See “The Wiz” Star Nichelle Lewis Get Ready for the Broadway Debut She 'Always Dreamed Of' (Exclusive)

"To make my Broadway debut with this show and cast has been a dream come true," she says

The Wiz is back on Broadway — and Nichelle Lewis is the star!

In behind-the-scenes photos shared exclusively with PEOPLE, the actress, who plays Dorothy, prepares for opening night at New York City's Marquis Theatre on Wednesday, April 17.

"Opening night was such an amazing experience," she says. "To make my Broadway debut with this show and cast has been a dream come true."

Related: Deborah Cox, Common, Sherri Shepherd and More Stars Hit Yellow Brick Carpet for Opening of The Wiz on Broadway

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

Adds Lewis, "As I was getting ready for the carpet and also for the show, it felt surreal to be on this journey that I’ve always dreamed of."

"And who wouldn’t love to be pampered on their opening night," she says.

The Wiz's current Broadway revival comes nearly 50 years after the musical originally opened on Broadway back in 1975.

The new production, directed by Schele Williams and produced by Real Housewives of Atlanta's Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker, touted itself as an "entirely reimagined revival" when it was first announced in 2022.

Wayne Brady plays the musical's title role, while Deborah Cox plays Glinda and Melody A. Betts rounds out the production's principal cast by portraying both Aunt Em and Evillene.

The production hits Broadway for the first time in 40 years following a 13-city national tour that began in Baltimore in September. It's based on L. Frank Baum's beloved children's book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The original 1975 Broadway production won seven Tony Awards, including best musical.

"I made my BROADWAY DEBUT. What?!? I still can’t believe it," Lewis wrote on Instagram March 30, after the production's first preview performance. "I am so proud of us all. God is good."

The Wiz's ensemble also features Lauryn Adams, Maya Bowles, Shayla Alayre Caldwell, Jay Copeland, Allyson Kaye Daniel, Judith Franklin, Michael Samarie George, Collin Heyward, Amber Jackson, Olivia Jackson, Christina Jones, Polanco Jones, Kolby Kindle, Mariah Lyttle, Kareem Marsh, Alan Mingo, Jr., Anthony Murphy, Dustin Praylow, Cristina Rae, Matthew Sims Jr, Avilon Trust Tate, Keenan D. Washington and Timothy Wilson.

The musical is in production at the Marquis Theatre now; ticket information is available online.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.