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Ease On Down the Road with Emerald City Theatre's The Wiz

April 27, 2017

Your family will “Ease on down the road” with the music you know and love in this adaptation of The Wiz, based on the classic tale, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum and popularized by the 1978 film of the same name. Culminating Emerald City Theatre’s 20th Season, fans of all ages will follow Dorothy’s exploration of love, home, and family through a magical musical mixture of rock, gospel, and soul in a fantastical Chicago setting.

My family and I saw the show last weekend and really enjoyed it. The set and costumes were all reminiscent of the story we all know and love, but with a new, creative look for this Chicago version. I'm always impressed with the creativity behind Emerald City Theatre sets and The Wiz did not disappoint!

But now on to those characters we all know and love! Leon Evans was a funny, energetic Scarecrow, Jar’Davion Brown's TinMan had me dancing in my seat and Miguel Long gave the Lion a hilarious, sassy attitude. The witches, Aziza Macklin (Glinda), Tuesdai B. Perry (Addaperle) and Deanalís Resto (Evillene), were all glorious divas who loved to strut their stuff! And Dorothy, played by ChiArts senior Isis Elizabeth, was beautifully done. Ms. Elizabeth more than held her own on stage with adult actors and I can't wait to see where her talent takes her.

The Wiz is running now through June 8 at the Apollo Theater in Lincoln Park. Tickets start at $19 and are available online or through the Apollo Theater box office at 773.935.6100.

Disclosure: I was comped 3 tickets to the show to facilitate this review, but all opinions are my own.