THE WIZ: 2015 NBC LIVE MUSICAL — Page 65

Do you not watch movies on tv, either?

Phyllis Rogers Stone said: "Do you not watch movies on tv, either?

I do, but that's not the same thing. A movie on TV is still a movie, it doesn't change. But theater and television are completely different forms of media. Theater on TV is no longer theater, it's just a poorly made video.

"When I want to see a stage musical, I go to the theater."

Well, then, keep doing what works for you!

DigificWriter said: "hork said: "

I do, but that's not the same thing. A movie on TV is still a movie, it doesn't change. But theater and television are completely different forms of media. Theater on TV is no longer theater, it's just a poorly made video.

"

This is seriously one of the most clueless statements I think I've ever seen. * sigh *

What clues am I missing? Please, inform me.

Just finished watching. Guess I will get the things I wasn't crazy about out of the way first...

Was not crazy about the "smoothing out" sound of the music/songs. Took the original punch out of them. As for the arrangements, they were not all bad but again the new ones took something away. An aside: When Quincy was recording his album Juke Joint I read a piece where Brandy was frustrated that she could not sing Rock With You because of the original vocal arrangement. The piece talked about how music changed and the singers who came along after the 70's and 80's sang a different way. It was quite interesting and I think that contributed to the change in some of the vocal arrangement.

Was not crazy about some of the slang and terms added. The worst for me was "What had happened was". Made me cringe a bit. Have seen a few comments about people thinking the show was racist. Maybe they felt this because of the use of some slang and things you hear used mostly by black people. That, however, does not make it a racist show!

The shortened tonado was sad. I missed those wonderful vocals in the original. Also the iPad. It is a fantasy. No tecnology was needed. It was a bit lame. And lastly, Commom was just awful. I like him but he was just awful! And turning Emerald city into a club was just off for me. (Although it was cool to see the citizens vougeing!) Also the addition of "You Can't Win" and tzking out 3 songs from the show kind of infuriated me! Was so looking forward to seeing them do "Who do you think you are". One of my favorite songs from the show and it is not on the recording.

With that stuff said, I loved the sets and the look. I think the choice to ol it as if it were a stage show was a good one. Didn't mind the many commercial breaks. ( There were actually some really good commercials and On Demand allowed you to fast forward!) The show was sung well and for the most part nice costumes. Neo's "What Would I Do" was fantastic. Since a lot of the people In the show are primarily singers and not actors, I overlooked some of the wooden acting. Blige seemed not to kow what to do with her hands but her expressions especially with her eyes made up for it.

All in all it was ok. Not the worst thing ever. I don't think that I would pay to see this version onstage unless they got someone else to do the book and got stage actors, which I suspect will happen, and not recording artists in the cast. Shanice was fine but she would not draw me to see her live on Broadway. Also, the ensemble sounded absolutely wonderful. Great voices and sounded great together. JMO

Updated On: 12/4/15 at 02:20 PM

Also, the ensemble sounded absolutely wonderful. Great voices and sounded great together. JMO

Just to note for the record: I imagine it sounded that way because roughly 90% of the ensemble vocals were pre-recorded by the Broadway Inspirational Voices. The ensemble was singing with them but still... they clearly had a ton of help.

doodlenyc said: "That's right, bestie, and LaChanze played both parts at Encores.

I love that idea that Aunt Em is Glinda in the land of Oz.

"

It's actually kind of a cool doubling (like the Wolf/Prince in Into the Woods), and it also serves as nice "bookends" to have the performer sing a number as each character at the beginning and the end of show.

The rewritten book was awful...not that the original was any better

Cannot believe how unfunny David Alan Grier was.

Shanice has the same pained expression as Nick Jonas.

Those girls from Omaha sure know how to dress!

Could the Tin Man have been any more stereotypical with that "s" sound?

Stephanie Mills was the best thing in it.

Dorothy actually said "She is so beautiful" referring to Glinda?

Amber Riley was about 20 years too young for her role.

Voices were great.

Choreogrpaphy was meh. Camera work was lacking.

Another clunker for NBC....but it received very good reviews! And large audience.

I caught a few of those. Quite honestly I turned away during "You Can't Win". Will look again. I plan to watch it again tonight. I had so many reservations about it I want to see it again.

Here is the NY Times review:

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/12/05/arts/television/wiz-wizard-oz-nbc-review.html?_r=0

"Shanice has the same pained expression as Nick Jonas."

Really? i didn't notice. To me, Jonas looks like he's suffering from active constipation. I thought Shanice and her facial expressions should take her far in this business.

I think it was enjoyable if not painful at some moments. I cringed pretty hard when Blige (who I enjoyed) said "Before you go cast shade" LOL. I thought Latifahs vocals were fine. She can't do much with that material in those keys. I loved Amber. Shanice has a gorgeous voice and I thought some moments acting wise were great and others not so much.

active constipation.

Jane, isn't that a reverse construct?