Kyla Jade with The Wiz talks about her Broadway debut

The Wiz, a groundbreaking Broadway performance with a 50-year legacy, is headed to Nashville. The Tony® Award-winning Best Musical that took the world by storm in an all-new Broadway tour, the first one in 40 years. The acclaimed classic reimagines The Wizard of Oz with an all African-American cast. From its iconic score (Ease on down, Ease on down the road 🎶) packed with soul, gospel, rock, and 70’s funk to its stirring tale of Dorothy’s journey to find her place in a contemporary world.

I had a chance to chat with Kyla Jade, one of the amazing talents headlining the Broadway tour. Kyla is stepping into the role of Aunt Em and Evillene (pretty major) in her first Broadway debut. Kyla’s musical journey started when she joined the Nashville Super Choir on “Bobby Jones Gospel”, the longest-running gospel show on BET. Originally from Kansas (yes, how fitting), this Nashville resident and Fisk alum has made music her career, from touring with Wynonna Judd to singing with Patti LaBelle to being selected for Blake’s team on The Voice.

Why is Nashville so special?

it’s literally a gumbo pot where everything can fit and everything tastes good. One, it’s Southern. Two, because of the diversity of people here. I’ve had many opportunities and lived and worked in other places, but Nashville has been home. I can literally, on a Tuesday, do a country gig, Wednesday, do an R&B gig, Thursday, do my own show, and Friday travel out with an artist. It’s just the perfect place.

What was the journey getting your first broadway role in THE WIZ?

it was a process. This is my Broadway debut, so there were a lot of things leading up to it. You know, it’s one of those dreams when you’re a kid that youI want to be on Broadway, but you don’t actually understand that there’s a process to get there and there are things that you have to do to get there.It took about six or seven months, from auditioning to getting the part. Plus, the duality of playing two very opposite characters on the spectrum was a little daunting at first, but exciting nonetheless. I definitely pattern Aunt Em after my mom. I feel like everyone has an Aunt Em who can speak life into them.

Talking to you, I can feel how serious you take your craft? Where does that originate?

It’s a great question because I’ve actually been thinking about that. I come from an age where it is important to me that I always give my best. As a generation, I will work and work because it is who we are inherently. The blessing about this show is that it’s the 50th anniversary of the Broadway tour. There’s something about the longevity, and there’s something about the fact that this show still has something to say after 50 years. I feel the importance of making sure to present something with excellence to the world. I think that is what drives me. Everyone is put on this earth to do something. You may not reach the masses, but you can reach one person. And if you reach one person every day, then you’ve done what you’re supposed to do.

What do you hope guests walk away with after experiencing The Wiz?

There is a lot of turmoil, pain, and frustration, and what is our job? Our job is to bring joy!

Whatever is happening in the world, when you come to see the Wiz, you experience joy, you experience something from your childhood, you experience something that removes you from the state of the world for just an hour and 45 minutes. And because I understand that that is our job, it makes it easy to come to work every day because it is beyond how I feel if I can make someone else feel better. And

Okay, I can’t let you go without seeing what your favorite places are in Nashville?

I am a foodie and a live music lover. I love local spots like 3rd + Lindsley and The 5 Spot. I am also a Roasted fan. Their brussels sprouts are everything. I also love to check out Noir.

Tickets available at TPAC.org. The Wiz is running from September 23-28 at Tennessee Performing Arts Center.