Equity Touring Production of The Wiz
Hilarious and Energetic Production
By: Aaron Krause - Oct 09, 2025
At least one thing is clear about the convincing and invigorating current equity touring production of the 1975 award-winning musical The Wiz – this is a rendition for the 21st century, and well beyond.
Afrofuturist Splendor on Stage
Undoubtedly, it’s a high-tech, sophisticated staging with plenty of eye candy and sincerity. Indeed, this production, under Schele Williams’ mostly solid direction, carries an Afrofuturistic flavor and an optimistic vibe that clearly celebrates Blackness. Yet there are shortcomings. Too often it is hard to make out Charlie Smalls’ lyrics during the roughly two-hour-and-25-minute show, which includes an intermission. It would also be nice to see Dorothy happily reunited with Aunt Em (a motherly Kyla Jade) when she finally returns to Kansas. And where was Uncle Henry? Additionally, unless you carefully read the cast lineup, it’s never crystal clear that performers portray the Yellow Brick Road.
When Lyrics Shine
The sound emanating from the stage at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, where the equity touring production remains through Sunday, is so strong that too many individual lyrics sometimes get lost. Fortunately, at least a few key lyrics come through clearly. They are from the refreshing and stirring number “Everybody Rejoice,” sung vibrantly toward the end of the show. Specifically, when the performers sing, “Can you feel a brand-new day?” we want to respond with a resounding “Yes!” Wisely, the cast performs an encore of “Everybody Rejoice” following bows.
A Revival Worth Savoring
Before that new day comes, we savor what stands out from this touring production of the reimagined Broadway revival that played a limited engagement on the Great White Way in 2024. The Wiz, a musical retelling of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz with an all-Black cast, premiered on Broadway in 1975. Despite an initial poor box office performance, it won seven Tony Awards and has since been adapted into a film, a television special, and multiple stage revivals. This production includes updates. For instance, 1970s street slang such as "Man, I have seen me some spaced-out garbage cans in my day," is gone."I wanted to write (a version) that kids can do 20 years from now, that you wouldn't read it and go, this is from [the 2020s]," adapter Amber Ruffin says in a feature story published in the program.
Another major change is that Dorothy is "roughly the same age" as the other seekers. "For her to be a young Black girl leading these people --that's fantastic," Ruffin said. "We wanted her to be the natural leader that she is."
The Journey Begins
The travelers along the Yellow Brick Road in this touring production seem to bond instantly. It is touching to watch them, arm in arm, forging ahead to Oz while spiritedly singing the familiar upbeat song, “Ease On Down the Road.”
Dorothy’s Heart and Strength
As Dorothy, Dana Cimone projects ingratiating optimism, plenty of energy—including a strong, clear, controlled, and expressive belt—and a calm, steady presence that makes her an ideal leader for her friends. Cimone’s Dorothy is a strong Black female character for whom it is easy to root. If there is a weakness, it’s that we never quite sense Dorothy is unsettled after the tornado whisks her away. She seems too content, too quickly. After all, Cimone’s Dorothy looks and sounds “at home” after her aunt reassures her during the opening scene, which includes a touching duet titled “The Feeling We Once Had” between Dorothy and Em.
The sight of Dorothy resting serenely against her aunt’s body will likely remind audience members of their own close relationships with loved ones. Even before the show begins, the closed curtain prepares us for a colorful, classy, and inclusive production. The curtain sports changing colors—yellow, black, blue, white, orange-red—perhaps suggesting diversity. Spokes or prongs point to the words The Wiz, written in yellow at the center. Are those spokes hands of people huddling in unison?
Meanwhile, squares at the top of the curtain suggest gadgets, phones, or other technological devices, hinting at the production’s Afrofuturistic flavor: high-tech, modern, and elaborate. In fact, the visuals are so complex you wonder how many trucks are needed to haul the machinery from city to city.
Friends Along the Road
The travelers on the Yellow Brick Road move lightly and agilely, full of pep and spirit. However, you may miss Toto, whom the program does not mention as a character.
As Tinman, D. Jerome seems looser after singing “Slide Some Oil to Me,” and his new friends comply. Those friends include Cowardly Lion, whom Cal Mitchell plays as more skittish than ferocious. Mitchell’s Lion habitually plays with his tail, suggesting nervousness. Meanwhile, Elijah Ahmad Lewis imbues Scarecrow with a carefree, somewhat simple nature before he sounds more sophisticated after the titular character (a charismatic Alan Mingo Jr.) “gives” him a brain.
Generally, the performers portraying Dorothy’s new chums are stronger collectively than as distinct individual characters. It would also have made sense for them to shed authentic tears before Dorothy must bid them goodbye; the farewell feels abrupt.
Witches and the Wiz
Among the witches, Sheherazade injects Glinda with warmth, calling to mind a reassuring fairy godmother, while Amitria Fanae endows Addaperle with endearing goodness. Contrastingly, Jade conveys mild evilness as Evillene but never really makes this villainess intimidating.
While Mingo lends the titular Wiz liveliness, he lacks gravitas, and there is little mystery about him. But toward the end, he injects The Wiz with ordinariness that makes sense after we learn the truth. Fittingly, this useless Wiz rides offstage in a trash bin—an afterthought once he cannot get Dorothy back home. The exterior reads “Emerald City Storage,” a smart behind-the-scenes touch that contributes to a generally solid production.
Design, Lighting, Sound, and Costumes
Other strong choices include lighting by Ryan J. O’Gara, which bathes the stage with color and energy. The lighting equipment moves at times, illuminating performers and enhancing mood. The video and projection design by Daniel Brodie is varied; at times it is difficult to tell where video ends and scenic design begins. Both blend seamlessly. Brodie designed the projections, while Hannah Beachler created the sets, sometimes picturesque, other times realistic. The costume design, by Sharen Davis, is varied and colorful and blends in well with the other technical elements.
Jon Weston’s sound design may partly account for unclear lyrics, but the live musicians might be playing slightly too loudly. Led by conductor/keyboardist Victor Simonson, they accompany the actors as they perform Smalls’ stirring music. It is not quite as memorable as the songs from The Wizard of Oz, the source material. The songs in The Wiz represent soul, gospel, R&B, rock, jazz, and ’70s funk. In addition to singing, the cast skillfully dances choreographer Jaquel Knight's character-defining moves with flair.
Lyrics That Resonate
From a lyrics standpoint, several are significant. Some are even contradictory. For instance, African Americans’ journey toward equality and improved race relations has hardly been as simple as easing on down the road. In fact, as far as we’ve come racially, we’ve regressed in recent years. Other simple yet meaningful lyrics, such as “If you believe in yourself, you can do anything,” are timely for obvious reasons.
Symbolism and Society
The Wiz is strong symbolically. The Yellow Brick Road serves as a metaphorical journey. Especially in today’s world, when society has regressed in race relations, one might view the Emerald City as a promised land for Blacks. The Lion’s search for courage could symbolize the bravery of African Americans speaking out against injustice. But obstacles remain: the gatekeeper and Oz’s townspeople laugh at and mock Dorothy and her friends as they seek the titular character.
While The Wiz features an all-Black cast, much of the story is universal. We seek adventure, our rightful place in the world, belief in ourselves, and triumph over evil.
A Brand-New Day
While the touring production dazzles with its high-tech look, and camaraderie is evident among the travelers, audience members deserve to hear and understand every word. Yet by the time the cast reaches the lyrics, “Can you feel a brand-new day,” the show has imbued us with a renewed sense of hope and energy. We leave reminded that our own journey toward improving society may begin with something small—a single step, perhaps, that can spark meaningful change.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Equity touring production of the award-winning musical classic, The Wiz.
WHEN: Through Oct. 12 in Miami.
WHERE: Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, 1300 Biscayne Blvd.
TICKETS: Visit https://www.arshtcenter.org. For more information about future touring stops, visit https://wizmusical.com.