Photo provided by Jeremy Daniel

A half-century since “The Wiz” initially dazzled as a remarkable reimagining of “The Wizard Of Oz” by an entirely Black cast, it’s on the way back to revolutionize Broadway all over again, packed with even more perspective and spectacle than before.

In the meantime, the seven-time Tony Award winner turned movie, starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and so many more, is visiting the Cadillac Palace Theatre through Sunday, December 10, where it earned a roaring applause after practically every number throughout an empowering opening night.

Nichelle Lewis is pure gold in the lead role, alongside an exceptional cast starring Alan Mingo Jr. as The Wiz, Melody Betts as both Aunt Em and Evillene, The Wicked Witch of the West, Kyle Ramar Freeman as the Lion, Phillip Johnson Richardson as the Tinman, Avery Wilson as the Scarecrow, in addition to platinum artist Deborah Cox as Glinda, the Good Witch of the South.

Together, they bring to life an adventurous book by William F. Brown, a soulful and funky score by Charlie Smalls (amongst others), ballet meets jazz, pop and hip-hop choreography by JaQuel Knight, plus bold direction by Schele Williams.

Though “The Wiz” feels instantly familiar, if only for the long-established storyline of Dorothy facing her post-tornado hopes and fears with the help of those three distinctive personalities, there’s a noticeably fresh feeling as they “Ease On Down The [Yellow Brick] Road” towards the Emerald City in contemporary contexts.

Each newfound friend she meets on the journey, of course, has a spell that needs to be broken, but the insightful conversations they have about one another’s problems in the process are quite possibly as effective as the perceived powers of The Wiz, who they hope can solve them all, despite the continuous gaze of the Wicked Witch on a certain pair of sparkling silver shoes.

Unfortunately, the titular character doesn’t live up to the legend or his promises, but luckily, there’s also Glinda, who helps Dorothy in particular realize the inner strength she always possessed, which is a feeling so contagious, it’s bound to rub off on theatergoers as they find the way “Home” from another rousing revival of “The Wiz.”

“The Wiz” continues at the Cadillac Palace Theatre through Sunday, December 10. For additional details, visit WizMusical.com and BroadwayInChicago.com.

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