THROUGH JULY 1 : THE WIZ - lyricstage.com Mulford Review of The Wiz.pdf · THROUGH JULY 1 : THE WIZ...
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THROUGH JULY 1 : THE WIZ By Susan Mulford More fun than hanging out with the kids from the "Lollypop League" (the spirited Munchkins in The Wizard of OZ movie)! The Lyric Stage Company's adaptation of this "soul" based retelling of L. Frank Baum's beloved book, now playing om their stage at 140 Clarendon St. in Boston, boasts a delightfully engaging and multi-talented cast. Yewande Odetoyinbo, with Pier Lamia Porter, Juanita Pearl, Lance-Patrick Strickland The all African-American show opened in 1974 and by 1975 had captured 7 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. Combining fairy-tale glitter with street smart attitude along with clever costumes by Anther Voner, Sound Design by Rachel Neubaue, a live band under the direction of Allyssa Jones and Choreography by Appolon, this show, even today, provides relevance to audiences whether young or old as it relates wonderful messages surrounding home, heart, courage and using our brains. The score (music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls) is an ingenious mix of rock, gospel, and soul that features
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Transcript of THROUGH JULY 1 : THE WIZ - lyricstage.com Mulford Review of The Wiz.pdf · THROUGH JULY 1 : THE WIZ...
THROUGH JULY 1 : THE WIZ By Susan Mulford
More fun than hanging out with the kids from the "Lollypop League" (the spirited Munchkins in The Wizard of OZ movie)! The Lyric Stage Company's adaptation of this "soul" based retelling of L. Frank Baum's beloved book, now playing om their stage at 140 Clarendon St. in Boston, boasts a delightfully engaging and multi-talented cast.
Yewande Odetoyinbo, with Pier Lamia Porter, Juanita Pearl, Lance-Patrick Strickland
The all African-American show opened in 1974 and by 1975 had captured 7 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. Combining fairy-tale glitter with street smart attitude along with clever costumes by Anther Voner, Sound Design by Rachel Neubaue, a live band under the direction of Allyssa Jones and Choreography by Appolon, this show, even today, provides relevance to audiences whether young or old as it relates wonderful messages surrounding home, heart, courage and using our brains. The score (music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls) is an ingenious mix of rock, gospel, and soul that features
hits like "Ease on Down the Road," "A Brand New Day," and "Home." The clever, re-imagined book is by William F. Brown. Directed by Dawn M. Simmons, the ensemble cast were stunningly energetic throughout.
Steven Martin, Elle Borders, Brandon G. Green, Salome Smith
New to the stage, Salone Smith, as Dorthy produced strong vocals, while Carolyn Saxon* and Yewande Odetoyinbo* as the good witch & Aunt Em and the bad witch & Addaperle respectively, produced some
truly powerful renditions of their songs. Elle Borders* as the Scarecrow, and Steven Martin as the Tin Man were adorable but Brandon G. Greene* as the Lion, truly won the audiences heart with his humorous antics and great vocals.
The cast of The Wiz
The brightest spotlight among this outstanding group was Davron S. Monroe*. His performance as the
Wizard was a show stopper. States the New York Post, the production..."Radiates so much energy you
can hardly sit in your seat!” So 'move on down the road' to the Lyric Stage and get tickets for this family
friendly show available at www.lyricstage.com
