The Wiz - Saturday night 11/4

[LI Larry]

The Wiz - Saturday night 11/4#1

Posted: 11/5/06 at 11:17pm

I know people have already posted their thoughts on the La Jolla Playhouse production of "The Wiz" but I got my tickets so long ago, I wanted to add my thoughts about it since I flew across the country to see it.

I actually loved it. True, when I got the tickets, I was looking forward to seeing Wayne Brady as the scarecrow but I thought they did a great job. It was much better than I thought. The special effects were great. I thought Titus Burgess was the best and did the best job but Rashad Naylor and Michael Benjamin Washington were great too. and of course Nikki James was great.

The only person I thought who was miscast was E. Faye Butler as Evilene. She played it like Grace Jones and you really need a big black diva playing the role, someone like Capathia Jenkins, Roz Ryan or Sharon Wilkins. The frog voice she used got annoying after 5 minutes. But everything else was great. I had a friend in the ensemble and he says they want to bring it to Broadway, at the St. James. It will be interesting to see which show ends up there since Mel Brooks wants to put Young Frankenstein there after he closes "The Producers".

[neddyfrank2]

re: The Wiz - Saturday night 11/4#1

Posted: 11/5/06 at 11:26pm

The St. James is there first choice, I was holding back to say it but now that you said it...

Where were your seats, and any understudies?

[jewishboy]

re: The Wiz - Saturday night 11/4#2

Posted: 11/6/06 at 12:41am

How was Valarie Pettiford as Glinda?
Thanks

[LI Larry]

re: The Wiz - Saturday night 11/4#3

Posted: 11/6/06 at 7:07pm

My seats were E27 & 28. I had requested an aisle, not realizing that being in the front half of the theater, you can't get out and get back in. The yellow brick road goes around the theater breaking in between the front of the orchestra and the back. If you left to go to the bathroom, you had to stand in the back.

I'm not sure who is getting the ST. James. Seems like there are two groups wanting it. I had not expected to like The Wiz as much as I did. The pictures did not impress me. But it was colorful, exciting and a lot of fun.

Valerie Pettiford as Glinda was great! both as Auntie Em and Glinda. She had that great soulful voice without hamming it up.

[BroadwayBaby6]

re: The Wiz - Saturday night 11/4#4

Posted: 11/8/06 at 3:46am

Young Frankenstein is a shoo-in for the St. James. Brooks and his producers will keep "The Producers" running there at a loss just to save the theatre for Young Frankenstein.

"It does what a musical is supposed to do; it takes you to another world. And it gives you a little tune to carry in your head. Something to take you away from the dreary horrors of the real world. A little something for when you're feeling blue. You know?"