The Wiz Tour: An Outstanding Cast in a Mediocre Production - Henry Halverson

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Elijah Ahmad Lewis as The Scarecrow and Dana Cimone as Dorothy in the North American Tour of THE WIZ. Photo by Jeremy Daniel.


The Wiz is an all-Black retelling of the iconic The Wizard of Oz. If you have read the book or seen a version of The Wizard of Oz, like the movie or another stage production, you will know the idea of The Wiz. The show does not stray far from the original material, but what it does do is modernize the story with a different cultural lens. This production has several added updates to the script itself, thanks to Amber Ruffin. Some of these changes include aging up Dorothy to be the same age as her companions and removing Toto entirely. 

“They’re a ragtag group of friends, not a girl and her weird uncles,” the show's director Schele Williams said, “[The Wiz] is a celebration of Black excellence and Black joy.” 

The cast is incredible. The choreography by Jaquel Knight shines through each and every actor on the stage. One standout moment was the tornado. Maybe due to a lower budget, the tornado is entirely a dance and lighting sequence. No set, no backdrop, just dance. The costumes flow and move along with the actors, creating a chaotic but somehow beautiful picture that is the tornado. It is mesmerizing to watch as they leap and glide across the stage before quickly disappearing.

Gregory Hamilton, Moriah Perry, and Kameren Whigham as the Tornado in the North American

Tour of THE WIZ. Photo by Jeremy Daniel.


The music in the show is infused with gospel, soul, and R&B, leaving you on your feet after each number. The cast's vocal blend and agility are immaculate. The highlight of the show for me was Elijah Ahmad Lewis as The Scarecrow. He has incredible range and versatility, which is shown off throughout the show. Physically, the man can move. During “A Brand New Day,” he is running and jumping, hitting the jazz splits, and having a good time. His energy is unmatched. Surprisingly, I thought Dana Cimone as Dorothy was underwhelming. During “Home,” I couldn't understand about half of what she was saying, and it felt like she was more focused on how many runs she could fit into the song and less on the song itself.

For me, the set design is where the production falls short. This production is no spectacle like The Phantom of the Opera or Les Misérables. It simply does not have that kind of budget and was never supposed to be one. This production was developed as a tour, which opened in 2023 before moving to Broadway for a limited run in 2024, and then continuing the tour in February of 2025. This smaller budget means that the show's scenic design is heavily reliant on its projections, with only a few, small pieces actually used. 

Whether you grew up on the music or someone looking for a groovy night at the theater, you will find The Wiz to be exactly the right place to be. I myself unknowingly grew up with The Wiz. During the show, I had several “wait, I know this song!” moments. From three Broadway productions, more tours, and a film adaptation, The Wiz has lived with audiences around the world for over 40 years. The Wiz runs through Sunday, December 21, at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis.

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