THE WIZ, currently wrapping up its pre-Broadway tour at the Pantages in Hollywood, is now approaching 50 years old. Sadly, time has not been kind to this retelling of “The Wizard of OZ.” especially when compared to the uber-successful “Wicked.”
Despite having a few strongly effective numbers, especially Melody A. Betts as Evillene (AKA the Wicked Witch of the West) ripping into “Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News” and Glinda’s (Deborah Cox) stirring rendition of “Believe in Yourself.”” The rest of the score at times feels locked into the 70’s both musically and lyrically while at other times it slips into amorphous soft R&B without any real logic and with incredibly sophomoric lyrics. The set design by Hannah Beachler was salvaged only by Daniel Brodie’s amazingly beautiful projections. This technology also produced the truly wonderful effect of the initial scene. Set in Kansas, the scene appears to be in black and white while the Oz scenes were in vibrant shades of every color in the rainbow.
What makes the show even more disappointing is that there’s a lot of talent on the stage. Dorothy is played by Nichelle Lewis. She hits the right blend of fear, anxiety, and awe in her early scenes in Oz which give way to a more assured and braver Dorothy in later scenes. She is blessed with a wonderful voice but some of her lyrics do get lost amidst displays of vocal strength and trickery. Deborah Cox, in the very undeveloped part of Glinda, delivers a strong ‘eleven o’clock’ number with her rendition of “Believe in Yourself.” At the performance I attended, Wayne Brady’s title role was played by Alan Mingo, Jr. Not even making an appearance until the second act, the Wiz is a severely underwritten role. But Mr. Mingo did make the most out of his one big number “Meet the Wizard.” Avery Wilson, Phillip Johnson Richardson and Kyle Ramar Freeman as the Scarecrow, Tinman and Lion all have fun with their respective roles. But it is Melody A. Betts, in the dual roles of Auntie Em and Evillene, who walks away with every scene she is in. Her heartfelt rendition of Aunt Em’s “The Feeling We Once Had” provided a warm glow to the first scene of the show while her raucous “…No Bad News” gave the second act a much needed shot of energy.
If only Schele Williams’ direction and Jaquel Knight’s choreography had taken one tone and ran with it. Instead, the staging drifts from Slapstick to camp to serious family drama before lurching into Alvin Ailey style choreography followed by a too long Vogue-inspired number, etc. Stylistically it is everywhere which leaves the show and the audience nowhere..
THE WIZ is playing at the Pantages in Hollywood now through March 3, 2024. For tickets or more information go to: www.BroadwayinHollywood.com