Kyle Ramar Freeman as the Lion, Avery Wilson as the Scarecrow, Nichelle Lewis as Dorothy, Phillip Johnson Richardson as the Tinman in the current national tour of “The Wiz.” Photo: Jeremy Daniel
If you’re off to see the Wizard this week, you’re in luck. The candy-colored, razzle-dazzle revival of the 1974 musical “The Wiz” runs through Sunday at the Des Moines Civic Center. It’s touring the country on the way to Broadway, like Team Dorothy on their way to the Emerald City.
For Tuesday’s opening, several understudies stepped into starring roles, including Dorothy’s, and — golly, Aunt Em! — if those were the backups, we can only imagine how the main stars shine. The cast has more talent than poppies in a field.
The visual effects are eye-popping, too, with colorful costumes and a kaleidoscopic video backdrop. When the Kansas tornado rips apart the first scene’s Grant Wood-y background, it’s hard to differentiate between dry ice and digital clouds. The storm swallows the entire stage in a green swirl. Stay tuned later for the swanky Emerald City and the Wicked Witch’s fiery factory.
If you plan to go, check out the new podcast that Des Moines Performing Arts launched earlier this week. Its first 15-minute episode features a chat with DMPA President and CEO Jeff Chelesvig and “Wiz” director Schele Williams about her personal connections to the iconic show.
