Based on L. Frank Baum's children's book, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz", The Wiz takes one of the world's most enduring (and enduringly white) American fantasies, and transforms it into an all-Black musical extravaganza for the ages. Featuring a book by William F. Brown and a Tony Award-winning score by Charlie Smalls (and others), this entirely reimagined revival is directed by Schele Williams, choreographed by Jaquel Knight, additional material by Amber Ruffin, and music supervision, orchestrations, and music arrangements by Joseph Joubert.
Under Schele Williams’ direction, the story is perfunctory, just a series of disconnected scenes. Moment by moment there is little character reality to play: Dorothy’s need to get home is never felt, and there’s no urgency in her journey. Songs and dances don’t arise naturally from the action, just one big variety show. I lost count of the number of songs that shoot up to a high note designed (successfully) to elicit spontaneous applause. Of the cast, Richardson comes off best because he’s allowed most of the time to speak like a normal person. Betts is a warm, nurturing Aunt Em anyone would click their heels to come home to, but with everyone shouting like crazy, her Evillene never becomes scary. She’s just one more yeller.
The closest the revival gets is during Dorothy’s big journey back to Kansas as she sings “Home.” There, thankfully, the focus stays on the performance: The backdrop shifts to a black sky punctuated by stars, and Williams has Lewis illuminated by a spotlight belting her heart out from center stage. I felt my heart rising as Lewis sang, but even then the spell was incomplete. The Wiz’s sound design, which had been glitchy for much of the show, was askew, at least from my vantage point, and Lewis struggled to make herself heard above the orchestra. The effect was, as with so much of the revival, of missing out on a moment that could have been great, if only given more care and fine tuning.
General Rush
Price: $45
Where: Marquis Theatre box office (210 W 46th St)
When: Beginning at 10 AM ET on the day of the performance.
Limit: Two per customer.
Information: Subject to daily availability. Seat locations for this program vary and may be available in all sections of the theatre. Locations are determined each by the show’s management and assigned at the discretion of the Box Office at time of purchase.
Digital Lottery:
Price: $45
Where: https://lottery.broadwaydirect.com/show/the-wiz-ny/.
When: Winners are drawn the same day at 3 PM ET and will have one hour to pay for their tickets online.
Limit: Two per customer
Information: Lottery seats may be partial view.
1975 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
1976 | US Tour |
1st National Tour US Tour |
1978 | US Tour |
2nd National Tour US Tour |
1980 |
Regional Revival |
|
1984 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
1984 | West End |
London Revival West End |
1993 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway Revival Off-Broadway |
1997 | US Tour |
Touring Revival US Tour |
2006 | San Diego, CA (Regional) |
La Jolla Revival San Diego, CA (Regional) |
2015 | New York |
NBC Live Television Production New York |
2018 | St. Louis, MO (Regional) |
Muny Revival St. Louis, MO (Regional) |
2023 | US Tour |
US Tour US Tour |
2024 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Production Broadway |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2024 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance | Nichelle Lewis |
2024 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Musical | The Wiz |
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