I could have been accused of bludgeoning people when I was younger. But if I think I'm right, I'm going to argue for it, that's my job.

The most important thing here is the story. The songs are a wonderful bonus. But they had to be able to act.

The Wiz has been a dream of mine for some time. I cannot wait to engage the minds of some of America's premiere theatre artists in re-imagining a modern Oz.

There's no question that this is a guy who's worked very, very hard to get where he is and deserves everything that's happening to him. He can do it all and it's not going to go to his head.

We had some fairly serious financial design problems, and he set us on a much more secure financial course. He had a great impact on this institution. He's very capable and talented as an administrator. He also has a lot of great connections out in the field. He's no bean counter. He's a real producer and has many skills and talents.

Our audiences will feel like they are experiencing Sinatra's life first hand,

I think the right part came along for him and he was ready for it. He'd done all the prep work and he was ready to step up to the plate.

With more than 10 years of arts education experience behind him and an immense passion for the theater, I can think of no one more suitable for this position.

I felt confident we could do the story of the band without scenes where people suddenly break into song.

I didn't want people sitting at the breakfast table breaking out into song. They are at the recording studio and nightclub. The band is in one way or another performing their material.