Kansas native Kyla Jade brings Broadway back home as The Wiz hits KC

Kyla Jade as Evillene. Photo by Jeremy Daniel

The yellow-brick road leads to Kansas City with the arrival of The Wiz as the iconic musical is celebrating its 50th anniversary. But for one cast member, it’s more than a performance. It’s a homecoming, too.

Kyla Jade has taken the stage all across the country on the National Broadway Tour, but for the Kansas native and breakout star from NBC’s The Voice, there’s no place like home.

Growing up in Topeka, she was in constant competition with the Kansas City music scene, going back and forth between the cities with her church group, allowing her to create musical friendships, but also tap into her competitive drive.

“It’s definitely shaped my love for music first of all, and secondly just my hunger for learning more about the arts, period,” Jade says. “I don’t think I’ve done a show in Kansas since right after The Voice, so I’m excited about bringing our show to the Metropolitan area.”

Taking the stage at Kansas City Music Hall, Jade plays dual roles: the fiery antagonist Evillene and the caring and calm Aunt Em.

Growing up as a Disney baby, Jade watched all sorts of Disney films and found a particular love for Ursula, as well as the music that accompanied the villains.

Kyla Jade as Evillene. Photo by Jeremy Daniel

“Well, the villains have the best songs so if you’re gonna do it, get the best songs,” Jade says. “Seeing the Wiz as I got older, I just thought Evillene was fantastic. She was fantastic in all of her big-dressed glory, and so to be able to play these parts, it’s pretty humbling and iconic for me.”

Those close to Jade would describe her as soft spoken; able to express her displeasure, anger, or frustration all in a quiet voice. Evillene, however, is quite the opposite. The main antagonist is fearsome, boisterous, and over-the-top angry, so Jade must fend off her own loving personality to allow Evillene to take form.

“What people don’t see on the side of the stage before I come on, I have to literally huff and puff and force myself because usually I’m smiling and laughing, but I can’t come out smiling,” Jade says. “I have to stand on the side of the stage, sometimes grip my fist and force myself into this angry frown so I can come out and do it. It’s hysterical to watch.”

Originally played by Mabel King in The Wiz (1978), Jade seeks to honor King’s previous portrayal of Evillene while also adding her own personal touch.

“I think (King) was the personification of (Evillene) because she did Broadway and then she did the movie, so I’m taking hers and adapting this ‘hurt’ into her character,” Jade says. “She’s not just angry; she’s hurt. Sometimes she’s vulnerable and so I think that’s what makes my Evillene character a little different is I show her vulnerability.”

Jade’s other character, Aunt Em, is a polar opposite from Evillene, acting as a warm, nurturing caretaker for Dorothy. However, she draws inspiration from a much more personal source.

“Aunt Em is really based after my mother,” Jade says. “That’s where the softness comes. My mother could get us together with a look, and she never yelled. She didn’t have to, and we were fearful.”

Kyla Jade as Aunt Em. Photo by Jeremy Daniel

Audiences will have the pleasure of seeing the full extent of Jade’s range, including the audience Jade holds most dear: her friends and family.

“I’m gonna cry, I can’t lie,” Jade says. “Those who know the struggles and know what it took to get here, it is always a blessing for them to see what God has done in my life.”

Reflecting on her path from Kansas to The Voice to Broadway, Jade offers advice for upcomers like she once was.

“Try everything,” Jade says. “Fail beautifully and try again, but you’ll never know what you can accomplish if you don’t try.”

On stage from July 8-13, The Wiz brings an infusion of ballet, jazz, and modern pop to the Land of Oz with an iconic score featuring soul, gospel, rock, and 70s funk, offering an exciting twist to the beloved story.

“It means that there’s something for everybody,” Jade says. “You can all come to the show and all of you can take something from it, and I think that’s what our director Schele Williams was trying to do is give you joy in two hours, and you can leave with joy. That’s what I want people to remember about this 50th anniversary of The Wiz.”

Tickets are still available to see Jade and rest of The Wiz’s star-studded cast bring Broadway to downtown Kansas City.