Stephanie Mills -- HOME from The Wiz (1975 Original Cast)

[spiritleveldown]

This is just fantastic! This is the soul of the show.

[epfarq2]

Stephanie should have definitely played Dorothy in The Wiz. Broadway audiences were brought to tears when she sang Home. The entire cast of the Broadway production should have been included, although I much preferred Ben Harney's interpretation of the Tin Man to Tiger Haynes'. Unfortunately Ted Ross was the only one to make the cut. The accommodations made for Ms. Ross unfortunately sank the film production which seemed absurd and dated as opposed to the fresh, revelatory, stage production.

[lilithmoon1979]

what you guys seemingly don't get (me thinks) is that in a movie like The Wiz people cast famous wellknown people to make the movie SELL... if you cast people that are still strangers to the public then the movie won't sell... do not get me wrong i can really hear stephanie nails (not kills) the song so much better then diana did, but again famous people sell and will be chosen above the less known better ones... i hope i made sense no pun intended

[Johnsgottalent]

Thy should have waited till the mid-80s to make this movie and cast Whitney Houston as Dorothy. Not olny was her rendition of this song the best, but it is probably one of the most moving performances I have ever heard in my life. RIP Whitney,the world will truly miss you and your beautiful voice.

[Daniellepzzn101]

awesome! i love the classics although im 12 years old but i prefer the classics like this they are the best

[cgcade1]

My understanding is that Diana asked BarryGordy for the part and that it was her desire to be Dorthy that the film was made in the first place. It was taylored for Diana to star as Dorthy. As excellent as Stephanie Mills and Rene Harris were in the the original Broadway cast, the film was about Diana! I enjoied both versions in their own right. But I have to say, that the impact of the Broadway version on a then 14 year old young man interested in the music industry, litterally WOWed me!

[stewartjv52]

I saw Stephanie in this on Broadway (original cast) it was AMAZING. She gave me chills and had an endless standing ovation after this song.

[kiaradaniellebrown]

i just died.

[Esorassen]

I'd love to see a professional production of this musical. The movie was terrible.

[hsmgeek4ever]

It's amazing how she can sing!

[jody808]

chills

[harajukukevin6657]

is anyone else crying? when she sings "So it's real, Real REAAALLL!" ah! touches my heart. "A world full of love, like yours like mine, like HOOOME!"

absolutely amazing.

[SongsJerome]

An amzaing musical!

[rassledassle82]

This is beautiful...brings tears to my eyes...

[pajamagirl123]

If Diana hadn't done it then Micheal would not have been cast as Scarecrow, so I think that's why Stephanie wasn't in the movie. It's a shame though, she's such an amazing singer.

[disneyrangerblue02]

I don't care what anyone else says, both Stephanie AND Diana are pros at this song, in my book!

[MegaMawn]

Reason she was cast (diana) into the movie was cause she practically helped Micheal get into the world of entertainment, so as a token of his gratitude he chose her for the spot since he was the producer of the film. (Not sure if he was the producer but he invested in the film) I don't think Diana should have been it, it should have been stephanie but at least Diana doesn't suck. She's a very talented woman.

[snugglebear09]

@MegaMawn Didn't Berry Gordy purchase the Wiz particularly for Diana Ross? Diana got Michael to play scarecrow.

[LilMsCache]

Amazing !

[LilMsCache]

Amazing !

[dholmes974]

I would have gone with Stephanie. Closer to the original story, and a better singer for this particular song...

[jayvale]

I had the priviledge to see her live in '75. Twice, a school trip from DC. I love her!!!!

[SuperDisney365]

waybetter then diana ross

[magovenor]

She can sing, but she sure was a homely little thing!

[stationranger]

Stephanie Mills got robbed of the part in the Wiz thanks to Barry Gordy and Diana Ross. It probably was good thing though, the movie version of this Broadway hit flopped badly. Wrong cast, wrong director, and wrong script. This movie would have done nothing good for Stephanie Mills's career and that's a shame.

[johnny14773]

It's like magic in the air when she sings!

[ATHINAmeow]

This video brings through a few home truths: the parts of her voice - such as the whistle towards the end - the audience cheer for as it is so amazing, yet today we completely take it for granted! Watching this has definitely made me value the current Broadway actor's voices more.

[FASHIONCONSPIRACY]

The Broadway version of The Wiz was magical in every way...it's so overdued to come back to Broadway in revival....if cast correctly and kept true to the original concept, it would win the Tony ! Stephanie and the entire cast were brilliant !

[iffilayo]

Oh, my good Christ... This made me cry and applaud. I've heard Stephanie's pop version of this song, but never listened to this version until today. I'm at home clapping, smiling and crying. Simply beautiful....

[PolkadotsandLadybugs]

Stephanie had star power she was dating Michael Jackson for goodness sakes!

Diana told the producers and director that she would help fund the move but only if she played Dorothy. Also I think at the time Michael came into the movie via Diana not Stephanie. In fact the director of the show left the production since Stephanie couldn't play Dorothy. SOMEONE knew that it was crazy to not have Stephanie play Dorothy in the film version. However The Wiz is a great film with Diana in it!

[sydneyparra96]

the movie is the worst movie i've ever seen

[stylistguy13]

Someone remind me why Stephanie Mills wasn't cast as Dorothy in the movie version? If she was 15 in 1975 when the show opened, than when the movie was made in 1978 she would've been 18.....right???? In 1978 Diana would've been 34 or 35 when she was Dorothy.......WHY??????? I love Diana, don't get me wrong, but Stephanie KILLS this song!!!!

[Crp75]

@stylistguy13 I agree: I love Diana, too, but Stephanie would have made more sense starring in the movie. Although she was too old for the role, Diana was a more marketable candidate in the '70s. As far as I know, she was the one who brought on Michael Jackson, too, but don't quote me. Besides miscasting Ross, Sidney Lumet was not a good choice for directing the film. He's better suited for crime-drama than musical fantasy.

[jalbarker]

@Crp75 Berry Gordy wanted to cast Stephanie Mills, but Diana wanted the part, so she got Universal Studios to fund the movie if she could play the lead, so Gordy didn't have to spend any of Motown's money. She pretty much snaked her way into that role... the original director quit when Diana got the role, so they brought in Sidney Lumet.

[Mspendragon72]

@Crp75 COME ON!! WE ALL KNOW WHY SHE WAS CHOSEN!!!! THAT BITCH HAD BEEN FUCKING GORDY AND HAD HIS DAUGHTER!!!!!! THAT BITCH ROBBED MILLS FROM HER ROLE!!!! MIKE SAID NOTHING BECAUSE HE TOO WAS IN LOVE WITH THAT BITCH SINCE HE MEET HER!!! I HATE DIANA...SHE'S A CLASS A BITCH!!!!

[DeliverUsFromMargie]

@Crp75 that's correct. Diana brought Michael. That's a whole lot why. (Meaning your whole explaination)

[97scooter1]

@Crp75 she d[dn't have the name recognition' saw her perform it live and saw the movie but the musical stage play was the best.

still love them both

[pbarrigher]

@Crp75 I loved Diana Ross, and thought her characterization of a shy older school teacher was very good, but the money people wanted a star, and Diana ross had an Oscar nomination off of Lady Sings the Blues, and MJ wanted to make the movie with her, The movie needed a proven director too. At the time Sidney Lumet was married to Lena Horne's daughter, Gail, and he cast her, and to get Lena Horne was really great; so that's why they went with Lumet.

[Rosensmith]

@Crp75 Diana Ross told Stephanie Mills that she was her friend and that she really didn't need to be in the movie. She actually pretended to be her friend and stole the role from her. And everyone allowed it to happen to this young woman. Dianna will never be Stephanie and the movie was awful as a result.

[Lunawhynot]

@stylistguy13 Diana was cast because of her star power. My sister read in article that Stephanie came to audition for the Wiz and was excited to see Diana Ross in the waiting room. Steph introduced herself  to Diana as a admirer and Diana snubbed her. The part was rewritten for 30ish, timid school teacher--never heard of a timid NY school teacher...but whatever. Also Bill Cosby was cast to play the Tin Man, but was so put out by Diana's obnoxious behavior he quit and Nipsey Russell was cast.

[NJNupe1911]

@Lunawhynot

Wow didn't know that about Bill Cosby!

[OhEmGozzles]

@NJNupe1911 didn't know what about Cosby? I missed it. Let me know please

Peace and Love

[sugarobyn]

@stylistguy13 power. She didn't have any, and Diana did.

[NJNupe1911]

@stylistguy13

POLITICS, Berry Gordy produced the film, and put HIS ON AND OFF AGAIN "SIDE PIECE" DIANA ROSS in the movie. The movie version FLOPPED badly.

[teamforeveryoung]

@stylistguy13 they wanted to sell movie tickets so they picked the diva to SELL TICKETS and Michael Jackson wasn't on the stage either to my recollection...

[shutyourpiehole]

@stylistguy13 Stephanie Mills wasn't Dorothy for 2 reasons. Berry Gordy (producer) didn't think she was pretty enough - too short and "dark". Wrong but true. We were PISSED but he was "old school" and called the shots. Also, Diana was his "girl". He promoted her always for everything. History proved him WRONG. An old, tall Dorothy was stupid & the movie flopped. Even Michael's BRILLIANT Scarecrow couldn't save it.

[anatnominuk]

@shutyourpiehole Not exactly true. Diana was 33 y.o. and Berry wanted Stephanie and told Diana that she was too old for the role. Diana went around Gordy and convinced executive producer Rob Cohen at Universal Pictures to arrange a deal where he would produce the film if Ross was cast as Dorothy. Gordy and Cohen agreed to the deal.

Yes MJ was BRILLiANT !!

[kelktl2010]

@stylistguy13 (Diana )- brings Michael to meet Barry. Michael sings for him. (Barry)- I got to have him. (Diana)- It's a package deal!.. In a nutshell..that is what happened

[RAWHEBREW]

@stylistguy13 Stephanie was actually told she had the part in the movie. She said she was so happy about it and then they hit her with the BOMB and later came and told her that it was given to DIANA ROSS. It was said that it was given to her because of her status of drawing more of an audience to the movie.

And because of this the movie was an definite bomb.

[jman1052002]

@stylistguy13 WELL THEY SAY SHE CALLED UP HERSELF AND ASKED TO PLAY THE PART!! BUT FOR ALL MOTOWN FANS WE ALL KNOW DIANA & BARRY WERE BONIN' SO NO EXPLANATION THERE!!! PUT 2 & 2 TOGETHER!! AT AGE 33 PLAYING A YOUNG ROLE!! REALLY?? WHERE THEY DO THAT AT!!! DONT GET ME WRONG SHE DID DAT!! AND THE WIZ IS MY FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL BUT I BELIEVE STEPHANIE WOULD HAVE MADE IT BIGGER!! BUT SHE'S THE ORIGINAL BLACK DOROTHY AS WE KNOW IT ANYWAY!! #TEAM STEPHANIE ALL DAY!! XOXOXOXOX!!!

[encc007]

@stylistguy13 , the reason they went with Diana instead of Stephanie was because...1, Motown had bought the film rights, and who owned Motown...Berry Gordy. 2, even though Stephanie was killing it night after night on the Broadway stage...he and Warner Bros. thought/felt Diana was a bigger star and already known worldwide...that's why she got the part, and they made revisions to the character for her to make it make sense.

[citygurl104]

@stylistguy13 Hi, I think I know the answer to your question: Diana was supposedly, uh, schlepping Barry Gordy and I guess Stephanie was not. See, in those days, a lady had to take a turn on the casting couch to get a part in a movie. :)

[ladonb2000]

@stylistguy13 It was Motown's first movie and they needed big name stars to ensure success. Unfortunately, Stephanie, Hinton Battle (who won a tony as the scarecrow) and the other stars weren't commercial enough. So, you got Diana, Michael, Nipsy, Ted, Lena etc.

[calicuzn]

@ladonb2000 Sorry, but Ted Ross wasn't miscast since he's from the original Broadway play

[dhll1956]

@stylistguy13 It was because the powers that be thought they needed someone more famous than Stephanie at the time. Believe me their were people like me who thought it was a travesty that they used Diana instead of Stephanie

[morik1]

@stylistguy13 Motown indeed wanted Stephanie Mills in the leading role. When Motown asociated with UNIVERSAL Pictures , Diana Ross conviced producer Rob Cohen to have her as Dorothy, claiming she was way more Star than any other black female artist, besides she had been nominated for an Academy Award as leading actress. A bit too old though I really liked her work in THE WIZ. Wish she would have made The Bodyguard with Steve McQueen , as it was originally thought.

[RETROGEMS]

@morik1 The Bodyguard was originally conceived of in the 1970s with Diana and Steve McQueen?? WOW! I had no idea! That sounds like it could've been an amazing picture. She should've left "The Wiz" to Stephanie, for real.

[rwoodlan]

@stylistguy13 As much as I love Diana, then, now, always -- fact is -- she wanted it. Stephanie visited her on the set and Ross "graciously" asked her to perform a number from the show for her. Gotta love her! There was a big stink about it before the movie came out. It was widely reported in the press, at least in New York. Lumet was a good director and Diana had star power. Nonetheless, I too was disappointed with the movie. BTW, I saw

Stephanie perform the role twice, Diana many times.

[freein2339]

@stylistguy13 Star Power...Diana had a much bigger name and Movie execs love that bullshit....

[bandie1909]

@stylistguy13 Its because after she was rejected for the role, Ross went behind Berry Gordy's back and got bullied the exec of universal into casting her in the role. Then film critics destroyed the movie, saying she was too old (she looks about 40 in the movie!)

[Mspendragon72]

@stylistguy13 ...SHE was cast because she was screwed Barry and was use to asking him to put her first for anybody else. Ohhh ...and had his baby. She was too too OLD FOR THE PART PERIOD! AND YESSSS SHE KILLED THAT PART!!

[lrtraore1]

@stylistguy13 Diana fought for that part and didn't care that EVERYONE thought she was too old and that Stephanie Mills should have had the roll. It was Diana being Diana back then.. ruthless. She wanted that part and she got it.

[tewrq2008]

I was there for her performance in 1975 and everytime she sang I cried. Yes, she sang and it was awesome. I had never heard of Stephanie Mills at that time, I was just going a class trip to see what they called The Wiz. I still remember it as if it were yesterday. God has blessed this woman with some awesome vocal cords. She also made a gospel tape that I used during my prison ministry years later that brought many young ladies to Christ.

[tewrq2008]

I was there for her performance in 1975 and everytime she sang I cried. Yes, she sang and it was awesome. I had never heard of Stephanie Mills at that time, I was just going a class trip to see what they called The Wiz. I still remember it as if it were yesterday. God has blessed this woman with some awesome vocal cords. She also made a gospel tape that I used during my prison ministry years later that brought many young ladies to Christ.

[susuemikado]

Makes me want to cry and laugh at the same time...Where are you Miss Mills?...Love you!

[katycia2010]

as much as I love diana her voice doesn't compare to stephanie 's !!!

[BossZula]

Oh Snap this lady got Soul! :3

[RetroSami]

I Love it!

[bob11cav]

i saw the wiz 5 times on braodway stephanie and brought down the house every night it was one of bradways greatest performances ever.

[Daviddeux]

@bob11cav

Saw it twice with Stephanie on Broadway...it was amazing! This recording does not do her voice justice.

[SuperDancejunkie]

She has a very well sustained angelic voice.

[masc6feet1man]

i love stephanie mills ,but sorry this is THE GREAT MISS ROSS SONG NOW! SHE TOOK IT.

[kiteekatgurl]

@masc6feet1man in your dreams friend

[vegasbaby92]

@masc6feet1man = I love Ross too, but ain't no way Ross tops Mills on "Home"

[nucanin]

@vegasbaby92 agree

[eagleswing44]

@masc6feet1man Sorry my dear but Diana's version does not come close to this! Put your hearing back in!

[tomyazvids]

she should of been dorothy in the movie version

[myblock2007]

SANG STEPHANIE!!!!!!

[s0undstrulycrazy]

I love the applause at 3:14, as the climax of the song begins. I wish I could have been there.

[musicbabylove1]

Stephanie Mills should have been in the wiz movie version instead of Diana Ross.

How can a 30 something year old woman play a 13 year old girl? LOL!

[barose1]

@musicbabylove1 Its all about who you know. ;-)

[JhomasE]

@musicbabylove1 Well Diana Ross called Berry Gordy @ 5am in the morning and insisted that she play Dorothy and promised to bring Michael Jackson in if she got the part. The original director was fired because he strongly disagreed with Diana playing the role. I love Diana in the part but if you ask me, they should have stuck to the original plan and let Stephanie play Dorothy. She was 20 at the time and she was perfect height wise. Diana was a 24 y/o Dorothy but still look older than that.

[leesterg]

@JhomasE: Actually D! was 34 which was just insane as you stated.

[chriscolumbianyc]

It doesn't get any better than Stephanie Mills and the ORIGINAL production of THE WIZ! It really was a wow.

[AadeelP]

Amber Riley did it pretty well but this is AMAZING!!!

[mben5]

@EazyE864 that is the worst opinion i've ever heard. this lady is the original w/out her there is no jazzmin sullivan at all these people paved the way for modern r&b singers to make it and to say someone else sounds better she made this song what it is so technically jazmin sang it wrong stephanie is 15 and kills it no one will ever do it better

[gplus46]

@mben5

I agree Stephanie kills the song but diana's version is more heart felt and she also does lethal damage at the end.

[EazyE864]

jazmine sullivan sounded better 2 me

[jytype616]

@jazzyak: I too was blessed to see the original play in L.A.. To this day, it stands out as my most memorable attendance at a musical. Its one of the reasons that I was so upset (even as a pre-teen) that Ms. Mills didn't get the part in the movie version. Why Diana Ross (a 40+-something well beyond her "fresh-faced" years) go it still upsets me thirty years later. However, I did watch the movie b/c Michael Jackson was it. But it wasn't the same. :(

[JhomasE]

@jytype616 Diana got it because she talked Berry Gordy into it. I do like Diana in the movie. She did great. Her reasoning was that Dorothy was "ageless". She did well but I don't buy that excuse. LOL. They changed the age to 24 to make it more convincing but Diane still seemed older (she was really 33 at the time). If I were Diane, I would have let that young girl (Stephanie) have her moment with the film. This is Stephanie's category and was probably bummed when she didn't get the role

[wonderboyjoy]

@JhomasE i know many older people who find it difficult to 'make that step'. they get stuck in the same job, are too shy or scared to come out or are frightened to meet people. i think being timid has no age boundaries and i thought diana was brilliant as dorothy...and the recently released blu-ray is fantastic.

[eagleswing44]

@JhomasE The movie "The Wiz" was a disaster financially and critically. The only one who got good acclaim was Lena Horn as Glinda. Berry Gordy knew nothing about making movies and should have left that to Hollywood. Dorothy should be played by a young girl as it was originally intended in the book by L. Frank Baum.

[MrJuly1990ish]

@eagleswing44

Personally I thought Micheal Jackson and Ted Ross were good in it, but yeah I agree Diana Ross was a little too old for that role. It should have been Stephanie in the movie version or Janet Jackson or somebody younger and unknown as Dorthy, not a 35 year old woman! Lol!!

[DaveWollenberg]

Steph hit #1 soul in Billboard in '89 with it. God bless!

[MrPainterPaul]

If anyone has the original TV commercial for this production please post!!!

[blackmastiff82]

Yes! more please

[XtremeMind84]

Bone-chillingly amazing.

[JazzyAK]

I was fortunate enough,( and old enough) to have seen her in this Broadway shyow. Yeah kids, ya missed it!!

[stacynewyork]

wish i was there...

[andrew42083]

WOW! I didn't even know a live recording of the original Broadway cast even existed!!! Thank you! I love the original cast of THE WIZ! More, please! :-)