I'd never seen the 1979 film The Wiz, thinking nothing could hold a candle to the 1939 classic. After all, since I didn't live through the '70s, I wasn't exactly eager to sit through a bunch of '70s songs. But, since I always like to watch the live post-Thanksgiving shows on television, I decided to check out The Wiz Live! Nothing with Queen Latifah could be bad, right?
Right! I was a little unprepared for Dorothy to be such a knockout, since I was used to the Judy Garland version. But once Shanice Williams took over, I forgot all about Judy. Cute as a button, great figure, powerful voice, and a fine dancer; I certainly hope she'll have a booming career ahead of her. The songs do sound '70s, but with Shanice performing them, it didn't take long to charm me into loving the musical.
The production values and special effects are mind-blowing. During the tornado, the house and Dorothy actually fly up in the air and spin around the stage! The sets are gorgeous, and the makeup and costumes are very detail-oriented. My hat is off to choreographer Fatima Robinson, who created entertaining, charming, and fitting dance numbers that continued to wow me throughout the show. The crows in "You Can't Win" made me believe they really had wings, the munchkins were cheerful and bubbly, the dancers pulled out all the stops in "A Brand New Day." In addition to Dorothy being cute as a button, her three supporting pals were also fantastic. Ne-Yo constantly used robotic movements as the Tin-Man, Elijah Kelley's bone-less Scarecrow movements were flawless, and David Alan Grier was a far cuter lion than Bert Lahr in 1939. Mary J. Blige, Uzo Abuda, and Amber Riley look like they're having a blast as the three remaining witches in Oz, each giving a show-stopping musical number when they're introduced. In an interesting casting choice, Queen Latifah plays the usual male role of the Wiz. She gets two songs, and during her entrance, she looks magnificent in her green get-up!
Usually, during a live performance there are some flaws. This performance of The Wiz is flawless. I couldn't believe I wasn't watching a real movie. Full of little touches, like using Stephanie Mills (the original Dorothy on Broadway) as Auntie Em, and a brand-new libretto from Harvey Fierstein that's modern and hilarious, every scene of this musical is entertaining. The intense high energy from everyone in the cast makes you feel like you're watching something really special - which you are! Next Thanksgiving, if you don't care to see the featured live production, ease on down the road and rent The Wiz Live! instead.
Right! I was a little unprepared for Dorothy to be such a knockout, since I was used to the Judy Garland version. But once Shanice Williams took over, I forgot all about Judy. Cute as a button, great figure, powerful voice, and a fine dancer; I certainly hope she'll have a booming career ahead of her. The songs do sound '70s, but with Shanice performing them, it didn't take long to charm me into loving the musical.
The production values and special effects are mind-blowing. During the tornado, the house and Dorothy actually fly up in the air and spin around the stage! The sets are gorgeous, and the makeup and costumes are very detail-oriented. My hat is off to choreographer Fatima Robinson, who created entertaining, charming, and fitting dance numbers that continued to wow me throughout the show. The crows in "You Can't Win" made me believe they really had wings, the munchkins were cheerful and bubbly, the dancers pulled out all the stops in "A Brand New Day." In addition to Dorothy being cute as a button, her three supporting pals were also fantastic. Ne-Yo constantly used robotic movements as the Tin-Man, Elijah Kelley's bone-less Scarecrow movements were flawless, and David Alan Grier was a far cuter lion than Bert Lahr in 1939. Mary J. Blige, Uzo Abuda, and Amber Riley look like they're having a blast as the three remaining witches in Oz, each giving a show-stopping musical number when they're introduced. In an interesting casting choice, Queen Latifah plays the usual male role of the Wiz. She gets two songs, and during her entrance, she looks magnificent in her green get-up!
Usually, during a live performance there are some flaws. This performance of The Wiz is flawless. I couldn't believe I wasn't watching a real movie. Full of little touches, like using Stephanie Mills (the original Dorothy on Broadway) as Auntie Em, and a brand-new libretto from Harvey Fierstein that's modern and hilarious, every scene of this musical is entertaining. The intense high energy from everyone in the cast makes you feel like you're watching something really special - which you are! Next Thanksgiving, if you don't care to see the featured live production, ease on down the road and rent The Wiz Live! instead.