The Wiz Live! aired recently on Thursday, December 3rd and I thought it was OZ-mazing! NBC’s recent live adventure has been a critical and rating success, managing to score 11.5, which is 2 million more than last years Peter Pan Live!. The show has gotten rave reviews for its new book, written by Tony Award Winning Harvey Fierstein and it’s all-star cast. The Wiz Live! was a spectacular show that I can’t wait to transfer to Broadway next year.
Photo credit: NBC
The cast features newcomer Shanice Williams as Dorothy Gale, Elijah Kelley as Scarecrow, Ne-Yo as Tin Man, David Alan Grier as Cowardly Lion, Mary J. Blige as Evillene (Wicked Witch of the West), Amber Riley as Addaperle (Good Witch of the North), Uzo Aduba as Glinda (Good Witch of the South), Common as The Bouncer of the Emerald City, and Queen Latifah as The Wizard of OZ.
Every one of these principal actors did such an amazing job of bringing these character to life in a way that was modern and engaging. I think the people who haven’t gotten the credit that they deserve is the ensemble. The ensemble of this show, excuse the pun, but they brought the house down! Every single member of this cast made such an impression. They all had their own personalities that shined so bright.
When I first heard that NBC was doing The Wiz! as their next live production, I was nervous. Based on the L. Frank Baum classic, “The Wizard of Oz,” this show features an all-black principal cast and a score that uses the sounds of R&B/Soul and funk tunes to tell the story. The show premiered on Broadway in 1975 with Stephanie Mills as it’s Dorothy. It became a cult classic after the film came out in 1978. The film started Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, and Richard Pryor, among others. After the show last week, all of my fears vanished!
It is at this time that I would like to give out some special awards based on some of the past performances from the previous Live! adventures:
The Laura Benanti Award for Scene Stealing- Elijah Kelley, because did you see that performance?!
The Christian Borle Award for Comedy- David Alan Grier, because every line he said was HILARIOUS!
The Taylor Lauderman Award for New Broadway Leading Lady- Shanice Williams. The girl will be a star! Like Lauderman who has graced Boradway in Bring It On the Musical, Williams will be a huge hit on The Great White Way!
The Carrie Underwood/Alison Williams Award for Most Surprising Turn- Uzo Aduba, because this woman is INCREDIBLE!
The Stephen Moyer Award for Best Emotional Male Performance- Ne-Yo. That ballad… TEARS WERE EVERYWHERE!
The Kelli O’Hara Award for Best Diva Performance- This one is a tie between Amber Riley & Queen Latifah. Because they were both absolutely FIERCE!
The Audra McDonald Award for Song of the Night- Mary J. Blige with “No Bad News”. That song is still stuck in my head!
The Minnie Driver Award for Best Cameo- Stephanie Mills. The original Dorothy returned to play Aunt Em and man was she FABULOUS!
The Von Trapp Family/ Lost Boys Award for Best Ensemble- The ensemble. DUH!
Tweet me your thoughts on The Wiz Live!
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