Review: ‘The Wiz’ Broadway musical tour eases on down the road to Orlando
“The Wiz” Broadway musical is now on tour in North America, and we saw the show in Orlando, Fla., at the Dr. Phillips Center.
As a huge Oz fan, of course I’ve seen the 1939 film, then its stage adaptation, plus the same for “Wicked” (but the other way around). I’ve read and watched so many adaptations and stories of L. Frank Baum’s world, but tonight I was finally able to check one off my list I’ve always heard about but hadn’t seen in any form, “The Wiz”!
First premiering in 1975, “The Wiz” is an all-Black adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz,” it took Broadway by storm, winning seven Tony awards since its release. It even soon after earned a star-studded film adaptation in 1978 starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson (up next on my watch list). Even having not yet seen the original stage version of “The Wiz” or the film, I was able to tell this production definitely did its own thing with contemporary pop and dance music, costumes, and dance moves, while also honoring and adding to the original ’70s groovy vibes.
Let’s start with the bad. The only thing I was not a fan of at all was the set design. The majority of scenes were totally computer-generated images on a large screen in the back and almost had me thinking it was poorly generated AI art. So much so, that I looked it up during intermission and found out I’m not alone in this assumption, though the show runners seem to have come out and said no AI was used in the creation of the sets. Even so, they did not look great. Some of the physical set pieces were sort of cheap-looking; I noticed seats that were intended to look like thrones were just common modern gaming chairs.
That being said, the sets had no effect whatsoever on the extremely talented cast and beautiful costumes, hair, and makeup. My two favorite numbers were the Poppies and the Emerald City introduction sequence. I love the idea that the Poppies are personified. It reminded me of the Lotus Eaters in “The Odyssey.” Do not be late getting back from intermission, for the best dancing and costumes in the show, the Ozians of Emerald City, definitely get some of the most fun looks and dance moves of the evening!
Not to go unnoticed for those seeing the show here in Orlando, Dr. Phillips Center has also upped its cocktail game. While the venue has had themed cocktails and mocktails for different shows in the past, I noticed the ones for this production in particular were specially highlighted, with their own special menu photo and even a themed bar tap!
Photo by Quinn Roseboom
Photo by Quinn Roseboom
“The Wiz” will be at the Dr. Phillips Center now through Oct. 5, 2025. The production is touring North America through May 2026. Tour locations and dates can be found at wizmusical.com. For tickets to the Orlando performances, visit the Dr. Phillips website.
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