Review: The Wiz by touring company
by Brian Paul Scipione

“You’ve got to love a musical that’s about the music!” 

I am actually quoting myself here, as this was my biggest takeaway from the show. That is not to say that music is the substance of the show. It is a highly culturally relevant reimagining of The Wizard of Oz, which does much more than bring a distinct new perspective on a classic. It needs to be pointed out  thatThe Wiz is a retelling of Frank L. Baum’s original novel and not the movie (hence, Dorothy’s slippers are silver here and not ruby). The story serves as a catalyst to create an empowering and liberating celebration of Afro-Caribbean and Afro-American culture. Unlike other works of the time, it is not a story of struggle and poverty but instead spotlights the joys of urban street life. It is also a seminal work of Afrofuturism which blends science fiction, fantasy, and magical realism to look at African diasporic communities through their own lens. African American artists produced, directed, choreographed, and wrote the groundbreaking hit that took home eight Tony awards. So, it is fair to say it’s about much more than just the music.

 

The Wiz,  with music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls and book by William F. Brown, opened on at Broadway’s Majestic Theatre on October 21, 1974. In 1978 it was adapted into a film directed by Sidney Lumet that famously starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, and Richard Pryor. The film was a commercial and critical flop but has endured as a cult classic. The musical had a short Broadway revival that lasted from May to June in 1984 but opened in London the same year. It continued to have many different touring and televised productions around the United States and the world until finally re-landing on Broadway in 2024 which is also the present incredible touring production.

 

 

The fun begins from the moment the curtain opens, and you are greeted by the gorgeous retro look of the scenic design that bursts into an array of disco lighting as the overture plays. The video screen is right at home in this production. The whole performance is framed by the various gold speakers that stand in for the bricks of the yellow brick road. As the story begins, the background in inundated with black, white, and sepia tones which somehow give the setting American Gothic vibes. Then the tornado scene takes everything up a notch as thrilling chaos of lights and bodies takes over. Already, we start seeing the wonderful use of movement and choreography that is a hallmark of this production.

 

The actual full title of this show is The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical "Wonderful Wizard of Oz."   Soul is just one of the highlighted musical genres. The Wiz also has elements of call and response, gospel, Motown, rhythm and blues, funk, and rock and roll. The lighting and the costumes are amazing and the quick changes and the video screen made the use of physical set pieces completely unnecessary. The play is loud, powerful, and bright, though at times the rhythm section sounded buried—which cis very unfortunate, considering the musical genres involved. This is, of course, a common problem with touring musicals that must take on the daunting task of taking setting up in a new venue weekly.

The second act opening is pure Soul Train. It and draws the audience right back in,  barely giving them a chance to catch their breath. The casting of the principal roles was absolutely perfect with Dorothy (Phoenix Assata LaFreniere), The Wiz (Alan Mingo Jr.), Glinda (Sheherazade), Aunt Em / Evillene (Kyla Jade), Tinman (D. Jerome), Scarecrow (Elijah Ahmad Lewis) and the Lion (Cal Mitchell).

 

 

Lewis as the Scarecrow was hilarious, seamlessly channeling Chris Tucker’s explosive comedy style. Mingo as the Wiz fully realized his role transforming into himself into a crowd controlling provocateur emanating a mastery of funk and soul singing.

 

The greatest highlight in this sea of highlights was Kyla Jade as Evillene. Her performance is commitment manifest to the wicked role. She is so magnificent that some might be compelled to call her diva-like, but unlike a diva,she throws all her power into the performance and doesn’t showboat at all. Her incredible costume was the icing on the cake.

 

So, it just goes to show that a musical that's about the music but also has the best possible performers is a sum far elevated above its parts.

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The Wiz
by Charlie Smalls and book by William F. Brown
touring company

May 12 - 17, 2026

Bass Concert Hall, Austin