Posted: 8/14/15 at 5:20pm
Did anyone see the 40th anniversary Wiz concert in Marcus Garvey Park last night? (I think it was in held in Central Park the night prior.) Curious about the quality of the presentation... Is it worth the time investment to go? Also, for anyone who saw it last night, any tips on how crowded Marcus Garvey Park was / when best to arrive / where to sit / anything of note....?
Posted: 8/14/15 at 5:27pm
They start seating in 90 minutes, so sounds a bit late to wonder how early to get there...
Beyond that, if you are wondering if it is worth your time, it probably isn't...
Posted: 8/14/15 at 5:49pm
Well, I live a 10-minute walk from the venue, so my timing to ask this actually isn't late. If folks say it was sub-par, my wife and I will just enjoy a nice night with our old buddy Netflix instead!
I like the Wiz and am not wondering about the quality of the material; what I'm curious about is the quality of this particular presentation of the show. It doesn't follow that it's not worth my time just because I'm asking about its quality. I'm sounding folks out and looking for thoughts and opinions from people who've actually seen this concert.
Any thoughts on it, folks?
Posted: 8/14/15 at 6:22pm
Well that sounds awesome. You helped us decide... walking out the door now!
Posted: 8/14/15 at 8:56pm
I was there. It was packed. Seats we're gone early and people were on the side lawns, standing along the back rail and at the brick wall behind the theater. Great crowd. They did a dance thing for the first hour or so. Got to be a little long. It was audience participation. Luckily right afte the show started. Mr. Faison came out and spoke for a bit and then the show started.
They had 2 Dorothys. One did every song with the exception of Be A Lion and Home. Cannot remember the name of the girl who did the two songs but I think she was in the revival and they kind of made it seem like a big deal that she was there. Great voice but we liked the other girl better. Great band and pit singers.
Phylicia Rashaad provided a bit of narration (In a fabulous dress I might add). They recreated the original coreography and used original props. They even had a "house" that rolled around the stage during the tornado and recreated the fabric tornado.
They had some sound issues but all in all it was a great night. Brought back memories as they included all of the songs that were in the show but not recorded. My favorite being Who Do You Think You Are.
Andre DeSheilds was incredible. He wore the original Wiz costumes complete with boots. They needed to just cast him for the NBC telecast. He still hits the notes and was right in step with the dancers.
Oh, and we got a nice treat. The actress who was to sing the final version of If You Believe was not there. No announcement was made but we got Lillias White. And she KILLED IT! The crowd went nuts. I am sure a lot of people knew her as she lives up there and they were shouting her name at the curtain call.
On top of that it was a gorgeous night out. So glad I went!
Posted: 8/15/15 at 1:53am
What a treat to see Lillias. Not sure if you are familiar with her history in the show, but she was originally in the ensemble of the tour and took over as Dorothy and previously sang Evillene at the last reunion concert.. Gypsy of the Year, I THINK.
The primary Dorothy you saw was Darlesia Cearcy. She has several Broadway credits and a stunning voice. I previously saw her in the City Center revival of The Wiz where she was a featured vocalist and understudied LaChanze as Aunt Em and Glinda. The date I went, Cearcy played Aunt Em in act one and absolutely blew the roof of the theatre and wiped the stage with LaChanze's appearance as Glinda in act two.
the second Dorothy - for "Be A Lion" and "Home" - was Innaya Day who understudied Stephanie Mills in the 1992/1993 tour that only made it to NYC in a tour stop at the Beacon. She has since gone on to have a notable career as a recording artist and studio singer.
Posted: 8/16/15 at 9:06pm
broadwayguy, thanks for listing the names. Didn't have my program with me when I commented. Knew Lillias had some connection but didn't know how.
Innaya Day just didn't do it for us. She didn't hold some notes and she seemed to be showboating a bit putting a twist on the songs. It was like we we're getting 2 concerts. One where the cast was singing the songs pretty much the way they were originally done and then we got her in a club outfit just singing and riffing a bit. Felt really out of place. And just her demeanor changed the feel of things when she was onstage. JMO
I can see Darlesia wiping the floor with a lot of people 'cause that girl can sing!
And yes, Lillias was a wonderful treat!!
Posted: 8/17/15 at 1:59am
I appreciate Day - and each of Mills' stand-bys - for their history with the role and earning it under Mills. Day had the disadvantage of doing that tour where Mills had essentially stopped playing Dorothy and was giving you a parody of what once was, even in her vocal performance. I'd have found it jarring as well, especially since it happened so rarely and only in that role... And aid have been livid missing Cearcy singing those songs when they were right there at hand.
Posted: 8/17/15 at 2:04am
Lillias as Dorothy. 2nd national tour, I believe.
http://s63.photobucket.com/user/imscratchy/media/Lillias1.jpg.html
