Mini Review - The Wiz, LJPH on 10/29/06
Mini Review - The Wiz, LJPH on 10/29/06
Mini Review - The Wiz, LJPH on 10/29/06#0
Posted: 10/29/06 at 8:28pm
I have to say that I loved the Wiz at the La Jolla Playhouse - a very inventive and imaginative production. Des McAnuff pulls out all the stops with the staging – actors fly in, sets spin, video is used, elevators raise and lower, sets assemble and reassemble before your eyes, lots of sound effects. It’s a very technical show – probably the most that I’ve seen at The Playhouse. All of this technology, and the main scaffold like set design, does give a colder feel to the proceedings, but the actors really add the energy and warmth necessary to make this a memorable time. I have to say that the cast is terrific; everyone is well cast and does an excellent job.
I can’t say enough good about the cast. Nikki M. James, Tutuss Burgess, David Alan Grier, Rashad Naylor, Michael Benjamin Washington, Heather Lee, E. Faye Butler, and Valarie Pettiford in the major roles, all have their moments to shine. I, also, liked Albert Blasie Cattafi who played Toto in Oz. I know there were many who thought this was a bad idea, but it really worked for me. Mr. Cattafi plays Toto with such energy and winning innocence, it’s hard not to love him. The cast is very balanced and seems to have really hit a groove. Not a bad, or even mediocre, performance on the stage.
My only quibble was the choreography could be punched up a bit. Part of the problem was the limited size of the stage, but more could definitely be done with the tornado sequence and Everybody Rejoice/Brand New Day. The cast seemed more than capable. I really wanted to see some cut loose dancing at this point.
(Rating: 3 1/2 stars overall.)
Updated On: 10/29/06 at 08:28 PM
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