Charlie Smalls
Writer · 1943–1987 · American
The composer who gave The Wiz its unforgettable R&B and soul score
In short
Charlie Smalls was an American composer and songwriter who wrote the music and lyrics for The Wiz, the 1975 musical that retold The Wizard of Oz with an all-Black cast and a score rooted in R&B, soul and gospel. The show became a landmark of Black musical theater and won the Tony Award for best musical.
What the shows are like
The Wiz reimagines a familiar fairy tale journey through the sound of 1970s R&B, soul and gospel, with big, joyful group numbers built for a full ensemble and a live band groove. Smalls' songs favor soulful belting, call-and-response vocals and danceable rhythms over traditional showtune structure, giving the show a concert-like energy in places. The tone stays largely upbeat and celebratory even during the story's darker turns, leaning on humor and community spirit. Choreography tends to be energetic and dance-forward, matching the music's groove. It is a score built to get an audience moving and singing along, with at least one anthem most listeners already know before the curtain rises.
Where to start
- The Wiz A soulful, R&B-driven retelling of The Wizard of Oz following a girl's journey down a very different yellow brick road.
Written by PlayhouseFinder, reviewed September 2026.