COLUMBUS, GEORGIA — The Wiz premiered on Broadway 50 years ago, but you would never guess that the show is that old by watching the current production at the Springer Opera House. The energetic cast and wondrous visuals breathe fresh life into the play and make The Wiz compelling from start to finish.
The Wiz owes a debt to The Wizard of Oz but also escapes from it. No one can see The Wiz without thinking of the 1939 MGM film, and comparisons are inevitable. But The Wiz proudly stands as its own work of art and refuses to be boxed in by its audience’s expectations. Half of the delight of seeing The Wiz is discovering where the show will follow earlier versions of the tale and where it will confidently depart from them. The script by William F. Brown is audacious and bold, and a production must live up to the lofty artistic demands that are hidden beneath the jazzy music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls.
Thankfully, the Springer Opera House’s production meets these ideals while also entertaining its audience with humor and heart. Director and choreographer Keith McCoy surpasses his normal level of excellence in The Wiz, especially with the wide variety of dance styles in the production. From the Fosse-inspired crows in “I Was Born on the Day Before Yesterday,” to the energetic “Kalidah Battle,” McCoy’s choreography consistently pleases. McCoy also stages the scenes to seem larger than life; his lead performers fill the space without overacting or sacrificing emotion. The only shortcoming was in the tornado scene, which baffled me and my kids (though it was a great display of modern dance).
The cast of 16 might be the hardest-working actors in Georgia right now. Few have much downtime, as the same performers morph into crows, flying monkeys, Emerald City inhabitants, and more. Their performances never lack in enthusiasm, and they execute every dance step with precision…