The Wiz Brings Soulful Magic to Kansas City-With a Gospel-Funk Heartbeat
Kansas City Music Hall is feeling a whole lot more soulful this week, thanks to the national tour of The Wiz (July 8-13).
This revival takes the classic 1970s hit and gives it 21st-century energy, fusing gospel, funk, and R&B with a timeless story. This time around, Dorothy isn’t the usual farm girl. Instead, she’s an inner-city teen tossed into rural Kansas – a change that works surprisingly well. That “stranger in a strange land” angle adds real depth, especially in today’s world.
Dana Cimone plays Dorothy with honesty and warmth. Her voice is innocent yet expressive, but it’s her emotional delivery that touches you. The duet with Aunt Em at the top of the show as the winds pick up and the laundry begins waving from the approaching storm, was especially moving to me-it stood out as a highlight. In that moment, Cimone and Kyla Jade (Aunt Em) deliver a powerful, heartfelt performance that feels like a tribute to the unbreakable bond between family members separated by distance but brought together when tragedy strikes and leaves a child without parents. Jade’s vocals are gospel-infused and wise – full of the kind of love that’s more “tough and real” than sweet and sentimental.
Dorothy’s journey is shared with three companions who each light up the stage. Elijah Ahmad Lewis is fantastic as the Scarecrow: floppy-limbed, funny, and sharp in the tradition of Eddie Murphy. Then there’s D. Jerome who gives the Tin Man real heart and soul, especially in “What Would I Do If I Could Feel.” And Cal Mitchell as the Lion? Hilarious. He doesn’t just lack courage but is a little goofy, funny, and charming, and totally wins over the audience.
Alan Mingo Jr. brings a cool, smooth energy to the Wiz himself, and Sheherazade shines as Glinda-part Beyoncé, part fairy godmother. Her “Believe in Yourself” is a late-show highlight. And Kyla Jade returns as the villain Evillene, showing her vocal range and stage presence in a big way. The ensemble, including Maati Kheprimeni Angaza, brings consistent energy and heart to every number.
Both the famous original movie (1939) adaptation of L Frank Baum’s children’s book and the construction of the Music Hall (1936) came at a particular moment in history. At intermission, I noticed that the musical and the Music Hall shared Art Deco design elements unique to American architecture of the time. That made the set feel authentic to the original, as opposed to Wicked.
The set design leans on CGI backdrops–bright and imaginative, relying on simplicity. Compared to Branson’s Sight & Sound Theater, which is in a league of its own when it comes to spectacle, this touring Broadway production is more scaled down. But that’s not a bad thing–it just means the heart of the show has to carry the weight. And it does.
What about the tornado?
And what about the iconic tornado scene? It’s still there, this time performed by a whirlwind of dancers, swirling and spinning in a tightly choreographed maelstrom. I seldom turn to the page to lighting design, projection design, and scenic design, but I did last night when reading the playbill. Hats off to Hannah Beachler, Ryan J. O’Gara, and Daniel Brodie. There’s no wood twister rolled across the stage here, yet the dance number fills that stage with motion and energy. With flowing fabric and brief flashes illuminating for an instant the twister projected onto the backdrop, the effect is simple, not high-tech. My husband even turned to me and whispered, “Now, that’s cool!”
The original Wizard of Oz wasn’t a spiritual lesson but an allegory for kids about individualism vs industrialization. This production isn’t religious either, but it stands out from the other more well-known production of “Wicked”. In The Wiz, there’s no strong religious angle or darker modern social commentary, but you sense faith in Aunt Em and the core values: loyalty, kindness, courage, and heart-yes, rooted in gospel tradition. It doesn’t push faith, but subtly affirms it.
The Wiz may not have all the dazzle of towering sets, but it shines where it counts: in the music, the message, and the soul. Gospel meets funk, joy meets grit, and by the end, you’ll feel like you’ve taken a journey home.
Purchase your tickets HERE.
–Anita Widaman | Metro Voice Entertainment Editor
