With a spectacular cast, ‘The Wiz’ wows at the Academy of Music
L. Frank Baum’s original story gets some inventive tweaks, complete with moves by Beyoncé’s 'Single Ladies' choreographer.
Perfectly sandwiched between the premieres of Wicked Part 1 and Wicked Part 2 in movie theaters comes a glorious, high-energy revival of The Wiz, now playing at the Academy of Music.
William F. Brown and Charlie Small’s adaptation of The Wizard of Oz premiered on Broadway in 1975. But before that, it had its Broadway tryout right here in Philly at the Forrest Theatre. The musical now returns home for the first time in 40 years, bringing an updated production that mingles spectacle, culture, and whimsy to wow modern audiences.
The Wiz follows the arc of L. Frank Baum’s original story with inventive tweaks.
We meet Dorothy Gale, a teenage girl fighting loneliness and struggling to find belonging in dull, black-and-white Kansas where she lives with her Aunt Em. When a tornado sweeps through their town, Dorothy is whisked away and lands in the technicolor, New Orleans-style world of Oz.
She sets off to the Emerald City to ask the all-powerful Wizard (a charming Alan Mingo Jr.) for help to return home, and along the way she gains fellow travelers, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Lion.
As they journey down the yellow brick road, the Wicked Witch of the West (named Evillene here) besieges them with tricks and creatures to thwart their progress and steal back her sister’s magical silver slippers — given to Dorothy by Glinda after her house landed on the Wicked Witch of the East.
Unified by director Schele Williams, the cast is collectively spectacular, with each principal offering standout performances when they’re in the spotlight. Dana Cimone powerfully leads the Ozian quartet as Dorothy. She brings a nasal, childlike quality to Dorothy’s voice, but she has a broad, soulful range that she accesses to great effect.
Elijah Ahmad Lewis and Cal Mitchell as the Scarecrow and the Lion both have sharp comedic physicality and timing that is effortless and ebullient, while D. Jerome’s Tinman grounds the group with smooth dance moves and an especially touching rendition of “What Would I Do If I could Feel.”
Kyla Jade, who doubles as Aunt Em and Evillene, dazzles in both roles, though her Evillene is particularly bold and rich. Her growls and high-octave climbs in “Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News” drew rapturous applause at the opening night performance.
The refreshes to the material blend in seamlessly and elevate the musical to new heights. Comedian and television host Amber Ruffin contributed new jokes and dialogue to the book, appealing to modern sensibilities while remaining in step with the vibe of the original.
The design team is star-studded with Academy-, Emmy-, and Barrymore-winning artists who harmonize to create a visual and sonic landscape that explodes from the stage.
JaQuel Knight, the choreographer of Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” music video, combines traditional jazz and ballet with modern styles like hip-hop, making the disparate movement genres feel like one language.
The dancing pairs especially well with the costuming. Sharen Davis opts for a playful fusion of corseting, abundant textures, and flowing, layered fabrics to accentuate the high drama and grandiosity of Oz; Glinda’s final dress, complete with a mirror ball top, is astonishing.
Video and projection design by Daniel Brodie lends depth and dynamic movement to Hannah Beachler’s vibrant set pieces. Together with the unforgettable music, The Wiz is a treat for the eyes and the ears.
The revival is pared down from the original, removing plot points and characters to achieve a streamlined version that makes way for longer dance breaks and movement vignettes. (Sorry, no Toto here.) It’s still a full evening of theater, but the cuts do mean less time with these characters who are too fun to lose even a minute with them.
You could ease on down the road to the Academy of Music to get your tickets, but I would sprint instead. We all could use the feeling of a brand new day.
The Wiz
(Community/Arts)
L. Frank Baum’s original story is refreshed with some inventive tweaks. Watch it for excellent performances, inventive costumes, and some stellar choreography by JaQuel Knight, the choreographer of Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” music video.
⌚️ Through June 15,📍 240 S Broad St 🌐 ensembleartsphilly.org
Theater reviews are produced independently by The Inquirer without editorial input by their sponsor, Visit Philadelphia.
The article has been updated to correct the name of the actor who plays Dorothy. It’s Dana Cimone.