Run and Tell That: The Wiz Live!

Hello Dearies! Since I have all this free time on my snow day I figured what better to do then write out my "The Wiz Live" Review! LET'S GO!!! Overall The Wiz Live! was a huge improvement compared to the last two blunders of a musical NBC produced. The whole stage feel of the show worked to a huge advantage of the production. I no longer felt bordered off by the cameras (Even if I saw a few of them during the show) I felt connected with the story. NBC finally got the right creative team from the amazing director Kenny Leon who was the perfect choice for this years production. (I am so happy he is returning for Hairspray Live!) Leon not only has Broadway credits to his name, but he also has screen credits to his name. Leon knew how to attack this using stage tactics, but he also knew how to make sure those stage tactics fit with the cameras as well. That was an element that lacked profusely in the previous two productions. Since Leon knew how to merge the two elements into one I felt like I was watching another production on stage. In theatre a director is nothing without his/her choreographer (Unless the director is also the choreographer, but that's another story for another time.) I'm sure this production would have lacked severely without the breath taking and mesmerizing choreography by the amazing Fatima Robinson. Robinson put a fresh new twist on The Wiz with her brand new choreography. (I personally hope that she wins an Emmy for her choreography.) Robinson had such diverse choreography in each number. She created this geeky, childish, groovy breakdance for "He's The Wiz." Then we have the synchronized coal mining for "No Bad News" and the vouging, mechanicalness of "The Emerald City Sequence"

The stand out of dance of the night was those sexy, fierce, booty pooping, head turning, legs for days, (I am running out of adjectives) poppies. The choreography by the amazing Miss Robinson was absolutely breath taking and mesmerizing. When this production transfers to Broadway I definitely see a Tony Award nod in her future. Robinson has proved that she will be a force to be reckoned with on the Great White Way. Robinson, brought a fresh, new, vibrant look with her choreography, but Paul Tazewell brought it with his costume designs. The costumes for The Wiz Live were colorful and mysterious. They flattered each of their actors (Except for Dorothy's, but we'll talk about that later.) Tazewell managed to give every character a new, modern, imaginative twist. Tazewell went back to the roots of African American culture of the 70's (When The Wiz first opened on Broadway) while also making the looks edgy and modern. Working in tandem with Tazewell was Derek McLane (Who also designed the sets for Peter Pan Live! and The Sound of Music Live!) who designed all of those gorgeous sets for this outstanding production. The combination of LED screens (Which I'm normally not a fan of, but for The Wiz they worked) and the physical sets that really made the world of Oz pop. I also need to give a shout out to Allen Branton who was the lighting designer for The Wiz he did an amazing job complementing the sets and costumes while suiting the overall tune of the show (I don't know much of lighting design so I can't comment that much on this) The only member of the design team that lacked was Cirque du Soleil. I thought the twister sequence was very, very underwhelming. I can go on a stage and swirl sticks with cloth wrapped around them even a third grader could do that. Can we at least see Dorothy inside the house which is visibly shaking? It would have been far more visually appealing and a lot cooler, plus far more torndadoey (Yay! I made up a word.) I also felt that the Winged Warriors sequence could have been a lot more terrifying. But never the less it was still an amazing production led by an amazing cast. The amazing and beautiful Stephanie Mills was absolutely flawless as Aunt Em. I felt her motherly love and presence from the first glimpse of her. You just felt the love and because Miss Mills was the original Dorothy in The Wiz she knew what Dorothy was experiencing so she knows how to react to that. You could also tell that Aunt Em just wanted the best for Dorothy. Oh my god don't even get me started on her amazing pipes and at the age of 58, sweet lord, and she is so tiny compared to the rest of the cast. Her chemistry with Shanice was absolutely beautiful as well. We then have the fierce belter Amber Riley as Addaperle. I never even thought of her for a role and I kick myself everyday because of that. Riley made a hilarious and charming Addaperle with again killer pipes.

Even though no one can compare to the jazzy vocals of Thelma Carpenter. I did not think of Carpenter at all through her song. Her costume also suited her physique and she wasn't squeezed into some skin tight costume. Riley put a nice sassy twist onto the role and brought here all to this performance. While in Oz Dorothy meets a trio of new friends while on her way to the Emerald City. The first member of Dorothy's quartet is The Scarecrow played by the incredibley talented Elijah Kelly. Kelly did a great job, but I felt like I was just watching a carbon copy of Michael Jackson's performance and while he was an amazing dancer nothing differed from Jackson's portrayal. Jackson's performance was amazing and it will be hard to break that mold that he set, but Kelly didn't even try to seperate his Scarecrow from Jackson's. Another thing that bothered me was when scarecrow and Dorothy first meet the Tin Man, Scarecrow seemed like he needed a heart more then the Tin Man needed one. Speaking of the Tin Man. Ne-Yo gave the SURPRISE PERFORMANCE OF THE NIGHT!!!!!!! I never saw this coming! My jaw was dropped throught his soulful rendition of "Slide Some Oil To Me" I never knew he had that in him. Not to mention how effortless he made the choreography for that number look. Ne-Yo would gain a definite Tony nod when this show comes to Broadway and who knows maybe he'd even win the Tony. He sure as hell has a shot. His rendition of "To Be Able To Feel" was so heartfelt and emotional. To sum up his performance in one word "OUTSTANDING!!!!" Ne- Yo had surpassed all of my expectations for him. The final member of Dorothy's quartet is The Cowardly Lion perfectly portrayed by David Allen Grier. Only one word suits his performance perfection.

(From Left to Right)
Common, Mary J. Blige, Queen Latifah, Amber Riley, Stephanie Mills, Scooter, 
Ne-Yo, Shanice Williams, Uzo Aduba, Elijah Kelley, David Allen Grier

He was perfectly casted in this role. He was so funny and charming. Every line was delivered perfectly. His rendition of "Be a Lion" was so charming and he had a great set of pipes. Grier was definitely a highlight of the night. And even more kudos to him for dealing with all that fur all night. They four friends set out to meet the all seeing, all powerful, Wizard of Oz played by the amazing Queen Latifah. Latifah can do no wrong! It is like she has been doing musical theatre since she popped out of the womb. Her gender-bending Wiz was funny, threatening, fierce, scary sweet and, touching all at the same time. Latifah always sets the bar with every single performance she does. From her performance as Mama Morton in Chicago to Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray she always manages to raise people to their feet in an uproar of applause. Rounding out the cast as the deliciously evil Wicked Witch of the West Evillene was Mary J. Blige. Blige managed to question everything I ever knew about acting. Can over acting really be pulled off? Blige some how does just that. Her entrance with that wicked carriage was so hilarious and yet so subtle as well. The only thing that was bad with her performance did not have anything to do with her. "No Bad News" was just a little too low for her in my opinion and she still managed to pull of that song. have to give her props again for pulling off over acting I never thought it could be done. She worked that costume with every sassy bone in her body. And when she pulled out the switch blade I was done. I could not stop laughing. Meanwhile compared to the rest of the cast Uzo Aduba as Glinda seemed to lack that gracefulness. I am happy we don't have those weird black babies surrounding Glinda anymore that was just weird and Uzo looked absolutely beautiful in that glittery gold dress. However Aduba should stick to Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren. Her performance was not on par with the others. Her song "Believe In Yourself" just did not suit her voice (I would have much preferred to see Miss Stephanie Mills double team as Aunt Em and Glinda to hear Mills cover this beautiful song with her beautiful voice.) I love Aduba, but this was not her finest performance. Also whatever happened to the blonde wig she was wearing in the promos? The first question I had as soon as The Wiz Live was announced was "Who is gonna be Dorothy?" (My original thoughts were Keke Palmer, Raven Symone, Zendaya or Brandi) However I was so happy (As well as everyone else in the world) to have heard that NBC would hold a nationwide casting search for the role of Dorothy. Enter Miss Shanice Williams stage left. Miss Williams (Born and raised in New Jersey, where I'm from) was the absolute perfect choice

to portray the role of Dorothy. She is beautiful, talented, graceful and a phenominal singer. There was just one problem with her performance. She has done musical theatre all her life and she is so use to connecting with an audience and she had no audience to connect to and when it came to her two solos "Soon As I Get Home" and "Home" while they were both great they seemed to lack because she didn't have an audience to connect with. I am not finding fault with her at all she did her absolute best but I just have to reiterate once again that it was because she's so used to connecting with an audience and I also think she was very nervous. No one can blame her for being nervous. Anyone would be nervous. I'm no longer dwelling on the bad. Okay now lets get to her good parts. Williams was an absolute knock out. She has enough star power to light up a Broadway theatre and I can't wait to see her bring this role to Broadway. Her performance just got better as the night progressed. The part with Dorothy's "Mom" in the forest was heartbreaking and a great addition to the story. Williams made a Dorothy for the 21st century. I do have to say though her costume was not flattering at all and I would have preferred if she wore that beautiful blue dress instead, but that was not of her control. The only other thing that bugged me was when she sang "Home" I would have preferred if it was just a single spotlight on Dorothy and not all that fancy nighttime stuff in the background that was just a distraction. (Again this is not something of her control.) Williams was perfect for this role and no one else deserved this role more than her. Williams is going to be a promising Broadway star and I am already picturing her in a multitude of roles and she definitely has a bright future ahead of her. This was an A+ production and while I'm not excited for Hairspray Live! next year it will be one hell of a show. I think when this show comes to Broadway it will be one jaw dropping, hilarious, belt heavy show with power house vocals. Miss Williams will be back on familiar territory and will be Tony Award material. NBC took a one giant leap forward with their live productions and are now starting a trend. Fox is now getting into the business with Grease Live! with Aaron Tveit, Julianne Hough and Vanessa Hudgens on January 31st, Fox is also doing a remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Laverne Cox as Frank-N-Furter and while it is not a live broadcast it should be interesting and then we have ABC remaking Dirty Dancing, again not live, with Abigal Breslin and Debra Messing. Even London got in on the act and produced their own version of The Sound of Music Live! on December 20th, 2015. I am so excited to see what the future of musicals presented live on tv will be like.

****BONUS***** When The Wiz comes to Broadway if this cast comes with them these are my predictions for the Tony Award nominations.

Best Revival of a Musical

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical- Shanice Williams as Dorothy

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical- Ne-Yo as Tin Man

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical- David Allen Grier as Cowardly Lion

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical- Amber Riley as Addaperle

Best Scenic Design of a Musical- Derek McLane

Best Costume Design of a Musical- Paul Tazewell

Best Lighting Design of a Musical- Allen Branton

Best Direction of a Musical- Kenny Leon

Best Choreography- Fatima Robinson