Hellen I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much

Palaest recommended

Doomtomylo a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Mischa Redfern I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

MsHoneyBee Anyone who reviewed this high has not seen the original Wiz with Michael Jackson and Diana Ross.At first I had a few small complaints but when the crew decided they wouldn't go with Dorothy to kill the witch of the west I got furious. This whole show revolves around Dorothy being the backbone of the crew but each team member was very valuable, encouraged one another and made things happen. They were highly supportive and strong in their own right. This version has everyone being a coward!The reason I love the Wiz (1978) was because it was a story about overcoming the things that make us weak. For instance, the scarecrow thought he was dumb because he didn't have a brain but he was the smartest person in the bunch. In the live version the scarecrow was literally scared all the time and dumb for real. The Wiz (1978) showed us that what we need is inside of us and we don't need to rely on anyone else. In this version, everyone relied on Dorothy!This was a star studded abomination of the original Wiz movie. I can't speak for the Broadway play but compared to the movie there is no comparison.The best actors were Mary J because she was JUST like the 1978 version Evilene, David Allen Greer (he carried Dorothy and the Scarecrow), Ne-Yo did an amazing job singing, which he is already pretty good at, and a pretty good job acting. I appreciate them for taking some of the original songs from the movie, and some dance numbers were good.Did they not get permission to use some elements of the movie? They left out some very key ideas and items that I missed, like the Yellow Brick Cabs, the real Crow Commandments (Thou shall honor all crows....), AND WHERE WAS TOTO????They tried to modernize this and ruined it. I will stick to the 1978 movie version. Diana Ross, Lena Horne, Michael Jackson, and so many others did a much better job!

johnat_one I am amazed at the reviewer who make the claim and that David Alan Grier as the lion was OK but not sure if he were Broadway material. That is laughable firstly because he was probably the best actor in the whole production of the Wiz live! And gave the necessary histrionics that were needed for this theatrical production. Secondly, he has been in several Broadway plays and musicals as the star and actually was nominated for a Tony for Best Male performance in his very first outing in a Broadway musical playing Jackie Robinson the famed baseball player. I feel that this production of The Wiz was flawed but had much to recommend it. Shanice is an up and coming star and has a wonderful voice. If she were only slightly occasionally off key, it was probably due to nerves. Anyone in their first production and a live televised one at that would probably have a case of the nerves. My main fault with this production is what it has been for the other NBC live productions: the producers should be less concerned with ratings by placing pop stars in the major roles and place more emphasis on the acting by getting solid, proved actors to play the lead roles. Mary J Blige is not an actress. Queen Latifah, although having starred in several films, was totally miscast as the Wiz. I thought the actor who played the scarecrow was quite weak. However Neyo as the tin-man proved to be one of the better actors and singers as well. Overall not bad! Certainly a better production, though not smooth in its execution, then the past two. Maybe they are getting better as they go and the next will far exceed even this one. We can only hope!

duraflex Started out okay but after 95 minutes, we had enough. We waited for the Wizard to show up but that was a big let down and we tuned out.Staging and dancing was interesting but most vocals and orchestrations were thin - not nearly as good as the Broadway cast album from the 1970s. Stephanie Mills was fantastic in the lead role way back then and she really owns the role. She made a great Auntie Em this time around.The costumes, sets and lighting were imaginative but above all, this production needed a much better Dorothy. She was too tall, too old, only a fair singer and hardly a dancer. The young woman always looked angry and has absolutely zero charisma.Queen Latifah as the Wizard was an interesting choice but I was disappointed in the lack of energy she brought to the role.Overall, this WIZ lacked the fun and charm of the 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz".I'll eventually try and find the closing rendition of "HOME" on line but probably won't be watching the inevitable rerun. Will not be buying the DVD.

atlasmb With a stellar cast, you might wonder how this production could be anything but great. Well, it starts off somewhat shakily.The story is rooted in the 1939 classic film, though there are substantial changes--including the entire song list. But it is best to evaluate this work on its own, without comparisons to the MGM classic. It is easy to miss the film's "Over the Rainbow" barnyard ballad, but the viewer quickly gets past that if he accepts the new sensibilities of this modernized version, with its less stringent grammar.But the beginning is plagued with a very obvious camera in frame. And the dance of the dust devils feels like nothing more than a time filler. And there is a product placement that draws the viewer away from the story. Overall, the first scene lacks magic. Granted Dorothy is not yet in a magical land, but it doesn't grab the audience's attention. Then, the Winkies dance in costumes ill-designed for dance.Fear not. The best is yet to come. Indeed, this live performance exceeds expectations and gains momentum throughout the telecast. By the time we meet the Tin Man, "The Wiz" hits its stride.With only an occasional misstep, the remainder of the show is stirring, clever and filled with great musical performances. ("Believe in Yourself"--a predictably strong musical number--does fall a little short due to straining on the high notes). Another criticism is the inclusion of religious imagery in the dialogue and lyrics. This serves to undermine the story's message--look to yourself for strength.I don't mean to sound too critical, because this is a show worth seeing. Take out that camera reveal, and this could be an annual favorite.7/14/16: Received six Emmy nominations.