Ease On Down the Road to Oz: The Wiz Lights Up the Orpheum by Jake Killam
The Wiz takes little to no time making its presence known. I saw this production at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis on December 17, 2025, and from the start, it was clear that this re-establishment sways into movement, display, and ensemble energy. Directed by Scehele Williams, choreographed by JaQuel Knights, and adapted by Amber Ruffin, The Wiz delivers a speedy, visually engaging journey that celebrates uniqueness, even if the story moves way too quickly for its own good. Visually, the show is strikingly beautiful. Scenic designer Hannah Beachler does a good job using eye-catching colors, which immediately puts the audience in a world of Oz—creating a vibrant and constantly shifting stage picture. The set is very effective, though at times the backdrop looked suspiciously AI-generated, which was disappointing to say the least. The transition from Kansas to Oz happened so incredibly fast, and the pacing was so rushed, especially early Act I. There wasn't much story developme...