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The Wiz is as Sparkling as

Dorothy’s Silver Slippers

by Pat Lindsey

There’s no place like home and no place like The Muny to see the updated version of The Wiz, which gives new wit to its most beloved characters and adds freshness to a story we all know by heart. It’s an upbeat show that addresses many serious themes–the importance of family and friendship, strong morals, independence, bullying, and even murder. You won’t hear “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” but you will enjoy an award-winning score that is soulful and a little hip-hop.

One of its stars, Nathan Lee Graham, a Hazelwood Central High and Webster University Conservatory graduate, has returned home to St. Louis to give his powerful and entertaining portrayal of the masterful and all-knowing Wiz. He is sought out by Dorothy (Danyel Fulton,  in photo), Scarecrow (Jared Grimes), Tinman (James T. Lane) and Lion (Darius de Haas), the formidable band of newfound friends, who solve one problem after another while giving wonderful singing and dancing performances down the yellow brick road on their journey to the Emerald City. From the moment a troupe of storm dancers dressed in flowing black costumes creates a twirling tornado to the scene when Toto jumps into Dorothy’s arms again, the audience is swept into the fantasy and clings to the hope of finding happiness and a “Brand New Day.”

There are no weak links in this all African-American cast. Besides the main characters, there are witches and Winkies, funky monkeys, a “Dreamgirl” group called Yellow Brick Road, and a little dog named Toto–a no-fail recipe for a rivoting revival of a 43-year-old show. Demetria McKinney, who plays dual roles as Aunt Em and Glinda the Good Witch, opens the show as Aunt Em with “The  Feeling We Once Had” and ended the show with “Believe in Yourself.” E. Faye Butler gives standout performances as both Addaperle and Evillene, a good witch and a bad witch. And Fulton’s (Dorothy) closing number, “Home,” warms our hearts. It all comes together in a delightful new way due to Amber Ruffin, a writer for Late Night With Seth Meyers,who reworked the script and added the freshness and edginess it needed to make it contemporary and very witty.

The Muny’s production of The Wiz is as sparkling as Dorothy’s silver slippers. It’s a feel-good show that teaches us to appreciate our family and friends and realize that what we’re looking for has been deep inside of us all along.

The Wiz will be performed nightly at The Muny in Forest Park through Monday, June 25. For more information, visit muny.org or call 314-361-1900.

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