One afternoon the Tiny Desk traveled to Emerald Metropolis. Or moderately, we bought to fulfill the solid 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 screen 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 doubt 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’ll’t assist however channel the physicality of the characters they painting eight instances per week. Melody A. Betts’ Aunt Em supplies 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 Might Really feel” may have your coronary heart bursting and make you need to provide it to his Tinman. And the charming Kyle Ramar Freeman gave us all the last word false bravado and bluster of the Lion in “Imply Ole Lion.”
The present’s finale, “House,” was notably particular for Virginia native Nichelle Lewis. Her weak efficiency had the viewers, which included her mom, cheering her on. As Lewis’ fellow solid members enveloped her in hugs after her efficiency, we had 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 Might 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 path
- Trevor Holder: drums
- Michael Olatuja: bass
TINY DESK TEAM
- Producer: Mitra. I Arthur
- Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
- Audio Technical Director: Neil Tevault
- Host/Collection 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 Staff: Kara Body, Hazel Cills
- Govt Producer: Suraya Mohamed
- Collection Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
- VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
