DPAC's "The Wiz" is Bright, Lively, and Full of Hope

Cal Mitchell as The Lion, Elijah Ahmad Lewis as The Scarecrow, Dana Cimone as Dorothy, D. Jerome as Tinman, and Alan Mingo Jr. as The Wiz in the North American Tour of THE WIZ. Photo by Jeremy Daniel. 

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has been through a lot of iterations since L. Frank Baum’s famous novel in 1900. It’s been an early Broadway musical (1902), a famous film with Judy Garland (1939), and, of course, it’s been The Wiz. Premiering first as a stage musical (1974) and then as a beloved film (1978) starring Diana Ross, The Wiz tells the story of Dorothy and her magical journey through a Black cultural lens. And, in the latest version, onstage now at the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) and directed by Schele Williams, The Wiz comes alive yet again. 

Unlike the school teacher Dorothy in the film version, this Dorothy (Dana Cimone) is a young girl who has recently moved to Kansas after the death of her parents. Before the infamous tornado whisks her away to Oz, she’s being bullied in school and struggling with feeling like she doesn’t fit in. Featuring a book by William F. Brown, music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls, and additional material by Amber Ruffin, this new imagining has all the fun and energy of the original, while adding in some smart, sensitive, and heartfelt touches that bring the story to life for a new generation.

In the opening scene, Dorothy’s Kansas is a drab, black-and-white world, made possible by smart use of onstage color choices. As Cimone’s Dorothy confesses her troubles to her spirited-but-caring Aunt Em (Kyla Jade), the two share a sweet chemistry that makes both instantly likeable. Cimone, in particular, has the perfect youthful, doe-eyed energy for the role and creates a sympathetic character worth rooting for. 

This calm, tender moment, however, quickly gives way to chaos as a tornado sweeps through Dorothy’s home. In this case, though, the tornado isn’t sound effects or rustling props. Instead, it’s realized through an imaginative, dizzying, and ultimately beautiful dance performed by a slew of actors in swirling gray cloaks. This effect is the audience’s first taste of Jaquel Knight’s fun, always-lively choreography, which shines and stuns throughout the production.

The Oz that Dorothy finds herself in is also uniquely realized. It’s a glowing, neon world where every character is unforgettable, starting with Addaperle (Amitria Fanae’), The Good Witch of the North. She’s positively thrilled to find that her evil sister has been killed beneath Dorothy’s house, and she wastes no time in showing it. Fanae’ is funny, lovable, and impeccably dressed in her nurturing role. And, even better, she’s soon joined by a glittering, lovely Glinda, portrayed in a fabulous, over-the-top fashion by the kind-faced Sheherazade. As Dorothy is sent off on her mission to find the Wizard of Oz and find her way back to Kansas, viewers get the feeling that she’s not really alone . . . not with these fanciful, doting characters behind her.

On her journey, she picks up a trio of familiar characters, one-by-one. There’s the brainless scarecrow, portrayed by an adorably sweet Elijah Ahmad Lewis; the rusty Tinman, acted by a surprisingly smooth-talking D. Jerome; and the fancy-but-fearful lion, played by Cal Mitchell. As each character is introduced, they get a chance to showcase their singing and dancing skills, not to mention Knight’s inventive choreography. Crows dance and poppies preen in one can’t-look-away moment after another as they “ease on down the road.” Plus, the colorful costumes, larger-than-life set pieces, and impressive visual and lighting effects are all there, adding to the fun and magic that make up the Land of Oz.

Despite all the big, whimsical wonders that are on display here, nothing tops the heartfelt relationships Dorothy builds with her new friends. Lewis and Cimone seem to share an extra special on-stage connection that really drives the emotional aspects of the story home, and both Jerome and Mitchell know how to ham up the comedy for extra laughs among the more tender moments. Add all this to the fact that each actor boasts powerhouse vocal skills, and there’s nothing not to love here.

These characters, of course, do eventually make it to see the Wizard, portrayed by a smirking and hilarious Alan Mingo Jr., but there’s still more work to do. And, as the twisting ending reveals itself, viewers are treated to a wonderfully wicked Evilene, acted by none other than Kyla Jade. Her transformation from the good-natured Aunt Em to the cackling, mean-spirited witch is one of the highlights of the production and also shows off Jade’s impressive acting range. And, speaking of highlights, few things can top Cimone’s roof-raising “Wonder, Wonder Why” or Lewis’ tearful Scarecrow farewell.

Needless to say, there’s a whole lot to love here. The Wiz delivers a familiar tale with a fresh, new, and fabulous spin. The production is full of all the hope and promise of a “brand new day” and will leave viewers feeling refreshed, renewed, and ready to believe in themselves and our world once again.

-Susie Potter