Phenomenal is the best word I can use to describe the opening night of The Wiz, which was held at the Dr. Phillips Center in downtown Orlando from September 30th to October 5th. This is my third time seeing a Broadway show at the Dr. Phillips Center, and every time, I feel transported to New York. The performing arts center does an excellent job of creating a safe space for the arts and cultivating an inclusive, clean, and professional environment. From the staff to the security, I always feel welcomed. The snack bar is on the higher end, considering you can only purchase small items like candy, chocolate-covered pretzels, and cheese charcuterie boxes, so be prepared to spend a little more here if you need a snack before or after dinner.
I love it when a show creates a safe place for people to indulge in the storyline. Throughout the show, you can see how the cast members are close and push each other to perform as one unit. From the main characters to the ensemble, everybody was on point! I felt proud to be a Black woman and to see so many references and inside jokes that only we as Black people would and should get-hearing AAVE being used and not abused. I never felt like I was watching a mockery of our culture but a celebration of who we are and what we represent. Before the show, we spoke to the merchandise team for The Wiz: Belén and Klevar. They mentioned to us that the show had just finished in New Orleans before touring to Orlando. We appreciated the nod to New Orleans culture in Emerald City! Everybody was ready to get up and dance throughout the show.
Truly, I can’t pinpoint a singular actor or dancer in the show because everybody mixed so well together as a whole. It is rare to see a cast so equally yoked . Each actor/actress’s voice radiated throughout the entire Dr. Phillips Center. As a dancer, I am usually critical and overanalyze choreography. There wasn’t one time I felt like the dancing and the choreography didn’t work well. When working with other professionals, you can build a solid piece of choreography that showcases each dancer’s ability. That is one thing Broadway shows do well : they separate the professionals from the beginners. At the price point for the tickets, you will definitely get your money’s worth. The Wiz is touring to Miami, Tampa, and West Palm Beach, Florida. I rate this musical a 15/10.
