The Wiz | Broadway Review

[@PettiWilks]

I enjoyed your mindful overall review! I have followed Phillip Johnson Richardson's career of ongoing opportunities that demonstrates his multiple talents! Phillip's grandmother & I was classmates & friends since our elementary school years & still close friends! My last conversation with Phillip was at Chili's Restaurant in Mt. View, Ca. I encouraged him to continue staying focus on his career goals & health. I was happy to hear your appreciation of his talents! 🥰🙏🎤🎼

[@wandamanning8177]

It was great. Music, dancing, omg. ❤

[@prowolf633]

The Wiz is one of my favorite musicals ever! Getting to see this revival was the greatest thing. I hope future productions will use the changes this version made

[@rockybalboa4593]

IMO Deborah Cox should have been Eviline. The entire cast and show itself were incredible, but we just didn’t get to see Glinda enough to appreciate Deborah and her magnificent voice. The songs she sang just didn’t showcase her vocal range and talent. Eviline is a larger role. She should have been Eviline IMO. Nonetheless, I’m just so happy I was able to see this show live today via standing room before it closes this Sunday. I had a blast. The entire cast was absolutely incredible. The show also had some of the most beautiful sets I’ve ever seen on a Broadway stage. So I have to respectfully disagree with this reviewer on that. For me, the main issue was miscasting on behalf of the witches. Deborah Cox was the dance anthem queen of my youth growing up. When I hear she’s in the Wiz, I expect her to be the wicked witch.

[@Garth-zm7qx]

Such a great review, and thank you for your perspective! I’m excited to listen to the cast album tomorrow. 😊

[@lisasaxton4809]

Hi, Theater Maven...I found your review interesting. I loved the 1975 version of The Wiz (yes, I'm older) and was highly skeptical of this version as they took out my favorite song (Scarecrow's "I Was Born on the Day Before Yesterday). But I, like you, bought a seat near the very back for a March/April show when it first opened and thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved it so much, I brought friends to see it on Sunday, July 28. [They even sang a section of my fav song towards the end!]. I was blown away by the singing, dancing, creativity and humor. I will say that Deborah Cox's performance was night and day. I agree with you, during the spring show, she was less than impressive. But now, she is blowing it out of the theater! I didn't even know she had such an expansive vocal range. She is now truly amazing. Thankfully, Wayne Brady has since left the show. He seemed like he didn't even want to be there and was just doing it for a check. I loved the drum majorettes as the yellow brick road. I found that very creative and very "us." And, lastly, as great as the cast was in the spring, it appeared they must have a bet to see who can get the longest and loudest ovation, because they sang and danced their butts off! It' was amazing to see what a difference two/three months can make. Also, I think the show appears small as it was not made for a Broadway run/theater.

[@rockybalboa4593]

IMO Deborah Cox should have been Eviline. The entire cast and show itself were incredible, but we just didn’t get to see Glinda enough to appreciate Deborah and her magnificent voice. The songs she sang just didn’t showcase her vocal range and talent. Eviline is a larger role. She should have been Eviline IMO. Nonetheless, I’m just so happy I was able to see this show live today via standing room before it closes this Sunday. I had a blast. The entire cast was absolutely incredible. The show also had some of the most beautiful sets I’ve ever seen on a Broadway stage. So I have to respectfully disagree with this reviewer on that. For me, the main issue was miscasting on behalf of the witches. Deborah Cox was the dance anthem queen of my youth growing up. When I hear she’s in the Wiz, I expect her to be the wicked witch.

[@lisasaxton4809]

Oh yes! What an excellent point! That would have made the show even better.

[@dianahutchinson3770]

Saw the show yesterday and loved it! The singing, the dancing, the color -- wow!! Dorothy was played by an understudy (Christina Jones). Her voice was beautiful, but her acting was somewhat lackluster I thought. However, her musical numbers were great! My favorite was the scarecrow -- I thought he was fantastic in the way her portrayed his "brainlessness." His dancing and singing skills are amazing, and I really felt his embodied his character so well. I loved his energy! Also loved Evillene, especially the song "No Bad News" which was AMAZING!! Thanks for your review!

[@rockybalboa4593]

IMO Deborah Cox should have been Eviline. The entire cast and show itself were incredible, but we just didn’t get to see Glinda enough to appreciate Deborah and her magnificent voice. The songs she sang just didn’t showcase her vocal range and talent. Eviline is a larger role. She should have been Eviline IMO. Nonetheless, I’m just so happy I was able to see this show live today via standing room before it closes this Sunday. I had a blast. The entire cast was absolutely incredible. The show also had some of the most beautiful sets I’ve ever seen on a Broadway stage. So I have to respectfully disagree with this reviewer on that. For me, the main issue was miscasting on behalf of the witches. Deborah Cox was the dance anthem queen of my youth growing up. When I hear she’s in the Wiz, I expect her to be the wicked witch.

[@Elphaboy]

To be fair regarding the set design. This was a national tour that landed on broadway after the tour and a tour as to actually be on the smaller side for travel and packing purposes. So I fully understand you saying it feels small because for a sit down broadway show it actually is small. And the technically for this revival the “yellow brick road” was those for dancers in yellow. It wasn’t a legit road. I will say I absolutely loved it! I’m going back! I do agree with you’re assessment of Deborah Cox she was good I didn’t love her. I didn’t see Wayne he was gone before I got a ticket but my Wiz was great I honestly forget his name. I however adore the show in general. Not as much the movie but I’m obsessed with the stage show!!!!!!!

[@rockybalboa4593]

IMO Deborah Cox should have been Eviline. The entire cast and show itself were incredible, but we just didn’t get to see Glinda enough to appreciate Deborah and her magnificent voice. The songs she sang just didn’t showcase her vocal range and talent. Eviline is a larger role. She should have been Eviline IMO. Nonetheless, I’m just so happy I was able to see this show live today via standing room before it closes this Sunday. I had a blast. The entire cast was absolutely incredible. The show also had some of the most beautiful sets I’ve ever seen on a Broadway stage. So I have to respectfully disagree with this reviewer on that. For me, the main issue was miscasting on behalf of the witches. Deborah Cox was the dance anthem queen of my youth growing up. When I hear she’s in the Wiz, I expect her to be the wicked witch.

[@Elphaboy]

@@rockybalboa4593 ​​⁠I fully get that but I honestly think that Melody had easily one of the best voices on the professional stage right now and as someone who also grew up listening to Deborah Cox as amazing as she is I do not think she’d out-sing melody that woman has a control over music she produces with her own voice that I think no human has ever achieved! I agree the songs Deborah sang didn’t fully showcase her talent however I also fully miss Adapearl singing “he’s the Wiz” I fully get why Glinda has this song now but I prefer that moment staying Adapearl’s. But yea I’d love to see Deborah’s Evileene but now that I’ve heard Melody’s I don’t think I’ll ever LOVE another Evileene as much as long as I live 😂🤣. I also agree it was beautiful show!!! As a costume designer and builder myself I could see the “we got this suit on Amazon” of some of the costumes buuuuut the stuff you can get online now is actually really good and more than does the job so none of it detracts from the spectacular quality of the show❣️❣️❣️❣️I’m thrilled you got a chance to see it! I can not tell you how happy I am that it’ll be in Philly in June! I will have 3 sets of tickets so see it while it’s there❣️❣️❣️❣️

[@Tdottdot]

Saw it when they came to Los Angeles before they went to broadway. This version of the wiz felt like a random black mega church made copies of a script and put on a performance. It had no heart. Everyone was trying to out sing each other. It had NO HEART. Avery Wilson is a great singer but his acting in the show was literally the worst acting I have ever seen in a broadway show. The changes they made to the script added NOTHING. I could go on and on but it’s pointless.

[@ballerinafromtheblock]

The outsinging eachother is unfortunate fr :/ musicals are more than singing.

[@TeagueChrystie]

She's back! EDIT: Wayne Brady as The Wiz is unbelievable!

[@TheTheaterMaven]

I'm glad you enjoyed his performance!

[@rockybalboa4593]

IMO Deborah Cox should have been Eviline. The entire cast and show itself were incredible, but we just didn’t get to see Glinda enough to appreciate Deborah and her magnificent voice. The songs she sang just didn’t showcase her vocal range and talent. Eviline is a larger role. She should have been Eviline IMO. Nonetheless, I’m just so happy I was able to see this show live today via standing room before it closes this Sunday. I had a blast. The entire cast was absolutely incredible. The show also had some of the most beautiful sets I’ve ever seen on a Broadway stage. So I have to respectfully disagree with you on that. For me, the main issue was miscasting on behalf of the witches. Deborah coz was the dance anthem queen of my youth growing up. When I hear she’s in the Wiz, I expect her to be the wicked witch. P.S.. I am only reposting this on numerous comments because I am genuinely interested in people’s opinions if Deborah was Eviline instead. Very curious about other opinions.

[@miltonjunior2625]

Agree 100% on the best characters too. Tin man the best surprise in my opinion!

[@daniellestewart9255]

Love your review! I agree about Deborah Cox. Love her, but not with that 1st song. Glinda doesn't sing that sing originally. Adapearle sings that song. I was disappointed by that. And I also agree about Wayne Brady. Celebrity doesn't always mean the best! I saw The Wiz with both men playing the Wiz. I didn't particularly care that Wayne was the Wiz. Melody and Avery were the breakout stars to me.

[@obifey]

Yeah, I saw it in Los Angeles on the 2nd night . . . Red Carpet Night. I was so excited to finally be getting to see this show since I was too young to see it originally when it came out. But yeah, it sucked! It was a MAJOR Disappointment. It was like excitedly getting ready to drink a nice cold soda pop and when you pop off the lid and take a swig, it's FLAT! "FLAT AS DAY OLD BEER!!"

[@rockybalboa4593]

IMO Deborah Cox should have been Eviline. The entire cast and show itself were incredible, but we just didn’t get to see Glinda enough to appreciate Deborah and her magnificent voice. The songs she sang just didn’t showcase her vocal range and talent. Eviline is a larger role. She should have been Eviline IMO. Nonetheless, I’m just so happy I was able to see this show live today via standing room before it closes this Sunday. I had a blast. The entire cast was absolutely incredible. The show also had some of the most beautiful sets I’ve ever seen on a Broadway stage. So I have to respectfully disagree with this reviewer on that. For me, the main issue was miscasting on behalf of the witches. Deborah Cox was the dance anthem queen of my youth growing up. When I hear she’s in the Wiz, I expect her to be the wicked witch.

[@daniellestewart9255]

@rockybalboa4593 Melody Betts is Evilene. She made that character her own just like Mable King, Theresa Merritt and others that portrayed that role. No Bad News is a soulful gruff type of song. I love Deborah Cox. But Evilene was not the role for her. Glinda was the correct role.

[@bigjay4862]

I saw the Wiz last week and it was phenomenal! I think you are comparing it too much to the movie version which I actually hated! The original Wiz that starred Stephanie Mills as Dorothy is the benchmark for me, not Diana Ross. Deborah Cox was phenomenal. Wayne Brady had left the show by the time I saw it but I do agree that the actor who played The Wiz was sort of lackluster. The production did feel small but the actors and the singing made up for it. The stage space was limited so there was only but so much they could do with props and stage pieces. All in all I give the a show 4.5 out of 5

[@cocoabrown_]

Thanks for your review! I’ve been hesitant to go because just from the trailers, I can tell this version didn’t push itself with a contemporary lens. Plus, I saw the lead sing ‘Home’ during promo before it opened officially on Broadway and I thought to myself, “No, talented, but not a superstar”. Yes, she’s amazingly talented, but that role has to be a star. And you mentioned, the production design was boring. That’s unacceptable for Broadway. There’s too much comparison out there. Oz is a magical experience and audiences should be mesmerized, not just by grande performances, but the setting should be mind blowing. Not surprised about Wayne Brady. A bit surprised about Deborah Cox. When this show got zero Tony Award nominations, I knew there were problems. This show has been played on countless high school stages. This is 2024. A game on Broadway is the only way to play.

[@rockybalboa4593]

IMO Deborah Cox should have been Eviline. The entire cast and show itself were incredible, but we just didn’t get to see Glinda enough to appreciate Deborah and her magnificent voice. The songs she sang just didn’t showcase her vocal range and talent. Eviline is a larger role. She should have been Eviline IMO. Nonetheless, I’m just so happy I was able to see this show live today via standing room before it closes this Sunday. I had a blast. The entire cast was absolutely incredible. The show also had some of the most beautiful sets I’ve ever seen on a Broadway stage. So I have to respectfully disagree with this reviewer on that. For me, the main issue was miscasting on behalf of the witches. Deborah Cox was the dance anthem queen of my youth growing up. When I hear she’s in the Wiz, I expect her to be the wicked witch.

[@AlexandriaPayne-s6q]

⁠@@rockybalboa4593stop spamming everyone. lol. Are you Deborah?

[@rl2009]

I loved your review!

[@DJGNYC]

Saw the show & agree with everything you said, including the “Charlie/Chocolate Factory” stuff! That has to be one of the poorest designs I’ve ever seen on B’way & I’ve been around a hot minute.

[@mnolan3707]

First, I will say I respect your review, but I don’t agree with your opinion 🤷🏽‍♀️. I just saw The Wiz last night, 8/3/24. I was uber excited & impressed with the stage props, costumes, singing/ dancing, acting, the modern day twist that was added, etc.! In my opinion I was taken to each “location” presented. I think it was creative and convincing. The stage space wasn’t massive so I think they did an awesome job considering the space they had to work with. Awesome show!! Bravo to the entire creative team & cast👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾💐💐💐💐💐💐!!!

[@rockybalboa4593]

IMO Deborah Cox should have been Eviline. The entire cast and show itself were incredible, but we just didn’t get to see Glinda enough to appreciate Deborah and her magnificent voice. The songs she sang just didn’t showcase her vocal range and talent. Eviline is a larger role. She should have been Eviline IMO. Nonetheless, I’m just so happy I was able to see this show live today via standing room before it closes this Sunday. I had a blast. The entire cast was absolutely incredible. The show also had some of the most beautiful sets I’ve ever seen on a Broadway stage. So I have to respectfully disagree with this reviewer on that. For me, the main issue was miscasting on behalf of the witches. Deborah Cox was the dance anthem queen of my youth growing up. When I hear she’s in the Wiz, I expect her to be the wicked witch.

[@daniellestewart9255]

@@mnolan3707 I was at the same show!! That was my 3rd time seeing it. Loved it!!

[@jpnissen5242]

Im really glad Alan Mingo Jr have taken over as the wizard! his performance on npr tiny desk i liked a lot and i was as u disappointed with Wayne Brady..

[@daniellestewart9255]

@jpnissen5242 Yes!!!!! I totally agree!! I saw both of them in the role and I preferred Alan Mingo Jr. He is The Wiz!!!

[@veronicamdissues]

Hi, Great review! Wanna know why the production values disappointed you so much? I knew it would be a disappointment as soon as It was announced a couple years ago as a TOURING PRODUCTION which would visit a BUNCH of cities before making a "stop" on Broadway. So by definition, a touring set MUST be designed to be packed into 2 or 3 18-wheelers in a single day, then travel a couple days, and be REASSEMBLED in the next city, lighting too, for the next city. So they MUST design a simple set, and lighting, to pull off the mechanics of a tour like this. Then they stop on BROADWAY with an "outta-town" set, and we are accustomed to the best state-of-the-art here. BIG MISTAKE for the producers, I think. Cuz when you take a CLASSIC like WIZ, and people would love a big BROADWAY redo with turntables and LEDs and every special effect..... you got it right on every bit of your review. It's just DISAPPOINTING!! And not Broadway-worthy.

[@rockybalboa4593]

IMO Deborah Cox should have been Eviline. The entire cast and show itself were incredible, but we just didn’t get to see Glinda enough to appreciate Deborah and her magnificent voice. Eviline is a larger role. She should have been Eviline IMO. The songs Deborah sang just didn’t showcase her talent and range enough. Eviline would have been a better role for her IMO. But I have to respectfully disagree with this reviewer. These were some of the most beautiful sets I’ve ever seen in a Broadway show. For me, there was some miscasting with the witches.

[@Tina-wx5hq]

I would ask the wiz for a high paying job of 50k or more a year with benefits 😆!!!! 💋