The Wiz at The Coterie Winter 2013-14

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The Coterie is Kansas City's destination for imaginative, vibrant, energetic, family-friendly theatre. With their latest production, The Wiz (returning after a successful 2011 run with the same lead cast), the Coterie continues their tradition of innovative, entertaining, and creative theatre that is fun for children and adults.

As a mom who finds herself frequenting children's shows, it is always a joy when I find humor and entertainment in the production right along with my kids. And, that is one of The Coterie's strengths. 

This week, I took my girls to a showing of The Wiz, an abbreviated version of the 1975 Broadway musical offering a :multi-cultural view of Oz with a soulful twist." The Wiz turned film in the  1978 movie starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson and it featured many popular songs, the most famous being Ease on Down the Road.

The Wizard of Oz is one of the most popular stories ever told, with an even stronger popularity in this region where it is undoubtedly the most famous literary reference for Kansas ever made. Over the years, the book has made its way into the hearts and minds of families in film, book, cartoon, puppet, and stage productions. The classic, The Wizard of Oz  starring Judy Garland is the penultimate family film, enjoyed for 75 years this year. For fans who think they know the story forward and back, it is refreshing to see a "newer" twist on the tale. And, personally, I enjoyed the stage production of The Wiz over the film - in part because the abbreviated time length cut out some of the more cumbersome scenes, and because The Coterie was wise to update some of the material to an audience who may not be familiar with 1970s slang.

The Wiz begins with the cast leading the audience through the moves of The Hustle,  setting the tone for a fun-filled disco-era adventure through a 1970s-Harlem-inspired Land of Oz. 

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Dorothy's adventure is fast paced and heart-felt, with Emily Shackelford leading the cast as Dorothy. Emily's voice is beautiful and pure, and her acting is superb, as she convincingly becomes best friend to Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion on her journey back to Kansas. Tosin Morohunfola as the Scarecrow is a master of physical comedy and timing, and he is quite endearing as the "brainless" sidekick. Brad Shaw, the Tin Man, is a terrific singer and dancer, but also an extremely talented costume designer. His costume designs for the show helped create the spirit of this new Oz and embodied the each of the unique characters well. Christopher Barksdale played one of the most hysterical parts as the Lion - my girls were quoting many of his lines at dinner as they reported to their dad about all the fun of the show. The Wiz, portrayed by Damron Russel Armstrong, comes across a mix of DJ / Elvis Impersonator. Nedra Dixon was wonderful as Aunt Em and Glinda, and Enjoli Gavin was a riot as two witches. My girls won't soon forget the appearance of the Wicked Witch of the West, wearing not a pointy hat on her head but a propped up roll of toilet paper! 

The cast is extremely energetic and captivating in their parts, creating a humorous, musical, and adventurous tale right before your eyes. The small scale of The Coterie, and the intimacy of the theatre (the children sit in front of the stage on the floor, with adults in stadium seating behind), created the feeling that you, the audience, truly were in Oz along with Dorothy and her friends - a marvelous experience for the whole family.

My girls give the show two thumbs up! This is one of the most creative and vibrant shows of the season!

The Wiz is part of the Elementary and Family series. Showing thru January 5, 2014. Tickets are $12 Senior & Youth/Student, $17 Adult.