[NEohioPAL] Review of THE WIZ touring production

[Neda Spears]

The wait for "The Wiz" is over, but it needs more time to “EASE” in

by Neda Spears

(Performance seen on October 10th, 2023)


As a Black performer growing up, I was always excited to see new works that
featured mostly, if not all, Black casts. Musicals like DREAMGIRLS, AIN’T
MISBEHAVIN, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND and THE COLOR PURPLE all had success in
their initial outings and have gone on to be revived on Broadway and
beyond. THE WIZ has been the exception up until now. The music was very
well known due to it having commercial airplay from the success of the
movie, but the show itself was seldom, if ever, done. My excitement at
hearing that a new iteration was being staged, which would have its
troublesome script updated,  was palpable.

The music of The Wiz is unmatched. Every one of the performers in this
production is impressive, and their range is on point. I admit that
sometimes the vocal riffs from each and every character seemed a bit much
when it happened on almost every song, but that did not necessarily take
away my enjoyment of hearing the singer. The problem, yet again, is the
script. Even with the additional dialogue, written in part by comedian and
writer Amber Ruffin (who has a sense of humor that, though not always
necessarily funny, always has a point of view), there was hardly anything
between scenes to set up the songs. Many of them are only separated by a
single line that introduces the next character as if to say, “we all know
the story; let’s just move on.” I was also dismayed to see that there was
no discernable set and only a few pieces to separate different scenes. A
production such as this with so much (supposed) money behind it I would
think would look a little more lavish. The staging of certain parts also
brought me up short, particularly the one introducing the Lion. His song,
“I’m a Mean Ol’ Lion” is meant to intimidate the other characters, but
instead seems more like a game of hide and seek. And Glinda’s entrances in
both the first and second act were woefully underwhelming. I audibly gasped
when I saw that the actor just walked out from backstage with no fanfare
whatsoever. A light change and/or smoke effect would have been sufficient.

I was more than happy to see this new interpretation of a show which should
be seen and enjoyed again. My hope is that as it moves its way across the
country, audiences and critics feedback will strengthen and uplift this
show so that by the time it gets to Broadway, it will be as close to a
flawless show as possible and that it will be a production that will be an
inspiration for Black performers-and all others- for years to come.

See this show if you can, and know that it IS good. I just wish it was WAY
better. Maybe I can click my silver heels together 3 times and hope.
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