By Lucy Komisar
William F. Brown’s rewrite of the classic “Wizard of Oz” screens the story through the lens of black culture. The best thing about that is the music is jazz, with a bit of R&B. (Music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls.) The old story is for kids. This one is for jazz lovers! “The Wiz” was first staged in 1975, and both Brown and Smalls have since died. But Schele Williams here makes his Broadway debut as a director, assuring long life for the old classic!
There are some adult riffs, with the plot brought up to sociological date. Dorothy (Nichelle Lewis, a little girl with a big voice) is an orphan unhappy in Kansas living with her Aunt Em (Melody A. Betts).
A tornado lifts her away. But this tornado is dancers with capes swirling and twisting in the stormy music. (Choreography by Jaquel Knight.) When Dorothy lands, it is in a place with New Orleans style music and dancers.
Glinda (Deborah Cox), the good witch is in glitzy gold and glitter. Her jazzy voice and dance movements are terrific. Love the scat.
Then we discover that in the forest, pies are turning people on, putting them under a drugged spell. It’s the Kalidah monsters!
Back to the story. The scarecrow (Avery Wilson, a charmer) asks for brains, but turns out he used to be scientist till the bad guys targeted him. Which leads to great jazzy R&B dancing crows in “You Can’t Win,” which is a show-stopper.
The Tinman (Phillip Johnson Richardson) does acrobat jumps New Orleans style. The witch took his heart.
We mosey down the yellow brick road which turns out to be – the road — dancers! (Brilliant turning bricks into dancers.)
Finally, the funny fat petulant cowardly Lion (Kyle Ramar Freeman) arrives and speaks in R&B!
Oh, and the druggy pink poppies dance. Did I mention that the sets are surreal?
The foursome plots to they kill wicked Evilline (Melody A. Betts). Maybe not so easy.
Evilline (with a guttural voice, she likes gospel) has put a curse on people in Oz. She declares, “I will lift the curse if you give me silver slippers.” Because they will save her from another curse. It’s about water. Not giving away the ending, a little more complicated than the original. But the good guys win. So does the audience.
Add more visual projections and some Afro Cuban music. Nearly 50 years since “The Wiz” was first staged, it’s now deservedly part of iconic American musical theater.
“The Wiz.” Book by William F. Brown, Music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls, directed by Schele Williams, choreography by Jaquel Knight. Marquis Theatre, 210 West 46th Street, NYC. (Entrance through the Marquis Hotel.) Runtime 2hrs30min. Opened April 17, 2024, closes Aug 18, 2024.