THE WIZ: 1984 Revival

[Unmasked05]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 1:10pm

Was there a cast recording made of this revival? I've always been fascinated by this revival of The Wiz because it's so BIG and colorful but it didn't run long and I know it didn't recieve glowing reviews but it just looks so fun !!!!

did anyone see it?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 1:30pm

Nope. For all the obvious reasons, a cast recording was not made of this revival. It just ran a few days, literally.

At 7 preview performances and 13 regular performances, the show only played 20 performances total at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.


The 1984 Broadway revival's logo:

[Unmasked05]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 1:32pm

WOW !!!!!

why was this? From pics that I've seen it looks like a pretty good production, what happened?

[sondhead]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 2:54pm

I don't think Broadway was that interested in seeing it again when it had just recently played. Not only that, but it was a tour that ended its run on Broadway and it starred Stephanie Mills who had already played the role and recorded it.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 5:50pm

where are these pictures?

[purpleprince101]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 5:54pm

curious also....

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 5:55pm

First of all, it was based on the Bus and Truck tour. It was entirely in Holder's hands, with none of the "hang ups" over the original director of the 1975 production. Consequently, some of the charm of the original, like the Art Nouevau (sp?) Emerald City was lost, and a pretty awesome tornado was gained.

As many have said, it ended up being more campy, and a little sloppier than the original. The original hadn't been gone that long, and it just was not time for a revival.

For photos check out:

The Wiz Website

[TapTapTapioca]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 5:56pm

But there must have been something bigger for it to be THAT big of a flop.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 6:01pm

Thanks for the link, husk. It's a shame there are no pictures of the Tornado Ballet, though. I would love to see that.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 6:15pm

WW-
I have a feeling they don't exist, because it would've been soooo darkly lit, that it might not have shown up.

[juice23]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 6:17pm

yeah, i've always wondered how the effect was done. I love this show... I think the music is great and fun. Seeing those pictures really gave me a better idea of the original production, as the CD has very few.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 6:18pm

You have a point. Still, great to see those pictures. Again, thanks for the link.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 6:21pm

I like watching the reviews on the website for the 84 Revival...they're amusing.

I will say this, looking at those pictures, how anyone can argue that multi-racial casting works for this show, is beyond me.