Ease On Down The Road: A New Found Appreciation for The Wiz

Pure Soul and Joy: The Wiz is Brilliant

Editor's Note: 12/2/2025 - This review was updated to remove language that was insensitive and inappropriate for the context of professional commentary. We regret this oversight and apologize to our readers and partners.

📷 Main cover: Cal Mitchell as The Lion, Dana Cimone as Dorothy, D. Jerome as The Tinman, and Elijah Ahmad Lewis as The Scarecrow in the North American Tour of THE WIZ. Photo by Jeremy Daniel. Thumbnail: Sheherazade as Glinda and Dana Cimone as Dorothy in the North American Tour of THE WIZ. Photo by Jeremy Daniel

"The voices and charisma of everyone involved was so captivating I didn’t even notice there was no Toto"

To be fair, I have to view ‘The Wiz’ for what it is, rather than what it’s not. Though very much like ‘The Wizard of Oz’ it’s its very own show. Rather than be disappointed there was no ‘Over the Rainbow,’ I embrace the fact that my daughter walked out of the Schuster singing, ‘Ease on Down the Road.’ 

📷 Cal Mitchell as The Lion Elijah Ahmad Lewis as The Scarecrow, Dana Cimone as Dorothy, and Alan Mingo Jr as The Wiz in the North American Tour of THE WIZ. Photo by Jeremy Daniel

It’s a testament to the extremely talented cast, that time and time again they made me forget what was expected and appreciate what occurred. The voices and charisma of everyone involved was so captivating I didn’t even notice there was no Toto. The phenomenal cast, lead by Dana Cimone as Dorothy. One would never guess it’s her national tour debut, as she has the stage presence of a seasoned veteran.

Sheherazade’s rendition of ‘Believe in Yourself’ is so moving that I thought I was going to get blown away to Oz

Despite his lack of a brain, Elijah Ahmad Lewis is brilliant as Dorothy…err the Scarecrow. He embodies being made of straw with his movements and is instantly appealing with an evident affable personality. Equally as compelling is D. Jerome as the Tin Man. Jerome is a well-oiled entertainment machine, with a vast array of dance moves. The last, but certainly not least of friends Dorothy encounters is Cal Mitchell as the Cowardly Lion. With his well cared for mane and despite an orange colored hue, there would be no protests over Mitchell being named King of the Forest.

I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t like to see Mitchell doing, ‘If I Were King of the Forest,’ or Lewis singing, ‘If I Only Had a Brain,’ and Jerome, ‘If I Only Had a Heart,’ but that takes nothing away from their performances. Much like when eating at a buffet, I always have room for a little more. They are all just so good, one can never get their fill.

Believe it or not, we haven’t even gotten to the most powerful voices yet. There’s no wonder Kyla Jade turned chairs as a finalist on ‘The Voice’ as her vocals defies gravity. From her portrayal of the loving Aunt ‘Em to the wickedness of Evillene, Jade shows great range in all aspects of her performance. Her rendition of ‘Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News’ very spirited. My only complaint is especially for a character as commanding as Evillene, her eventual demise seems anticlimactic.

📷 Sheherazade as Glinda, Dana Cimone as Dorothy, and Amitria Fanae as Addaperle in the North American Tour of THE WIZ. Photo by Jeremy Daniel

Sheherazade as Glenda, has earned the right to go by just a one word name. Her voice is more powerful than a tornado. Sheherazade’s rendition of ‘Believe in Yourself’ is so moving that I thought I was going to get blown away to Oz. 

Another standout is Alan Mingo Jr as the Wiz. Mingo is perfect as the conniving shyster, and is clearly comfortable in the role since he played it in the Broadway revival. 

A fan favorite is Amitria Fanae’ as Addaperle. She fills the void of the lullaby league, lollipop guild, the Mayor of Munchkin City and the coroner all by herself with a spirited sermon/declaration of the death of Evamean, the Wicked Witch of the East. Fanae delivers her monologue with a passionate, fiery conviction. The part of Addeperle is small, but its impact is everlasting.

Most of the scenery is projections on a screen, with limited set pieces. The projections are such high quality and detailed, I barely noticed they were just images. In the many productions of ‘Wizard of Oz’ I’ve attended, I had never seen the opening scenes in Kansas be made to look black & white like done in ‘The Wiz’

"I’m no longer sad this wasn’t yet another production of the ‘Wizard of Oz’ but have gained a new found appreciation for ‘The Wiz’ and the version it represents."

Yes, I know it’s more hip to like Wicked rather than Wizard of Oz, but I’m old fashioned. Plus nobody has ever called me hip. As someone who has a collection of Wizard of Oz figures in several different styles and other types of collectibles, the highest compliment I can give the cast and crew of ‘The Wiz’ is, I’m no longer sad this wasn’t yet another production of the ‘Wizard of Oz’ but have gained a new found appreciation for ‘The Wiz’ and the version it represents. All yellow brick roads lead to the Emerald City, and I’ll gladly ease on down or follow one. 

Show information: Broadway in Dayton: The Wiz now thru Sunday, Nov 16

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