Lets Talk... The Wiz Review!!!

[@walterkyles9225]

Thank you so much for your honest review. I saw it in Chicago and I also think it needs more time in the workshop.

[@ThespianNiki]

You're welcome! I hope you enjoyed the show/experience.

[@Abrandnewdaytowaveatawindow]

Ok so I had the pleasure of seeing The Wiz at one of its final destinations. From your review it seems like the show has not changed much at all. Having watched a video of the original production along with the movie, the NBC The Wiz Live and the regional production at the 5th Avenue I can say that this version suffers the most from the story. While I understand it is important to adapt the production for new generations I felt many of the changes were unnecessary or previous productions did them better. For instance, in the NBC The Wiz Live there was a subplot of Dorothy wanting to go back to Omaha where she was born as she hates living in Kansas since all her friends are back home. Aunt Em was compassionate and was telling her that she understands the struggle and reminds her of “the feeling we once had.” As a quick side note during the song the clouds grow darker as the storm approaches. This then leads into the tornado sequence which was remastered for the new production. The classic sequence has completely different music and is much shorter and only has 3 dancers on stage that represent the wind. In the 5th avenue production they had a actual house that lifted off the ground into the sky and spun as the dancers were on a revolving turn table. In The Wiz Live Dorothy actually gets lifted into the air with her house as she is flung into the storm represented by the multiple LED panels behind her. The original may have a small house but dancers have ribbons and the house rotates on the stage. The key difference between is the remastered orchestrations. The new production has a quick minute losing piece of music which sounds more alien and a bit sci fi sounding. I am sorry if I am rambling about this so continue reading the next sections if you wish.

[@Abrandnewdaytowaveatawindow]

Once Dorothy lands in OZ the productions really start to differ drastically. In the other productions I have seen, Adepearl enters and gives Dorothy the silver shoes. It is only her and depending on the production it will mainly be upbeat or slow and jazzy. My largest issue with the new revival is that Glinda is also present during “He’s the Wizard.” This brings up a few issues one of which I will touch on later. I do understand wanting to give Deborah Cox as much material as possible but her entrance is uneventful and the first time I saw the show I was very house right. Like you said before you could not see her enter and so the people next to me were asking what was going on. I much prefer keeping the attention on Adepearl as her character feels overshadowed by Glinda. In the other productions of The Wiz Glinda does not enter until the end of the show after the wizard leaves. She gets this large entrance and in most of the productions they use pyrotechnics or in the case of the NBC Live production she floats on in from a lift with people hanging on strings sprinkling glitter as they descend. Apart from an occasional line or two she is just mentioned as being beautiful or in the case of The Wiz Live “something special.” Basically the issue is by having her early she does not get the grand reveal she deserves.

[@Abrandnewdaytowaveatawindow]

Moving on to the Scarecrow sequence. In the original production there was a song called “I Was Born on the Day Before Yesterday.” While this song did make it to the 5th Avenue production in most productions it is cut and replaced with the song “You Can’t Win” from the 1978 movie The Wiz. There is a fun little nod to the original song in the new revival which is a charming addition. The Scarecrows backstory along with the rest of the crew has been altered heavily. While earlier productions stayed more true to the original LFB Novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the new production opted to have all there backstories connect to Eviline (Wicked Witch of the West) which ties later into the production. As a side note the Yellow Brick Road is portrayed by Yellow Brick dancers unlike previous productions. There is no physical road in the new production as it has been replaced with a yellow light. The Tin Man has become a sort of modern day teenager whose jokes often can feel forced. At one point in the show he says something like “I just want a heart to be real.” There is an incredible dance sequence though. The Lion has remained relatively the same, though once again the backstory has changed to fit with the rest of the crew.

[@Abrandnewdaytowaveatawindow]

The major differences occur after this. In the NBC production there is a subplot where Dorothy wants to get back to Omaha Nebraska. The kalidahs take advantage of this as they are shape shifters in this production and try and trick Dorothy into giving them the silver shoes. This then leads into the fight sequence which is then followed by “Be a Lion.” After this the poppy sequence happens and the lion tricks the flowers into tangling themselves up. In the new production they pull a page from the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. Like The Wicked Witch of the West, Eviline plays a much more active role in the production. She first summons the poppies and then summons the kalidahs. This once again leads into “Be a Lion” only this time the song ends Act 1 as the vocal arrangements lead to a dramatic finish with the emerald city in the distance.

[@Abrandnewdaytowaveatawindow]

Act 2 as you mentioned starts with the 8 minute dance montage. While I do understand that story wise it would flow better if the gate sequence happened first, the real reason is so that audience members do not miss the show and so that late people do not block others views when they re enter from intermission. The portrayal of the Wiz is also drastically different from production to production. In both The Wiz Live and the 5th Avenue production The Wiz is a woman who frightens the rest of Dorothy and her friends. The modern production has The Wiz treat the crew like guests of honor and flatters them. He is very much a conman who the audience can tell has ulterior motives. He tells Dorothy that everyone in the Emerald city is cursed (guilt trip)and that he will only help her if she destroys Eviline. Depending on the production Act 2 can start at different times in the story. The 5th Avenue ends with the wizards request while the new adaptation already ended before they even reached the Emerald City.

[@Abrandnewdaytowaveatawindow]

While the Eviline segments remain mostly the same, the flying monkeys/Winged Warriors in The Wz Live were scrapped from the modern production. There is a brand new short little song when Dorothy is captured though to make up for it. As I previously mentioned since the backstories are now all tied to her, she makes multiple jokes and admires her handy work. There is also a very strange scene where the guards bring her bad news and then try and make up something good before they are tossed into a furnace. Eviline in my opinion was a standout in the production. After she melts however the story has all her curses lifted which mean that now scarecrow has a brain, Tin Man has a heart and Lion has courage. I feel like it cheapens the ending a little bit as they figure out their spells have been lifted. Unlike other productions, The Wiz is a straight up conman and does nothing to help Dorothy and her friends. He straight up abandons them in the song “Y’all Got It” which has been reconceptualized from a farewell song to a “you got played number” The Wizard literally says “y’all got played at one point.”

[@justraydentv]

Hey boo thanks for the review as a thespian I think it’s important that you go back and learn the history of the wiz musical that originated on broadway and how it opened doors for us at the Tony’s not the movie that was a re imagined version and more pop version of the play the original version with Stephanie mills originating the roll is on KZbin also you all when some one does a version of the wiz it’s the Musical that was around way before the movie version the movie is it’s on intity they are 2 different things

[@ThespianNiki]

Thanks luv for the suggestions. I think my not seeing the movie version doesn't negate the lens in which I witnessed this current production. Oh how I wish I could have seen the original Broadway production. I actually went with someone almost twice my age who is way more familiar with the original and I dare not repeat her thoughts. Great idea if I can find some clips other than the musical numbers I will certainly take a look. Great way to witness what I already know is that what I saw was a modern version and the directing choices made were not good ones. No amount of research will change my opinion on what I saw nor the history of the original and its impact on the Tony's, culture, etc. I based my opinion of what I witnessed and referenced how I am not familiar with the movie (only the Wizard of Oz the true originator) which I thought may have filled some holes missing in the production storyline. I was not trying to give away spoilers so I kept my review light as I want everyone to support. I can bet my bottom dollar there are vast differences in the original Broadway production and what I saw... Hence my entire point.

[@lesliedowdell-cannon2500]

I enjoyed it however, after seeing the original broadway version a few times and the movie there are a couple of things that I think can be improved. You are right about the story being because we got to the Emerald City on the express route. I did love the harmony and the dancing and enjoyed the second half more than the first. I admit that I missed the lady with the material coming out of her headpiece representing the tornado, bring back the brothers in yellow as the yellow brick road ( they had good choreography) and lastly, the Wizard should have a more dramatic entrance. In the original broadway play, there are lights, smoke and he comes out like I am the s____! I will always support Black Theatre, just some thoughts.

[@fannishmarcia]

Appreciate your honest assessment. What did you think of the costumes - especially for the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion?

[@ThespianNiki]

You are so welcome. The costumes were the highlight for me. It was phenomenal. I can see the production getting nominated for costuming. They definitely put time, money and effort into that.

[@Allana5000.]

I saw it the other night and I thought it was horrible. The singing is banging but the show as a whole falls flat.

[@ThespianNiki]

I am not sure how they missed the mark on a revival. It's the Wiz, give us the nostalgia of seeing the production with a new cast but leave everything else alone.

[@Allana5000.]

@@ThespianNiki Yes I agree. The original book was not specifically great in the first place but it had a strong connection with the audience… This revival is going to get ripped to shreds when it hits Broadway.

[@ThespianNiki]

Listen, they had one job with this revival. I am hoping it gets revised before it hits Broadway.🤞🏾

[@Allana5000.]

@@ThespianNiki I doubt it because it’s bad from beginning to end. Also why on earth did they take “He’s The Wiz “ from Addaperle and give it to Glinda…? And why is Glinda in Act One singing all ghetto with the head roll and… Oooh child… it’s a mess.

[@ThespianNiki]

🤦🏾‍♀️ I have several questions about a lot of their choices. Also, I think they wanted to give Deborah something else to sing. The fact that she just walked out, sang her song and left. Then Dorothy went right into singing "Home". WHAT 🤦🏾‍♀️

[@ashleypowell1722]

I enjoyed…production set isn’t going to be big on touring. I watched the the Wiz the movie many times and its music heavy so the OG Wiz Play is the same way to bcoz it’s a Musical. I went to see Devils Wears Prada the Musical and it still had elements of the movie but its a musical and had limited props and had a backdrop. A lot of plays have limited production set it’s not going to be huge. I loved this play on the wiz bcoz it’s different from the others..it doesn’t have to be just like everyone else version that’s what makes art and entertainment enjoyable

[@ucity88]

Music heavy? The point of a musical is the music. 🤣🤣

[@ThespianNiki]

Lol... when you say it that way... good point. However, Musicals still have a clear storyline in which the music supports the story being told. It's not an opera so the proper dialogue which they snipped a lot of was missing from the experience.

[@ucity88]

I see what you meant,@@ThespianNiki . They really cut too much dialogue, the transitions weren't very smooth. I hope they continue to tweak it before they get to Broadway.

[@ThespianNiki]

​@@ucity88I hope you enjoyed it overall!!! Yes, they have time to tweak it. Just add back more dialogue and smooth out the transitions. I am still holding out faith for a Tony.

[@1Daddyluv]

Very interesting opinion. I am old-school. I will try to inform and educate all of the younger generation of artists on the Broadway stage. Go to the Lincoln Center Public Library and watch some OLD Broadway musicals. You will see that the only method of Broadway musicals that works is this and only this. Plots, dialog, over-acting, or under-acting are ONLY legal excuses to segue to the next musical or dance number. Hence, MUSICAL! It would probably be cute to have a well-rounded script, but if the songs and choreography aren't on point, you have a LEMON AKA "FLOP" on your conscience. I am just saying! LOL

[@ThespianNiki]

I love the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Thanks for the recommendation. I never thought to go and watch Old Broadway Musicals. With an old-school or modern approach, I was hoping they would get at least one Tony nomination with this version.

[@ngomashaman6214]

Ok I have seen the original, I own a copy of the 84 revival, I saw the 93 revival with Stephanie and Andre desheilds, I saw the 2014 tv version and I saw the movie of course. I just saw this version yesterday and I have to agree with too much and disagree with sooo much. all in all it was a great show and shouldn't be compared to the movie or the wizard of oz at all, its not that one bit other than the the core characters and their plights that's all that's it. This show was rewritten to update it so I do get that , did I love it? nahh but I didn't hate it, I was bugged more by the remixing of everything. ill save all that for my review but I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the show despite the many issues I was having the entire time which kept taking me out of the show. the ones who enjoyed this the most were the ones on the stage and people who have never seen any of the oz inceptions before so small margin

[@ThespianNiki]

I would love to see your review!

[@ucity88]

If your frame of reference was the Motown movie version of The Wiz, then you will be disappointed. The Wiz film is not representative of the original musical from the 70s. I tried to watch the NBC live version but it wasn't for me. Those of us Of A Certain Age, who got to see the 70s and 80s tours back in the day, will hopefully have a better experience.

[@ThespianNiki]

My apologies. I tried my best explaining. I do not have a clear point of reference other than the Original "Wizard of Oz". I recall seeing the movie version of the Wiz as a child but that was once and not all the way through. I saw the Live TV version and that was for specific parts. I am experienced in seeing things through a different lens, being open and subjective particularly when it is on a stage. Same as reading The color Purple, seeing the movie and Broadway Production taking them all in its perspective manor. Yesssss, go see it. Would love to know the thoughts of those who have seen the original Broadway production. I am so envious you have seen the original. 🤗

[@ucity88]

@@ThespianNiki we saw one of the 80s tours, but we got an understudy instead of Stephanie Mills. It was still awesome, tho! I'm going 12/8, and I will definitely let you know!

[@ThespianNiki]

​@@ucity88That's awesome. I'm still envious though of anyone who got to witness The Wiz and Dreamgirls. Yes, please do share. Enjoy!!!!

[@ucity88]

Saw it last night,@@ThespianNiki . People around me raved about it, "They gonna kill it on Broadway." I wonder if we saw the same show. LOL! I liked it but I didn't LOVVVE it like I was expecting/hoping to. Folx were GUSHING on they way out like it was the best thing they ever saw. Best show I ever saw in my life was the 2014 Pippin revival tour... Phillip Johnson Richardson's Tinman was the best of the bunch. He brought the house down nearly every time he opened his mouth. Nichelle Lewis' Dorothy lacked vocal power, but I suspect it might be because the modern technology doesn't need actors to project like they used to back in the day. She had a beautiful voice. The acting was great. The set was a big disappointment for me. Maybe they will have a more fantastic staging in NYC, and they're saving money during the pre Broadway tour? Kansas was appropriately sparse but Oz should be exploding with all the things. If you don't know the history and lore of New Orleans, this setting of Oz makes no sense. A Second Line parade doesn't translate without context. WHERE'S TOTO? Dorothy gets caught in the tornado *because* she's chasing after Toto when he runs away. FAIL! The tornado was also borrrring. How do you melt Evillene with no water? LOL! I don't remember how it was done on that 1984 revival tour, or when we did it in high school (1985). Can we get some confetti or something?? She's not allergic to AIR. Alan Mingo Jr. as the Wiz was okay but did not touch André DeShields performance. I can't imagine Wayne Brady will be any better. Some of the dialogue was very hard to hear, people on the floor were talking THE WHOLE TIME. WTF? Not the show's fault, tho. LOL

[@ThespianNiki]

Lol... I chuckled at your commentary (No Toto and No Water 😭). I took someone several decades older than I who has the Original to reference. We had a similar experience where folk were eating the production up but I also concluded people didn't want to be rude and over compensated with extraness to give the cast the proper energy. I can respect that as I was stuck on stupid a lot of the production trying to follow what was going on. I did not want to spoil it in my review and openly state there not being a Toto but to your point that is where the storyline needed better directing to transition the tornado scene which fell all the way flat, among other moments. We share the same sentiments about the set. I appreciate your feedback as our thoughts are similar. Crossed finger Broadway get a grand set design. You are spot on with Evillene. That part was so underwhelming as well. "She's not allergic to air"... I am laughing so hard at that. Agreed, that was another flat moment. We had horrible sound issues at our production and there were parts hard to hear, static, etc. All things they have time to work out. But the lack of theatre etiquette... Come on people. I think everyone did sound good but without enough dialogue in between songs it lacked the build up and intensity necessary for the acquired emotions. Particularly "Home" I was soooooo looking forward to that song but I myself was ready to go home that I wasn't as invested as I know I could have been if the entire show really built up to that moment. I do not need to see the original to know that when Ms. Mills got to singing "Home" EVERYONE wanted to go with her. Imaginary or not. Thank you so much for following back up with your thoughts. So glad you got to see it. You have seen so many great productions with artists I would be honored to see live on stage.

[@RickSchrader-p5w]

Heads scratching ,,,u came in more or less uninformed re the “ black “ wiz,,,and was never moved enough to see at least two prior productions through ,,definite bias of sorts,, not sure why u didn’t see at least the movie in its entirety,,might have been painful..but at least u would have had something more to work with,,,bottom line, this was unfair from jump street

[@ThespianNiki]

I should not have to see other variations of The Wiz to comprehend, enjoy or alter my view of what I witnessed. Not seeing the movie makes me unbiased actually because there is nothing to compare it to. I only went off what I encountered firsthand at the Fox Theatre.

[@RickSchrader-p5w]

@@ThespianNiki but to tell folks upfront that u did t complete seeing earlier productions not once but twice, clearly evinces a bias , if not patent disinterest , in the product being reviewed,,,not the way to frame a theatre critique,,,

[@ThespianNiki]

I read the Color Purple, Saw the 1980's movie and the Broadway play. So my opinion about the 2023 Theatrical Musical would be unbiased because I have 3 points of reference? My lack of interest being introducsed to the Wiz as a child and not seeing it to completion still holds zero weight to my review of what I saw live. I am simply pointing out that I had NOT seen The Wiz (movie) because if I had maybe I would have been able to follow the Broadway version better as it clearly omitted key elements which therefore made it feel disjointed. Again the production was under the guise that folk are familiar with the movie. I'll say it again, I will gladly give up my black card for not seeing the original movie and talk to God about not being born in a time where I would have had the opportunity to see the original cast on Broadway. This version was not it.

[@edsparan740]

Wow, I agree with others on these comments and that you are wrong on so many different levels, The Wiz was not just ground breaking for the black community but it was life changing for all of us ! Black or white, I am a gay white man 60 yrs old and directing theatre over 40 years. Your perspective comes from being young and from the movie version which is a completely different show. I think it would be best for you to do research on the Original Production. As a theatre person learn your history. You can also see the original production from KZbin or someone who has a bootleg version. The Wiz is a classic right there with any other show like Sound Of Music, Gypsy Hello Dolly etc. Also on KZbin there are plenty of stories of creating the Wiz film and why it went wrong. I think many of us would like you to do this research and then watch your video here again. Then. Take some time gather your thoughts and do another review on this show. Please. Not for us, for you, to make you a better thespian.

[@ThespianNiki]

Hello luv. You agree with one comment. The others are the same as mine from those who also saw the 2023 and original Broadway production of The Wiz. I am perplexed about what color, age and sexual orientation has to do with my review as it does not negate what I saw nor experienced. I am not sure what the history and previous impact has to do with what I witnessed in this modernized production. It would be quite asinine of me to dismiss what I observed in person because I am of a certain race, age, etc., and/or because of what the older version of this production has done for the culture in the past. Because of its history I should ignore how it is presented in the future? I am not confident you actually watched my video because these history comments are quite interesting to the context of my review on THIS production. I appreciate your feedback. I will definitely reflect on what is applicable. Happy Holidays!