THEATRICAL THROWBACK THURSDAY: THE WIZ Eases On Down Many Magical Roads For 40 Years

In acknowledgement of the many exciting news items this week pertaining to THE WIZ, it is the topic of today's tribute.

Ease On Down

For every generation, THE WIZARD OF OZ holds a special place in each and everyone's hearts. Whether you first viewed the film as a child or even as a teenager or adult, the perennial tale of a Kansas farm girl being whisked off to a magical land named Oz populated by witches, wizards, munchkins, monkeys and other walking, talking animals is timeless. And, just as each generation discovered THE WIZARD OF OZ and uncovers its myriad joys, so, too, does an enterprising creative artist attempt to devise a new take on the tale specifically designed for the zeitgeist. Of course, L. Frank Baum's seminal 1900 story had been adapted into various stage plays and even films prior to the iconic MGM classic starring Judy Garland, so the desire to adapt the material is seemingly old as the tale itself. Given its magical leaning and predisposition for musicalization, it comes as no surprise - especially to the entertainment enthusiasts among us - that there have been several attempts to bring the story to the stage and screen with fresh scenes and ear-grabbing sounds. Perhaps no other adaptation of the story does that more effectively since the legendary 1939 film than Tony Award-winning Best Musical THE WIZ.

Begun with an idea hatched by producer Ken Harper, THE WIZ suffered a bumpy road to Broadway, with director Gilbert Moses being replaced by Geoffrey Holder during the out of town tryouts for the show in 1974, but the R&B/funk-flecked musical eventually opened at the Majestic Theatre on Broadway in January of 1975. Nonetheless, the show was not an instant hit and nearly closed immediately following opening night, yet Harper kept the faith in the Charlie Smalls-composed show and funded a TV commercial showcasing the standout from the score, instant earworm "Ease On Down The Road". Boasting a brilliantly talented cast which included eventual Tony Award-winners Dee Dee Bridgewater and Ted Ross along with Andre De Shields, Stephanie Mills, Hinton Battle, Mabel King and many more, the show soon became a hot ticket and eventually went on to claim several 1975 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

Now, with the breaking news of music superstars and familiar movie musical faces Queen Latifah and Mary J. Blige joining the ranks of the upcoming hotly anticipated NBC live presentation set for this December, titled THE WIZ LIVE!, it is the ideal time to look back at what made THE WIZ work so well way back in 1975 and endure for 40 years since. Plus, as BroadwayWorld reported earlier this week, the original cast will be re-teaming for a 40th anniversary celebration next month in NYC, as well.

So, ease on back to 1975 and check out THE WIZ dominating many categories on that year's Tony Awards.

So, what upcoming event related to THE WIZ are you most excited about - the star-studded original cast reunion next month or the big NBC live telecast later this year? Given that it is also the show's 40th anniversary, it certainly seems as though the theatrical throwback topic of all of 2015 could very well be THE WIZ, which is nothing if not good news.