The Wiz Reviews

Mae from Cleveland, Ohio

REVISITING CHILDHOOD THROUGH THE WIZ

The Wiz opened this Tuesday in Cleveland at Playhouse Square as a second stop before heading to other cities and then opening on Broadway. It feels like a treat to see a show pre-broadway. I am avid theater goer and lover so I thought I'd share my thoughts. Here are a couple of notes : 1. If you are in Cleveland and you are seeing the show during the week be sure to go to the Buzz session that starts at 6:30. Its background information truly helps set the stage for the show. 2. Try to find and watch both The Wizard of Oz original movie and The Wiz movie with Diana Ross and Michael Jackson to get more context. It will truly help you understand how awestruck I was with this revival. 3. This show is completely diverse in the fact that the show was written and performed by an all African Americans. 4. This show is an adaptation of a well known plot told in a way that uses relatable comedy, and a spectacular delivery to captivate audiences. Now let’s get into it: What I loved: Show Updates: The script, music, and dancing were all updated to make the show more relatable. I absolutely loved how the choreographer and music director did an amazing job making everything feel contemporary. I love how the different types of dance were used. The is an amazing mix of ballet, jazz, hip hop, and modern within the choreography. The music and dance helped push the musical forward and really drove home the intentionality of its attempt to help the audience feel as though it is a musical that was written in 2023. Artistry: This show is all about the majestics of how theater combines color, costume, and music as a living and breathing art form. It is a true example of how all of the aforementioned things come together to create works of performance art. The use of color in reference to costume and set design was absolutely captivating. Dance: Whether they were main characters or in the ensemble. The actors and actresses were all astonishing singers and dancers. The way that the show personified the tornado, the yellow brick road and poppies truly added depth to the show. Vocals: I was pleasantly surprised to see Deborah Cox hit the stage as Glinda. I truly hope this play develops her character and she is integrated more into the show. She has a lot to add to the Wiz and I felt she was not utilized enough. Nichelle Lewis(Dorothy), Deborah Cox (Glinda), Melody Betts(Auntie Em/Eviline), Avery Wilson (Scarecrow) and Kyle Freeman (The Lion) gave show stopping and hand clapping, vocal performances that gave me goosebumps while leaving me on the edge of my seat. Nichelle Lewis reminded me of a young Whitney Houston and her ability to evoke emotions during a song is a true treat. Once again, I must reiterate, that everyone’s singing and dancing, was amazing but the actresses and actors that I named stood out in particular. Casting: I absolutely love that the entire cast had different age groups and body types. Each body type was celebrated and utilized whether you were old or young or whether you were thin or curvy. What a wonderful way to promote inclusivity! What I felt had some opportunities for growth and development: Script and Character development: I would have loved to see more chemistry between Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Tin Man and The Lion. There was some stiffness during the show especially in their dance scenes. I have to admit that the dance movements during the Yellow Brick Road always seemed forced or maybe just slightly off. Throughout the show, they never seem to get their timing right. I am not sure if that is a character chemistry issue or they just need more repetition of those movements. I have to also say that there were several moments where the line delivery was wooden, it truly felt like they were reading lines and forcing it. I am not sure if that is because there could stand to be a bit more script development for a more fluid conversation amongst characters or if it is just the way the characters are delivering their lines. Script Development: There were several moments during the show where the script and the lines felt very forced. There were also moments that the script did not flow like a natural day to day conversation amongst friends and acquaintances. In my opinion, that is the difference between calling a show great or just good. Ensemble Side Note: I have said this before but I will say it again , I would have loved to see more Glinda. (But I digress) Ensemble development: Timing during dance numbers seemed to be off. I could be wrong, but there were moments in which ensemble dancers seemed to miss their timing. It was more apparent in certain scenes such as the poppies and the Oz Club scene. Positive Actions I observed: I saw lots of production team members floating around so I am hoping they are pushing the envelope to develop this into the amazing show that I know it is. I don't believe I've seen the final version of this show and I hope to go see it on Broadway when all of the tweaking is complete. Overall: The show is a delight with plenty of laugh out loud, toe tapping and hand clapping moments. I’m looking at my busy schedule to see how I can fit in another visit just before the show leaves Cleveland to see how it moves forward with the production team’s notes. Overall; This is definitely one to go see. If you love wonderful music, the use of color, beautiful costume and set design, artistry and laughter with a wonderful message to search within to find yourself… do yourself a favor and buy a ticket if you’re in Cleveland. If you are not in Cleveland and it Eases down the road to your city, go see it.

Lita Stanford from Atlanta, Georgia

NICE TRY TO REVIVE CLASSIC MUSICAL

I went in to see the Wiz last night (Tuesday) in Atlanta with an open mind and heart. I grew up in NYC and saw the orig with Stephanie Mills. This Dorothy was adorable, but NO Stephanie Mills. The set was lack luster. I sat on the far right side of stage and could not see many of the characters (Good witch) during their entrance and performance. The dancing was a lot of twerking; the humor was shallow (dropping a house in this economy :(. The dancers were not in sync. I love Meg the Stallion; but maybe her choreographer is not the one for a stage musical. The story line was overly uncomplicated; they just got up and decided not to stay with the Poppies??? Really? Beautiful voices, terrible sound system - at the Fox; I don't understand that. The Scarecrow was fabulous, true performer. Deborah Cox needed my stage time. The entire story seemed Rushed. Has potential, first thing is to start on time.

Yolanda J. from Atlanta, Georgia

HONEST.

My take on #thewizbway. Pros: The singing was great! The main cast members were AMAZING! And, Miss @deborahcox ATE!!!! Her costume was TOP NOTCH!!!!!🥰🥰🥰🥰💅 -Last night's show was a FULL HOUSE, so it was nice to see black business supported. Cons: -Where did the profits go because the costumes were giving "Amazon" and Target clearance. I've literally seen better costumes during highschool productions. I'd recommend hiring fashion students or an actual costume designer that's HUNGRY, versus somebody "frien" or niece. This is business and, a brand. -Set design was tacky and shrunk the stage terribly! It looked like "Lion King." -The actors played to center stage and stage right, so for more than 80% of the show, everyone in the CLOSE, Orchestra floor seats stage left could only see a red curtain and the stage lights for the majority of the show. For $250+ per seat, we were FURIOUS!!!! -There were soooo many over the top & unnecessary LGBT undertones, which were unexpected given the core content of the show. I had no reasonable expectations to see a man "twerking and throwing it in a circle" at this type of show. -There was no "Toto," and people kept asking "where is the dog?!!" Lastly, I was not aware of who put on this production but in hindsight, outside of the "brand" of #TheWiz and Kandi, I wouldn't do it again. I came in excited to see this production and left really disappointed in the fact that CLEARLY the profits were pocketed and we were thrown SCRAPS, yet again. Don't get me started on the subpar food at Old Lady Gang. Overall, I'd give the show a strong C+. It did not carry or compare to what I've seen in the past in Detroit or at other shows at The Fox. For $65, I could've went to see Cirque De Soleil Echo. 🍅🍅🍅🍅

Jackie from Chicago, Illinois

THE WIZ PREMIERE IN CHICAGO

I actually give it 3.5 stars, but rounded up. I feel that I managed my expectations well in coming in to the play. I was not expecting spectacular, just to be entertained and I was thoroughly entertained. The singing was GREAT, especially Deborah Cox. I thought Dorothy did well but she had very large shoes to fill with Stephanie Mills playing the role previously. I liked the dancing even though they did a lot of twerking. The talent was evident. I think a lot of people will fall into the trap of comparing a stage play to a movie as most of our reference is to The Wiz movie with Michael Jackson and Diana Ross. As a play, more creativity has to be shown without editing or special effects. However, the guards as the “guides” or yellow brick road was not obvious . I feel that they could have managed a yellow brick road. I, however, liked the dancers as the tornado. Not sure why no Toto, but he was missed. The story seemed rushed, jokes were juvenile but still made me laugh. Worth my $90!

Libra B from Chicago, IL

HAS POTENTIAL BUT NEEDS SOME WORK

This show has potential but needs more work to make it broadway caliber. The acting was good and the vocals were superb. But the set was tired and low budget. I was aghast. The dancers were good but the choreography was lazy and uninspired. Why all the twerking? Who are you pandering to? People come to a 'broadway show' to see sophistication and elevated artistry. Not the same banality that can be found at a backyard bbq. The sound system was sorely lacking . It sounded like music playing from a clock radio as opposed to the rich, electrifying surround-sound feel that musicals like Moulin Rouge give you. There were actually times when we couldn't make out what they were saying; inadequate elocution. Blocking was a little off in certain parts. Sitting stage right, certain characters or things on the screen were obscured. Costumes were ok but didn't wow. Overall, the talent is there but we didn't feel the "wow" of a broadway production. Keeping working... you'll get there!

Sue from San Francisco, California

GREAT VOICES, WEAK BAND, WEIRD DANCING

I guess they wanted to update the staging and dialogue. Ok. Sure. But this was more like a TV pop-singer contest than a Broadway musical. Changing tempo often removed the musical point if some songs, and cost others the emotional impact. Some lacked a steady beat, and the genre was a confusing mix without style. Making Evileen climb the stairs rendered her harmless rather than frightening. Her melting was amateurish. Wayne Brady can sing and dance, but he brought nothing emotional to the part. Was he supposed to be a villian or sympathetic? Overall, it was a showcase lacking an emotional arc. Needs to cut the poppy scene altogether and some repetitive verses before going to NYC.

LaLa from Charlotte, North Carolina

THE WIZARD OF OZ

I had very high expectations for the WIZ. I grew up loving the movie! I was very disappointed with the performance. It was more like the Wizard of Oz then the Wiz. They show only stuck with the songs from the WIZ. The Wiz (movie) was magical and this production did not deliver the magic for me. Dorothy was from NY not Kansas. So many things was just off. I was greatly disappointed.

Page:1234All