The Wiz - July 01 matinee - LaChanze for half a show

So, I saw The Wiz today and I will keep my comments brief. The show started at about 2:20, with a preshow announcememnt stating that the role of Aunt Em would be played Darlesia Cearcy. LaChanze was there for Act two, and in spectacular voice, so I am unsure of what happened, but either way, it was a treat to see both of these ladies on stage and knocking it out of the park.

Ashanti is successful when she sings.. and only when she sings. Strolling around the stage like a third grader in a school play during the tornado and all drags the show to a screeching helt. Save her for a CD. There are COUNTELESS know and unknown girls would have knocked it out of the park.

The principals, aside from Ashanti, are great. The three friends shine, the witches were stand out... Coleman Domingo was a fun and over the top Wiz.

Kail's direction is serviceable.. I did feel that he took the word "black a little too literally". Where was the color??

Blankenbuehler should should by lynched for the choreography.. One trick pony is being kind to this one. What's worse is that it grinds the show to a hault each time.

I loved the set by David Korins. the man is really my favorite designer working today. Naturally, I wish there had been more of a set, but this IS Encores! I particularly liked Kansas.

Tazewell REALLY dropped the ball on the costumes... the worst were the crows, kahlidahs, yellow brick road, and monkeys.. all of which had NOTHINg to dow ith what they were supposed to be. tazewell and Blankenbuehler teamed up to slaughter the Munchkins as well.

Billington's lighting was very nice, especially from the front, dead center mezz.

ACME usually does fantastic sound work, but on this show, it was static filled and very off.

Cheers to Berloni for a wonderful, if sadly underused, Toto.

All in all, I will say that I had a GREAT time at the show, and the music sounded fantastic. The cast, over all, is strong and the set is wonderful. The problem lies in only two areas, for the most part, and they are far too critical to be left with such weak links - Dorothy and the choreography.

The show is really a period piece. It was such a big deal back then because the African American Theater movement was taking place. I forget what article I was reading, but it talked about this idea that when Glinda sang "Believe in Yourself", it was almost as if she was also nodding to the African Americans who faced racist issues. The show was more focused on rising against oppressive odds and finding everything you need to know to be home WITHIN you. The movie didn't really touch on that, but The Wiz does.

"Home isn't just a place where you eat or sleep, child. Home is knowing. Home is knowing your mind, your heart, your courage. As long we know ourselves, we're always home..."

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HI guys
Remember LaChanze did the role of Sarah in the out of town try outs prior to going to Broadway.

Some auditions were held yesterday with Stephen Flaherty.
And interesting enough, LaChanze missed her first song in the WIZ yesterday. But she was there for her last two songs.

Is there a connection, did she audition. She does have a history with the Stephen and Lynn.

LaChanze was GREAT!

Go Darlesia! Saw her in a tour of JCS in 2005, and she was a better Mary than Natalie Toro. Knocked the walls down. You go girl!

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It's kind of upsetting how Andy is a one-trick pony. It worked perfectly for In the Heights, was tolerable for 9 to 5, but I think I would get tired of it if I saw The Wiz. Too bad he doesn't incorporate more things... it can get boring watching the same moves over and over.

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Wow. I apoligize. Truth be told, when writing my post, that connotation didn't enter my mind. Whether that is good or bad, I leave up to, but I wasn't at all thinking of a connection.


Having had a day to sit on it, I must say that the three strongest impressions, on the good side of things, that I am left with are Darlesia Ceary's Aunt Em, Tichina Arnold's Evillene and David Korins' Kansas set (which I am more than happy to describe for those who haven't seen it).

The montage during the overture, introducing all of the Oz characters as Kansas people, is leaving more and more of a bad taste in my mouth. While I can appreciate the wink and nudge to the MGM Oz incarnation, it was entirely inappropriate here, completely changing EVERYTHING about teh story and what follows. MGM's "dream" concept is the main thorn in the side for many an Oz purist, and one that I fully understand. The Wiz is based in Baum's novel and Baum envisioned Oz as a true, REAL place - and one where Dorothy, Em and Henry eventually reloacate to. It isn't a dream.

Also, why did they cast Orlando when he couldn't commit to such a short run?

it's my understanding that he didn't find out the pilot he filmed was picked up until after he was cast and rehearsals had started. although I know a lot of people here might ask why he was cast when he wasn't really that good.

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