Kad said: "Aside from the industrial look for Evilene's lair, I'm not entirely sure how the set or costume designs for Oz are anything different one would find for The Wizard of Oz. They seem to me devoid of any of the qualities that set The Wiz, as an adaptation, apart. "
I agree with this. It really does not have anything that sets it apart - - - and the original production did. Geoffrey Holder and his design team were geniuses. Just look at what they did with the Yellow Brick Road!
Phyllis Rogers Stone said: "Will you ask your friends if Shanice is still taking a breath after every other word in Home?
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LOL
The thing is, besides being an utter toad of a human being, Riedel usually has the least knowledge of the topic in the room. He doesn't usually understand the content or approach of a show, and is always completely and unfailingly socially ignorant, which makes it really infuriating when Susan can't get a word in edgewise. A definitive mansplainer; it's always painful when he has female guests. I watch the show sporadically when I really want to see a guest, because it's the only theatre talkshow we have, but it would be so much better without this hateful clown in a dadcoat. (thanks ScaryWarhol)
Scarywarhol said: "Kad, that's what has confused me too. How is this not just The Wizard of Oz? Is there any contemporary black art influence on the look at all?"
They took care of that by making the lion's mane out of dredlocks. [ Insert eye roll here ]
I suppose the score is what will then define it- but the score as I am familiar with it just doesn't jibe with these designs which, for the most part, look like they'd be at home in Wicked or Webber's recent Wizard of Oz tour. The Art Deco detailing of the Emerald City pieces seems inspired by the film's take on the locale (and is a fairly tired take on the Emerald City as a whole- why would this contemporary Dorothy go to an Art Deco city?)
This smacks of a "but not TOO black!" approach.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
I'm not sure I'm on board with the proscenium set up this year. There was something special about going down the abbey corridor (in SoM) or through the Darling's window (in PP) that won't be present this year with a stage-like setting.
"I'm not sure I'm on board with the proscenium set up this year. There was something special about going down the abbey corridor (in SoM) or through the Darling's window (in PP) that won't be present this year with a stage-like setting."
Don't they eventually want to move this production to Broadway? If so, that's probably why. The more I hear about this production, the less I want to see it. I'll DVR it and maybe watch it at some point.
SNAFU said: "I will miss not having the yellow Brick Road as dancers in Yellow tails sporting yellow Afos and wlaking sticks!"
I know. I feel the same way as well. It was little touches like that that really made THE WIZ special. I saw the 1984 revival and it was so great when they sang "Ease On Down The Road" and the yellow brick road dancers would break into dancing and formations, bobbing and weaving leading Dorothy, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion and Scarecrow along their journey. It was just so clever and funky....now it's just homogenized and distilled and an actual brick road.
I was looking through my channel guide and it said that it starts at 8pm and it finishes at 10:45. I thought it ended at 11pm? These live musicals usually finish at 11
It is a live performance. They are giving time in case things are slow. SNL will cut sketches at the 11th hour if the broadcast goes long. I am sure NBC has filler for that 15 minutes in case it ends early. Interviews, behind the scenes, etc.
Those Blocked: SueStorm. N2N Nate. Good riddence to stupid! Rad-Z, shill begone!
SNAFU -- I would agree with you except in that approach messes up DVR schedule programming, so I highly doubt it. The last two broadcasts were scheduled 8:00pm to 11:00pm with the actual production ending at approximately 10:50pm, followed by a brief commercial break and then a "behind-the-scenes" montage with title credits for approximately five to six minutes. This broadcast, on the other hand, is scheduled to end at 10:45pm with local news starting immediately thereafter at 10:45pm. Perhaps it's slightly shorter this year.... That's always possible.
The day we have all been waiting for is finally here, but whatever happens I hope that Shanice will come out to have a career she deserves.
Personally I am one of those that I am not excited by this years selection, and hopefully NBC will put flying fairies and witches aside for next years broadcast. That being said, I am curious to see whether Fierstein ingredients to mix The Wiz with The Wizard of OZ will work. The scaled down set designs were a disappointment and wonder how it will all work out on television, especially with LED screens. I guess I will have to wait and see.