One afternoon the Tiny Desk traveled to Emerald Metropolis. Or slightly, we received to fulfill the forged of the most recent Broadway revival of The Wiz. Debuting in Baltimore, Md. in 1974, the musical unapologetically centered Black tradition in its reenvisioning of The Wizard Of Oz and helped usher in a brand new period of Black theatrical storytelling. In its numerous stage productions and 1978 display adaptation, audiences for The Wiz get to see a futuristic and fantastical depiction of the Black creativeness. As an 8-year-old, seeing The Wiz ignited my love of musical theater. I’ve little question numerous audiences will really feel the identical pleasure and awe I felt when this new imagining of The Wiz goes again on tour on the prime of 2025.
The mystique in Alan Mingo, Jr.’s efficiency of “Meet the Wizard” as The Wiz illustrates that even when Broadway casts go to the Tiny Desk out of costume and away from their units, they will’t assist however channel the physicality of the characters they painting eight occasions every week. Melody A. Betts’ Aunt Em gives a loving however agency correction of Dorothy (Nichelle Lewis) in “The Feeling We As soon as Had” that’s each heat and acquainted. Avery Wilson’s voice elastically dances up and down the notes in “You Can’t Win,” mimicking the way in which his limbs transfer because the Scarecrow. Phillip Johnson Richardson’s gut-wrenching efficiency of “What Would I Do If I May Really feel” could have your coronary heart bursting and make you wish to provide it to his Tinman. And the charming Kyle Ramar Freeman gave us all the final word false bravado and bluster of the Lion in “Imply Ole Lion.”
The present’s finale, “House,” was significantly particular for Virginia native Nichelle Lewis. Her weak efficiency had the viewers, which included her mom, cheering her on. As Lewis’ fellow forged members enveloped her in hugs after her efficiency, we have been reminded of the identical classes that Dorothy learns within the present: House isn’t only a bodily house, it’s the individuals who construct you up and love you.
SET LIST
- “The Feeling We As soon as Had”
- “Meet The Wizard”
- “You Can’t Win”
- “What Would I Do If I May Really feel”
- “Imply Ole Lion”
- “Ease On Down the Street – Reprise”
- “House”
MUSICIANS
- Nichelle Lewis: vocals as Dorothy
- Melody A. Betts: vocals as Aunt Em/Evillene
- Alan Mingo, Jr.: vocals as The Wiz
- Kyle Ramar Freeman: vocals as Lion
- Phillip Johnson Richardson: vocals as Tinman
- Avery Wilson: vocals as Scarecrow
- Paul Byssainthe Jr.: piano, musical course
- Trevor Holder: drums
- Michael Olatuja: bass
TINY DESK TEAM
- Producer: Mitra. I Arthur
- Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
- Audio Technical Director: Neil Tevault
- Host/Sequence Producer: Bobby Carter
- Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Maia Stern, Alanté Serene, Sofia Seidel
- Audio Engineer: Hannah Gluvna
- Manufacturing Assistant: Ashley Pointer
- Photographer: Michael Zamora
- Tiny Desk Group: Kara Body, Hazel Cills
- Govt Producer: Suraya Mohamed
- Sequence Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
- VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
