THE WIZ: 2015 NBC LIVE MUSICAL — Page 60

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?

"

LOL

Liza's Headband said: "He tore me a new one

Oh, please expand on that.

It's a figure a speech. But you knew that already, didn't you?

"

Jesus Christ, Broadway Guy. Cool it!

^ That sounds exactly like Broadway Guy. Fun times. Welcome back from camp, Bilbo/Broadway Guy!

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 ]

Dorothy's new jacket makes her whole outfit so much more pleasing to look at. A little change goes a long way.

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.

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.

THE WIZ HAS LOST IT'S FUNK!

Updated On: 12/2/15 at 04:30 PM

The sanitized sets and costumes (none of which are Afrocentric) are a far cry from this, even if they are lavish and expensive.

I will absolutely miss my Yellow Brick Road dancers ...

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.

Why would local news start at 10:45?

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.