The “Wiz” Hits The Civic Center With Great Voices, Every Color Of the Rainbow and Outstanding Dancing.

Nichelle Lewis as Dorothy and Avery Wilson as The Scarecrow

 If you are expecting to see a traditional “The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz: you will have gone to the wrong theatre of the opening night performance at the Civic theatre of “The Wiz” OH! There is a Dorothy, The Tinman, The Lion, The Scarecrow and The Wizard. But to say there is much more of the original the way you would have remembered it would be an overstatement. 

This almost all new singing and dancing touring show is slated for Broadway. With a few minor nips and tucks here and there and maybe an added person or two I would have been happy. And where the hell was Toto? 

Years ago, a very good friend of mine started  me on a Wizard Od OZ character collection. The last to arrive was Dorothy and Toto in her little doggie basket. I wish I still had that collection now. Anyway moving on, this revival production has an all -Black cast with talent galore, culturally inclusive and historically all knowing.

Kyle Ramar Freeman, Avery Wilson, Nichelle Lewis, Phillip Johnson Richardson

With book by William F. Brown and Music and Lyrics by Charlie Smalls, directed by Schele Williams, Choreographed by Jaquel Knight  and with awesome , never seen the likes of three dimensional projections by Daniel Brodie, Hannah Beachler’s scenic design and colorful costumes by Sharen Davis this two and a half hour show (with all the wonders of modern technology) still needs culling.

The story pretty much follows Dorothy’s (the beautiful and gifted 24 year old Nichelle Lewis) wind swept adventure to the Land of Oz where she saves The Scarecrow(Avery Wilson), comforts the Tin Man (Phillip Johnson Richardson) gives understanding to the Cowardly Lion (Kyle Ramar Freeman). All three ooze with talent both singing and dancing. It’s a bit of a change from the original Frank L. Baum, but you do get the impression that you’ve seen something very similar a la "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" even without the munchkins. The Yellow Brick Road (sorry no yellow) “Ease Down the Road” instead are minor departures, but to be expected. 

There are more names to be added to that outstanding list: Deborah Cox as Glinda, ("He's the Wiz" and Believe in Yourself") and Melody A. Betts as Aunt Em. She tries to reassure Dorothy that she's loved("The Feeling We Once Had") And not to forget Dorothy's final number "Home".  

“The Wiz” opened on Broadway’s Majestic Theatre Jan. 5th 1975, and later transferred the Broadway Theatre. It played 1,672 performances . It won seven 1975 Tony Awards including Best Musical. A 19684 revival managed only 13 performances at the Lunt-Fontainne Theatre. 

Only time will tell the fate of this 2025 revival. 

Enjoy. 

See you at the theatre.

Dates: Jan. 11; 8 p.m. Jan. 12 ; 2 and 8 p.m. Jan. 13;1 and 6:30 p.m. 

Where: San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown

Tickets: $44 and up

Photo: Jeremy Daniel

Online: broadwaysd.com