the character, “and I think if I just stay present and if I just know what I have in me is there already…then I will be fine and I can make this new place home for me.”
The soaring eleven o’clock number made a star out of original Dorothy Stephanie Mills, and Diana Ross sings a beloved version in the film. “Of course, I feel pressure,” exclaims Lewis when asked about living up to the audience’s expectations. “I mean, these are icons! We’re talking about people who are just legendary.” While the tremendous legacy of “The Wiz” makes the actress focus on bringing her A-game to the stage every night, she admits that she simply focuses on telling the story so that the pressure doesn’t derail an exhilarating night at the theater. “My goal is to have people leaving the show at night feeling joy, or having felt something or understanding the story maybe even more than they did before.”
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