The world has been fascinated by Dorothy and the gang ever since L. Frank Baum published the first book in a series, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” in 1900. The books led to the beloved 1939 movie musical “The Wizard of Oz,” with all its sepia-tones and magical color.
Gregory Maguire published his dark, fanciful prequel, “Wicked,” in 1995, which spawned the stage musical of the same name in 2003. With last year’s blockbuster, Oscar-winning film adaptation and its continuation coming out next month, we are firmly gripped by “Wicked” mania, and “The Wizard of Oz” universe is cemented as one of the most enduring stories in pop culture.
The ensemble of The Wiz in Emerald City in the North American Tour of “The Wiz.”
But in the middle of all of those incarnations, there was “The Wiz,” a revolutionary, ahead-of-its-time stage musical with an all-Black cast that told Dorothy’s story through a lens of Black struggle and pride, set to a score of soul and rhythm and blues. Three years later the story was brought to the big screen with stars Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Richard Pryor and Lena Horne.
“The Wiz” is now celebrating its 50th anniversary with a national tour bursting with vivid color and unabashed joy.
In this version, orphaned Kansas girl Dorothy tells her Aunt Em about being bullied at school by other kids who mock her and tell her she doesn’t belong. A tornado — beautifully choreographed and executed by the ensemble — sweeps away Dorothy’s house, landing her in Oz on top of an ornery witch with fabulous shoes.
Dorothy’s desire to go home leads her down the yellow brick road, which is made up of dancers guiding her way. She meets the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion, each having been stripped of his dignity by cruel witch Evilene. They accompany Dorothy to meet the all-powerful Wiz, who tells her that Evilene has imprisoned all citizens in the Emerald City, and it’s up to Dorothy to save the day.
Sheherazade as Glinda and Dana Cimone as Dorothy in the North American Tour of “The Wiz.”
The stellar cast possess voices and dance moves that make “The Wiz” a marvel to behold. Kyla Jade, pulling double duty as Aunt Em and Evilene, wows with her big Evilene song, “Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News.” And the Kravis Center can hardly contain Sheherazade’s soaring vocals on “Believe in Yourself” as good witch Glinda — she might have shaken the rafters three buildings over.
The music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls still hold up today. It’s impossible to not dance in your seat to the energetic, irresistible “Ease on Down the Road” and the hopeful, gospel-infused “Everybody Rejoice.”
Elijah Ahmad Lewis masterfully performs the James Brown-inspired “You Can’t Win.” D. Jerome shines on the second act number “What Would I Do If I Could Feel,” while Cal Mitchell as the Cowardly Lion is hilarious on “Mean Ole Lion.”
Cal Mitchell as The Lion Dana Cimone as Dorothy D. Jerome as The Tinman and Elijah Ahmad Lewis as The Scarecrow in the North American Tour of “The Wiz.”
As Dorothy, Dana Cimone delivers a lovely performance that grows throughout the show. Adept at the jazzier songs, Cimone is at her best on the slower songs, especially the power ballad “Home,” on which her impressive vocal prowess nearly brings down the house.
Daniel Brodie’s projection design is big part of the production’s success. His vibrantly colored images serve as backdrops and give the show texture. Jaquel Knight’s spirited choreography is clever and pulls from a variety of disciplines. Jon Weston’s sound is crisp and clear, while Ryan J. O’Gara’s lighting design enhances the emotional stakes in each scene. The costumes, by Sharen Davis, are inventive and whimsical.
“The Wiz” has stood the test of time as a hopeful and celebratory musical, with a lot to say about life and the Black experience. It’s a formidable facet of the legacy of “The Wizard of Oz.”
If you go
“The Wiz” runs through Oct. 26, at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. For tickets and more information, call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Review: ‘The Wiz’ musical is a marvel of rhythm, dancing and pride
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