top of page
The Wiz
The Wiz is a piece that is built on vibrant sensory patterns, primarily through music, but also through landscape, texture, sound, and the movement in the journey that defines Dorothy and her story. The world of this story bounces between the hum and chaos, but bleak reality of New York City, as well as the vibrant energy of the Emerald City, a seductive, but dangerous escape from Dorothy's reality back home. The visual and auditory patterns of The Wiz create an extremely dynamic and constantly moving show where Dorothy must learn to navigate the ever changing world around her as she herself changes as a person.
In this urban jungle we see the hum of the city, it pairs well with the upbeat and lively music and dance numbers. There is also a vibrant color shift as we go from the dreary grey of New York City winter to the magic of emerald city with its energetic colors and energy. The music serves as a transformation point, altering the world and the characters as we go along. For example, the song Scarecrow (the King of Pop Michael Jackson) sings helps propel him from a lowly servant to the crows to an independent human being with a dream. So, we begin with the cold reality of New York, transform to the bright, disco funk of the emerald city, and finally are thrust back to reality in NYC, but, this time, with a new strong sense of hope, possibility, and a strong sense of future ahead. There is warmth now. This story reframes the idea of “escaping” reality into more of a mindset of reframing it.
bottom of page