THE WIZ Previews — Page 5

Jordan Catalano said: "That act two opener was the most budget cruise line thing in the whole show, I thought."

I cringed my way through that, meanwhile the whole LA audience was eating it up. It really didn't do the cast any favors to get that kind of reaction from tour audiences. They probably thought they were doing great. It didn't give me cruise ship vibes, it felt more like some amateur drag night in a bar somewhere like Portland, Oregon.

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I can actually imagine a deconstructed Wiz fueled by a new concept - say, a Kansas church congregation in lockdown during a tornado warning that puts on the story with available props and pieces, transforming themselves and the situation. A smart director could carve something new from the material, finding an expression of solidarity in a frightened community (the film did this, albeit about NYC; rural might be refreshing). But why do a straight up concept-free fantasy with less visual elegance than a television special? From CBS Sunday morning's segment, it's clear this is bus and truck, and late 70s bus n' truck at that. You could see the sets quiver. Why do this show at all without a frame - a theatrical idea - of some kind? And you can't compete with Wicked up the street, so why not look for another palette entirely?

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MayAudraBlessYou2 said: "Ok, are the digital screen sets frustrating? Sure. I really dont get some of the designs in them because the perspective is all off. And do the minimal physical set pieces make it look like a cheap tour? Sure.

BUT. Y'all this cast is on FIRE. The main quartet is just pure magic, delivering some of the fiercest vocals on Broadway right now. I do wish the production itself was more lavish, but I had a ball and would buy tickets to see these actors again in a heartbeat. Nichelle Lewis is a star with an incredible command of her instrument. Sometimes all you need is a dynamite, engaging performer singing to the heavens. She really did it for me.

The really weak link is the choreo. There are moments that are divine (the Act 2 opener, Emerald City ball is an awesome showstopper) but then most of the time it just falls flat despite the ensemble dancers working their hardest (I mean...what on EARTH is the tornado sequence? Just a whole lot of NOTHING going on in that scene, it was bizarre). I think really strong choreography would have helped distract from the minimal production.

Still, the cast is A+. I'm still sitting here reliving the vocal performances I just heard because they were heavenly. And honestly want to go again just to experience that singing."

100%. The cast is exempt from my own criticisms. So much talent on that stage and I sincerely hope they all successful careers.

Intermission now. I’m having so much fun. Is it a mess ? Yes, but they need to fix the tornado and do it NOW. Turn up the beat during Ease on Down the Road.


more later

Ok so Act 2 was a hot mess. The audience thou was giving the actors 100 percent tonight. Brand New Day was a let down and the melting was a joke and came out of nowhere and needs to be rethought of (with the tornado) ASAP. They need to cut Wonder Why it just slows down the pacing and the audience was not having it.
Can they give Glinda an entrance thou or a new outfit for Act 2? We don’t need her coming out of a apartment building door. It looks silly. The dancing is also a hot mess.

How did Schele get this job directing this show? She sucked the life out of it. There is no journey.

Anyway have 5 drinks and go see it. The guy who plays the Tin Man is stunning and stole the whole show.

I was also there tonight. Ny friend and I both thought it was the worst show we’ve seen this season. As others already said, so cheap looking and lazy choreography. So many scenes are just bad! The melting scene was one of the worst moments I’ve ever seen on stage. Whoever thought that was how that should be staged? And wtf was the tornado? Four dancers in grey robe spinning around?

I saw the Encores production at City Center and loved it! Why couldn’t this have half the energy of that one?


Yeah the vocals of the leads killed it but everything else was terrible. Yet somehow much of the audience seemed to be having such a good time. (Other than some woman yelling randomly during act two. That was weird.) I don’t know if I’m just not the target audience for this.

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Updated On: 4/10/24 at 12:20 AM

I’m just happy we officially have Nichelle out on the boards and in the public eye now. I can’t wait to see where her career heads.

seaweedjstubbs said: "nativenewyorker2 said: "All I’ll say is the audience here is having 1000% more fun and has 1000% more energy than the audience I saw the immersive Cabaret with…and 1000% cheaper.


could be a case study in theater snobbery"

……or maybe they are two extremely different shows that invoke different responses in audiences? CABARET is a verydark musical, and from what I understand, this production amps that darkness up. I’d hope audiences aren’t having as much “fun” at CABARET as they are at THE WIZ! And what exactly constitutes “energy” from audiences these days? Is it just how much screaming there is during the show? If so, I’d say most Broadway audiences could use LESS energy. The screaming has gotten out of control. Especially when people scream so loud they make hearing the performers onstage impossible. Sometimes, it feels like audience members feel the need to show everyone around them how much they’re enjoying the show. It’s quite annoying and disingenuous, in my opinion."



BINGO!



Who wants "energy" from an audience? Who wants noise from a theatre crowd during a performance? How ridiculous!

A what acting Glinda?

Bottom line folks - it’s a crowd pleaser and is doing well and will continue to do so! It’s fun and uplifting. People love The Wiz. It’s a brand. And the cast is amazing. Not worried about it. At all.