The Wiz

Jeri Jacquin
MOVIE MAVEN 

In the 1900’s, a writer named L. Frank Baum created a fantasy world through words that children, and even adults, have grown up with. His story of Dorothy, a young girl from Kansas, who whirls into a world of munchkins, a scarecrow, a tin man and a cowardly lion became the most beloved homegrown fairy tale. This American classic brought readers witches, good and bad, and the final truth in the universe – there is no place like home!

This story found its way into movies, stage plays and even television. Our society also began to discover that taking a classic story and making it more accessible to others can be a work of art in itself. In January 1975 this very thing occurred on Broadway with the musical “The Wiz”. The premise behind the creation was the all African-American cast. This production ran for over 1,600 performances in four years winning seven Tony Awards in that time.

In 1977 Motown Productions took “The Wiz” another step further. In this production Dorothy begins in Harlem, but, after the tornado she finds herself smack dab in the middle of New York. This all star cast included Diana Ross as Dorothy and Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow.

Now, Shaun T. Evans and the California Young Actors Convervatory (CYAC) have brought “The Wiz” to the Lyceum Theatre in Horton Plaza! This production brings its own unique blend of stage and screen. “For me, the ‘modernized music’ lost of its charm”, says Evans, “In this production, we used a combination of the original Broadway score and a few selections or stylizations from the movie soundtrack.”

What are the results? The beginning of the story happens rather quickly because, let’s face it, Dorothy (Elisha Moore) has a lot to do in Oz! But Auntie Em (Deborah Terrell) and Uncle Henry (Darrell Allbritton) are worried about their scattered little Dorothy. But no time to lament!

A tornado comes and sweeps Dorothy and her little dog Toto (Molly O’Meara) to another place where a house fall on witches and little girls get magical silver shoes! The audiences is swiftly introduced to the Munchkins who are absolutely adorable and Addaperle (Lauren Hunter) who reminded me of a catchy game show host(ess) with a feel good attitude!

Following her yellow-brick road, Dorothy encounters the Scarecrow (Jay-Jay Sharpe), who has a flair for dance, a voice for song but not to many brains. When easing on down the road they meet the Tin Man ((Darrell Allbritton) who sings and soft shoes his way onto the scene but his lack of heart saddens him. It doesn’t take long for the Lion (Dirk Stenger) to roar his way onto the stage only to be discovered to have a case of IOBK (incapable of being King) syndrome and lacks the courage of a true lion.

But, Dorothy takes them all on her journey to see the Wia so they can find their desires and a way to get back home.

Coming up on the Gate Keeper (John Procopio) of the EC (that’s Emerald City dawg!) who raps the info with a flow that’s off the hook yo! He doles out the 411 to the gate crashers and his smooth talking ways get the team to see the Wiz himself!

The Wiz (Jonathan Munoz-Prouix), a emerald wearing twitchy man with issues of abandonment only agree to help the team if they get rid of the wicked witch Evilene (Brittany Cooper). She has problems of her own – she does not like BAD NEWS of any kind, let alone be told that Dorothy is still wandering around Oz. She calls her Flying Monkeys to handle it and they don’t let her Evil-ness down.

But, as happens to most evil, she is defeated. When Dorothy and the gang confront the Wiz they discover that he is only a mortal man. To make up for his deception, the Wiz helps the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion but only in as much as letting them know they already had what they needed inside of them. Dorothy, on the other hand, he can not help.

Enter Glinda, who reminds Dorothy of what’s on her feet, but, more importantly, what she carries in her heart and Dorothy finds what she is looking for…that there is no place like home.

FINAL WORD: If you have never seen a production at the Lyceum Theatre then you have missed a chance to view actors working on their craft. It is a quaint theatre with a bare bones set that allows the viewer to focus on the actors. There are no dazzling props to get in the way of using good ole’ imagination to guide the viewer along. This production has live music, which is a treat.

There are a few moments of flow interruption that are easily overlooked. At times the music tends to over bear the singers and having heard pieces of song was eager to hear more. I will interject here that this was their first performance.

The standouts are young Ms. Moore and her outstanding voice. She had solid emotion as Dorothy that is hard to find in an actress so young. Ms Cooper as Evilene has an attitude that flows through her song. She gives off the tough and sassy element that I would expect in that role.

Mr. Stenger as the Lion is sheer joy to watch. His voice resonates through the theatre and his silliness larger than life. Mr. Procopio as the Gate Keeper is hysterical. His fast talking rap and gangsta attitude gives the audience loud giggles as he doesn’t miss a beat covered in full bling. Having seen both these young actors before, I was particularly pleased to see them again knowing I was in for a real treat, they did not disappoint.

This company gives actors the opportunity to hone their craft. This is a fantastic opportunity for people to experience the theatre. It is not an entire African-American cast with praise for Mr. Evans in integrating a story that can be felt, understood and loved by all. 

“The Wiz” is currently running from July 28-August 12, for more information on CYAC and scheduling go to www.cyactheatre.org.