Dana Cimone as Dorothy, Cal Mitchell as The Lion, Elijah Ahmad Lewis as The Scarecrow, and D. Jerome as The Tinman in the North American Tour of The Wiz. Photo by Jeremy Daniel.
Ease on down the road—to Grand Avenue, actually. I wasn’t a kid that came from much culture and now in my fifth decade I am getting to experience what I hope more people of all ages can. Art in so many forms shape the landscape of our lives and live art performances have really made me feel pretty happy in a very rough year personally. I walked inside the Fox to the smell of popcorn, hearing people laughing and seeing hugs and smiles before witnessing truly elite artistry.
The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical “Wonderful Wizard of Oz” was released in 1974 and featured music by Luther Vandross; the 1975 Broadway production won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. It was an early example of Broadway’s mainstream acceptance of works with an all-Black cast. The Wiz film was released in 1978 and absolute legends filled the roles: Diana Ross as Dorothy, Nipsey Russell as the Tinman, Mabel King as Evillene the Wicked Witch of the West, Richard Pryor as The Wiz, and—ahhh yes—the greatest entertainer of my lifetime, Michael Jackson, as the Scarecrow. Countless names of high talent have eased on down this road since, with everyone from CeCe Peniston, Stephanie Mills, Peabo Bryson, Ashanti and Grace Jones in various roles. What absolute magic to have spun the classic L. Frank Baum novel The Wizard of Oz into something even more delightful. A tale that gives hope and encourages you to believe in something and in someone. To forgo fear and challenges. To have unshakeable faith in a goal even when you keep getting knocked down. For people of color this isn’t even a single brick down the road. The struggle for racial equality has been a fight of generations seeking just to live as equals and this has never been without immense struggle.
Seeing the live performance, I know that we’ll look back on this run as these entertainers brought the house down. Dana Cimone starred as Dorothy and was an absolute delight. So speaks so meekly and remains a little voice until she keeps believing in herself, but when she sang it was absolutely electric. Her Aunt Em (Kyla Jade) commanded her presence with an angelic voice just reverberating throughout the packed theater. Her Yellow Brick Road family also crushed it. Scarecrow (Elijah Ahmad Lewis) was hands down both humorous and so animated that you couldn’t take your eyes off him in any scene he was present for. Tinman (D. Jerome) was so suave and had swagger for days as soon as his rusty parts met some WD-40. And oh, the Lion (Cal Mitchell) was just a shy old feline trying hard to keep his pride while searching for family.
The villains were plenty. Evillene (also played by Kyla Jade), the crows, the poppies, the kalidahs all trying to block their progress which slowed them but couldn’t stop their determination to get to Oz. And what’s a musical without songs?! “He’s the Wiz,” “Be a Lion,” “We’re Gonna Make It,” “Home,” and of course “Ease on Down the Road.” The harmonies throughout really had me believing in their story; my heart warm and festive and realizing if they have the essence to “Believe in Yourself” as a motto I could too.
Alan Mingo Jr. was the almighty Wiz who assured them they had what they sought inside of them and, despite mockery from the townspeople, their bond was stronger than anything negative said or thought of them. The standing ovation was a truly beautiful moment. The cast and crew that brought The Wiz, tonight and throughout their easing down many a road—they connected. They resonated, inspired, uplifted. They added humor and timely relevance such as the housing crisis and the economy. This production left us where they found us. Home. And so very fortunately so. It’s a MUST to see this live. HURRY! | Diane Ruff
The Wiz runs now through December 7 at the Fabulous Fox Theatre (527 N. Grand Blvd.). For more information or to purchase tickets, visit fabulousfox.com.
