| For other versions of the Tin Woodman, see Tin Woodman. |
The Tin Man is the tritagonist of The Wiz. Dorothy and the Scarecrow find him in an abandoned amusement park and he joins them to get a heart from The Wiz.
Appearances[]
Broadway[]
In 1974, Tiger Haynes portrayed the Tin man on Broadway. The Tin Man in this production was similar to the one in the original text, as he was once a real man. A wicked witch put a spell on his axe which cut off his limbs. He went to a friend of his that was a tinsmith to see if he could fix him up. He did again and again and again until the woodsman was now the Tin man.
Film[]
In 1978, the film adaptation of the musical gave the role to comedian, Nipsey Russell. Unlike the original story, this version of the Tin Man is portrayed as a carny hustler animatronic rather than a woodcutter and carries a cane instead of an axe. He also has a different origin. He was made by a inventor who only took care of his charms, razor-sharp wit, and attraction to the wrong women but forget to give him a heart. He was once married to a enormous doll named Teenie who packed on top of him when the amusement park was shutdown.
The Tin Man is first seen when Dorothy, Toto, and the Scarecrow are seen walking through an old rundown abandoned amusement park. After the rescue him, he then sings a song about what would he do if he had feelings and the Scarecrow, despite not having a brain, suggests that he comes with them to see the Wiz so he can get a heart. After oiling his joints, the Tin Man joins them. Despite not having a heart, he seems to care about his friends and he manages to save them on occasions like when his tears manage to awaken Dorothy, Toto and the Lion when they are caught in the Poppy Girls trap.
- In The Wiz, the role was originally assigned to actor Ben Vereen, but director Sidney Lumet decided to give the role to Nipsey Russell.
Live[]
Singer and song-writer Ne-Yo portrayed the role of the Tin man in the 2015 adaptation of The Wiz. With similarities to the original character from the 1970s musical and the original book. He was once a real man whom was in love, but the wicked witch of the east was in love with him too, She was jealous of the other girl and mad that he didn't have affections her. Before he could tell the Witch he didn't love her, she saw him and his girlfriend named Bertha kissing. She became so furious she cast a spell on him, turning him to metal. He had to break up with Bertha because he couldn't love her without his heart since the Witch took it away.
Broadway 2023[]
In the 2023 National Tour and Broadway revival, the Tin Man like before was a normal woodsman. He and his other woodsmen friends went out for karaoke, one performer sang horrible and the Tin Man called their performance "Rusty from head to toe". Undenounced to everyone the singer was Evillene and after being insulted she turned him into metal.
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