Goodness me, it is so easy to forget just how tiny Mills is. Yes, the original production played at the Majestic.
As far as dreads on the Lion, I don't think "dreads on the. Lion" are where anyone's concerns rest. And yes, they have freely hinted at making significant changes to the libretto. Es, oz is a fantasy realm, but the score transcends Oz.. It also includes Kansas... And fantasy only works when you establish rules for the fantasy world to abide by, otherwise it is a free for all.
Yes, Fatima has an impressive resume. No one is challenging that or contradicting. No one is saying that she will be terrible. All anyone is saying is that no one harps seen her choreograph a book musical and no one has seen her work here, so it is an open ended question as to what her work will be.
Again, from the ground up, THE WIZ was conceived to reflect 1975 urban black culture. You can not change that without SIGNIFICANTLY altering the entire fabric of the piece.