I saw the movie version of The Wiz with a cast starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson (in his feature film debut), Nipsey Russell, Ted Ross, Mabel King, Theresa Merritt, Thelma Carpenter, Lena Horne and Richard Pryor. Although the movie was a commercial failure, it became a cult classic years later.
Diane and I traveled to Sheas Performing Arts Center to see the touring version of The Wiz. As you can see from the photo above, it is flashy, colorful, and a bit kooky. The musical follows the L. Frank Baum novel, The Wizard of Oz, with Dorothy taken by a tornado to a world of witches, magic, and The Yellow Brick Road. Dorothy’s house squashes The Wicked Witch of the East, Evermean, and Dorothy is rewarded by The Good Witch of the North with silver slippers (with magical powers).
Dorothy want’s to return to Kansas, so The Good Witch tells her to go to the Emerald City and ask The Wizard of Oz for help. Along the journey, Dorothy meets a talking Scarecrow who wants a brain, a Tin Man who wants a heart, and a cowardly Lion who wants courage. They arrive at the Emerald City and speak with The Wiz who proclaims that he will only grant their wishes on the condition that they kill Evermean’s sister, Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West.
Most of you know how that turns out. I’m sure this touring company version is being boosted by the success of Wicked, Part One. If you’re a fan of The Wizard of Oz, this musical will take you over the rainbow! GRADE: B
MUSICAL NUMBERS:
| 1. | “Overture Part I” | 2:36 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2. | “Overture Part II” | 1:57 | ||
| 3. | “The Feeling That We Had” | 3:26 | ||
| 4. | “Can I Go On?” | Quincy Jones, Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson | 1:56 | |
| 5. | “Tornado / Glinda’s Theme” | 1:10 | ||
| 6. | “He’s the Wizard” | 4:09 | ||
| 7. | “Soon As I Get Home / Home” | 4:04 | ||
| 8. | “You Can’t Win“ | 3:14 | ||
| 9. | “Ease on Down the Road #1″ | 3:55 | ||
| 10. | “What Would I Do If I Could Feel?” | Luther Vandross | 2:18 | |
| 11. | “Slide Some Oil to Me” | 2:51 | ||
| 12. | “Ease on Down the Road #2” | 1:31 | ||
| 13. | “I’m a Mean Ole Lion” | 2:24 | ||
| 14. | “Ease on Down the Road #3” | 1:26 | ||
| 15. | “Poppy Girls Theme” | Anthony Jackson | 3:27 | |
| 16. | “Be a Lion” | 4:04 | ||
| 17. | “End of the Yellow Brick Road” | 1:01 | ||
| 18. | “Emerald City Sequence” | (music: Jones, lyrics: Smalls) | 6:44 | |
| 19. | “Is This What Feeling Gets? (Dorothy’s Theme)” | (music: Jones, lyrics: Ashford & Simpson) | 3:21 | |
| 20. | “Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News” | 3:03 | ||
| 21. | “Everybody Rejoice / A Brand New Day“ | Luther Vandross | 7:49 | |
| 22. | “Believe in Yourself (Dorothy)” | 2:55 | ||
| 23. | “The Good Witch Glinda” | 1:09 | ||
| 24. | “Believe in Yourself (Reprise)” | 2:15 | ||
| 25. | “Home (Finale)” | 4:03 |
Not a favorite. After all these years, the only song I remember is “Ease On Down the Road,” or, as I always thought Stephanie Mills sang it, “the Woad.”
As for the movie, Michael as the Scarecrow, OK, but Diana Ross as Dorothy? Uhuh. And who thought it was a good idea for Sidney Lumet to direct a musical?
Jeff, Sidney Lumet got blamed for THE WIZ movie’s commercial failure. Now, the movie has a cult following.
An abomination! If it doesn’t have Judy Garland, it’s the bunk!
Bob, I’m partial to Judy Garland’s performance in THE WIZARD OF OZ, too!