The world has been fascinated by Dorothy and the gang ever since L. Frank Baum published the first book in a series, \u201cThe Wonderful Wizard of Oz,\u201d in 1900. The books led to the beloved 1939 movie musical \u201cThe Wizard of Oz,\u201d with all its sepia-tones and magical color.<\/p>\n
Gregory Maguire published his dark, fanciful prequel, \u201cWicked,\u201d in 1995, which spawned the stage musical of the same name in 2003. With last year\u2019s blockbuster, Oscar-winning film adaptation and its continuation coming out next month, we are firmly gripped by \u201cWicked\u201d mania, and \u201cThe Wizard of Oz\u201d universe is cemented as one of the most enduring stories in pop culture.<\/p>\n
The ensemble of The Wiz in Emerald City in the North American Tour of “The Wiz.”<\/p>\n
But in the middle of all of those incarnations, there was \u201cThe Wiz,\u201d a revolutionary, ahead-of-its-time stage musical with an all-Black cast that told Dorothy\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Wiz\u201d is now celebrating its 50th<\/sup> anniversary with a national tour bursting with vivid color and unabashed joy.<\/p>\n 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\u2019t belong. A tornado \u2014 beautifully choreographed and executed by the ensemble \u2014 sweeps away Dorothy\u2019s house, landing her in Oz on top of an ornery witch with fabulous shoes.<\/p>\n Dorothy\u2019s 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\u2019s up to Dorothy to save the day.<\/p>\n Sheherazade as Glinda and Dana Cimone as Dorothy in the North American Tour of \u201cThe Wiz.\u201d<\/p>\n The stellar cast possess voices and dance moves that make \u201cThe Wiz\u201d a marvel to behold. Kyla Jade, pulling double duty as Aunt Em and Evilene, wows with her big Evilene song, \u201cDon\u2019t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News.\u201d And the Kravis Center can hardly contain Sheherazade\u2019s soaring vocals on \u201cBelieve in Yourself\u201d as good witch Glinda \u2014 she might have shaken the rafters three buildings over.<\/p>\n The music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls still hold up today. It\u2019s impossible to not dance in your seat to the energetic, irresistible \u201cEase on Down the Road\u201d and the hopeful, gospel-infused \u201cEverybody Rejoice.\u201d<\/p>\n Elijah Ahmad Lewis masterfully performs the James Brown-inspired \u201cYou Can\u2019t Win.\u201d D. Jerome shines on the second act number \u201cWhat Would I Do If I Could Feel,\u201d while Cal Mitchell as the Cowardly Lion is hilarious on \u201cMean Ole Lion.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.”<\/p>\n 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 \u201cHome,\u201d on which her impressive vocal prowess nearly brings down the house.<\/p>\n Daniel Brodie\u2019s projection design is big part of the production\u2019s success. His vibrantly colored images serve as backdrops and give the show texture. Jaquel Knight\u2019s spirited choreography is clever and pulls from a variety of disciplines. Jon Weston\u2019s sound is crisp and clear, while Ryan J. O\u2019Gara\u2019s lighting design enhances the emotional stakes in each scene. The costumes, by Sharen Davis, are inventive and whimsical.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Wiz\u201d has stood the test of time as a hopeful and celebratory musical, with a lot to say about life and the Black experience. It\u2019s a formidable facet of the legacy of \u201cThe Wizard of Oz.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/span><\/div>\n
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