News/ Reviews on Dutch version of The Wiz...?
News/ Reviews on Dutch version of The Wiz...?
#1News/ Reviews on Dutch version of The Wiz...?
Posted: 12/29/06 at 1:32pm
I recently checked out the Wiz(NL) fansite and it looked as if a couple of the leads--Danny Yanga, specifically-- had been replaced.
Does anyone have updates on this show...is Nurlaila still playing Dorothy?
Any news will be much appreciated.
neddyfrank2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/05
#2re: News/ Reviews on Dutch version of The Wiz...?
Posted: 12/29/06 at 1:36pmWHo the heck is Nurlaila?
#2re: News/ Reviews on Dutch version of The Wiz...?
Posted: 12/29/06 at 2:01pm
Yeah, specifics are nice sometimes...
http://www.nurlailakarim.nl/
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
Borstalboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/9/04
#3re: News/ Reviews on Dutch version of The Wiz...?
Posted: 12/29/06 at 2:06pmHands down the funniest thread ever!
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
~ Muhammad Ali
#4re: News/ Reviews on Dutch version of The Wiz...?
Posted: 12/29/06 at 2:06pm
Nurlaila Karim is an amazing Dutch performer, Dorothy in the show. check out some of the earlier bww posts/links on this topic and you can get the idea. www.wizfansite.nl
I don't speak the language, but it doesn't matter!
neddyfrank2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/05
#5re: News/ Reviews on Dutch version of The Wiz...?
Posted: 12/29/06 at 2:10pmWhat do you mean you don't speak the language but it doesn't matter? If you don't speak the language you can't understand a damn thing on the website!
purpleprince101
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/19/06
JasonM12480
Broadway Star Joined: 3/17/05
#7re: News/ Reviews on Dutch version of The Wiz...?
Posted: 2/14/07 at 8:37pm
I know it's been quite some time since anyone has posted about the recent LaJolla revival of "The Wiz", and this Dutch version that is pretty recent as well. I was lucky enough to hop onto a Dutch website and order the Dutch cast recording, and I HAD to post a review, as it is one of the most fun, upbeat, well-sung recordings that Broadway may sadly never hear. If you're a cast recording collector, you should definately add this one to your shelf. And even if you don't speak Dutch, but know "The Wiz" really well - it is still enjoyable.
First off, I would say that this Dutch recording is a fairly faithful re-creation of the original stage version, with some of the movie orchestrations (by the fabulous Quincy Jones) thrown in, and add a little funk by today's standards, and - VOILA! - you have a great sounding score appropriate for today's modern audiences.
Dorothy is played by Nurlaila Karim. Karim posses an absolutely incredible voice - some Broadway singers could take a lesson or two from this young singer. She handles the role of Dorothy with tenderness and massive power. "Be A Lion" and "Home" knock the listener through the roof, and I can only imagine how sitting in a theater and seeing her sing live would feel.
The scarecrow (or "Vogelverschrikker") is played by Danny Yanga. Great tenor voice, clear and expressive. "I Was Born On The Day Before Yesterday" has been updated a bit, and the key has been changed from the original key of G to B-flat to accomodate Danny's glorious tenor. Tin Man ("Blikkeman") is played by Jerrel Houtsnee - nice baritone voice. "Slide Some Oil To Me" is a great mix of both the original arrangement, with the dance break and ending directly from the movie (some nice tapping thrown in!) The Lion ("Laffe Leeuw") is played by Jeroen Phaff, and has a tremendous voice. Again, "Be A Lion", one of my personal favorites from the show, is a great highlight of the recording (a touch too fast for my taste, but still great, nonetheless).
The Wiz himself is played by Danny de Munk, who, judging from the pictures in the booklet, is a tall skinny white guy with a very smokey voice, not the original sassy Andre' De Sheilds we all know and love, but he handles his two songs ("So You Wanted To Meet The Wizard", or "Wou jij zien wie dan wel de Wiz is" and "Ya'll Got It" or "De groeten") with funk, soul, and confidence. The witches, Addapearle (or Acadabra as she's called in this production), Glinda and Evilene (Sadista in this) are all really fun. Sadista is also a caucasian woman, judging from the photos, but she brings the house down with "Don't Nobody Bring Me No Bad News", and all I have to say is that she does a very entertaining tribute to Miss Jennifer Holiday at the end of the song, that, unless you're musical theater-savvy, you might not catch. Very entertaining, indeed.
The ensemble adds some much-needed choral "oomf" in places that never had it before.
Simply listening to this recording makes you envision what a smart, fun, and innovative production this must be - the costumes, sets, and whole feel of the production feel right; much more than the LaJolla production did, with its "too updated" feel, and gimmicks, such as the Toto cam. I have always said that people in other countries who produce American musicals tend to take it more seriously and "get it right" than even we, as Americans, do. You could basically pluck this cast and production up from the Netherlands, throw them on a New York stage, and I think you'd have a huge, long-running hit on your hands.
It is a shame a production like this will probably never come to Broadway - but listening to this exciting cast recording is an ode to what today's Broadway revivals should be.
neddyfrank2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/05
#8re: News/ Reviews on Dutch version of The Wiz...?
Posted: 2/14/07 at 8:42pmJasonM- When did you see La Jolla's version?
husk_charmer
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/19/06
#9re: News/ Reviews on Dutch version of The Wiz...?
Posted: 2/14/07 at 8:47pm
JasonM-
I think you were spot on with the review of the new Dutch recording...there are actually a few interesting moments where they speak English...
I do wish that they would bring this over to the US, much more so than the La Jolla (Although I didn't see either, the pics for the Dutch are neater)
http://www.youtube.com/huskcharmer
neddyfrank2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/05
#10re: News/ Reviews on Dutch version of The Wiz...?
Posted: 2/14/07 at 8:51pmYou are judging which show should come to New York based on pictures?
#11re: News/ Reviews on Dutch version of The Wiz...?
Posted: 2/14/07 at 8:52pmNurlaila is a mythical princess, duh.
One time, Patti LuPone punched me in the face...
It was awesome. - theaterkid1015
It was awesome. - theaterkid1015
husk_charmer
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/19/06
#12re: News/ Reviews on Dutch version of The Wiz...?
Posted: 2/14/07 at 9:35pm
Yes, NeddyFrank, I am (And off the performances seen on the unamable site). And for the following reasons:
1) The Dutch Version has more of the feel that the original had
2) There are only minor revisions
3) Des McAnuf is not involved (Not a fan of him as a director)
4) It's visually more striking
5) No TotoCam
http://www.youtube.com/huskcharmer
neddyfrank2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/05
#13re: News/ Reviews on Dutch version of The Wiz...?
Posted: 2/14/07 at 9:37pmToToCAm was in The Wiz for a total of *drumroll* 46 seconds (and that is the exact time)!
husk_charmer
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/19/06
#14re: News/ Reviews on Dutch version of The Wiz...?
Posted: 2/14/07 at 9:39pmNeddy, I didn't see it, other than picutres. I also LOATHE it when Toto is a person, it really distracts me from it.
http://www.youtube.com/huskcharmer
neddyfrank2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/05
#15re: News/ Reviews on Dutch version of The Wiz...?
Posted: 2/14/07 at 9:41pm
Yes I realize that.
1) The Dutch Version has more of the feel that the original had
Did you see the original
husk_charmer
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/19/06
#16re: News/ Reviews on Dutch version of The Wiz...?
Posted: 2/14/07 at 9:45pmSadly, no, but I've been fairly immersed in it after writing about it as one of my three papers in Musical Theatre...including getting in touch with members of the creative team. So I feel confident in my statement.
http://www.youtube.com/huskcharmer
#17re: News/ Reviews on Dutch version of The Wiz...?
Posted: 2/14/07 at 10:05pmI *did* see the original, and from what I can see of both the LaJolla and Netherlands versions, the latter *is* closer to the visual feel. The LaJolla is just trying too hard to be "different", while the Netherlands one just says, "Look, we all know this is kitchy, so go with it".
http://docandraider.com
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#18re: News/ Reviews on Dutch version of The Wiz...?
Posted: 2/15/07 at 12:25pm
I go to the netherlands version of The wiz, i live in the netherlands and i go for my idol Jamai Loman.
He was the winner from the Dutch Idols.
I think that te musical is fun but i think is not so great..I go only for Jamai that i see him.
Sorry if my englisch is not so good.
Jamai loman plays now The Wiz and Danny de Munk is away in the wiz. Jamai plays The scarecrow too.
The website of jamai his fanclub is www.jamai.net and this site is underconstruction www.jamai.nl
If you will more info about the wiz in Holland you can ask me. I have pictures an movies from the netherlands Wiz but i cant send only by mail...sorry...
BSoBW2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/8/04
#19re: News/ Reviews on Dutch version of The Wiz...?
Posted: 2/15/07 at 12:38pm
Nurlaila is extremely talented and does an even better version of Thuis (Home)...which can be seen on YT...along with Ease on Down the Road...than Stephanie Mills.
Yeah, I went there.
Updated On: 2/15/07 at 12:38 PM
#20re: News/ Reviews on Dutch version of The Wiz...?
Posted: 2/15/07 at 6:09pm
Dear All,
Thank you for all remarks about the Dutch Wiz. Unfortunately it is not possible to show you the whole show but when you are in Holland it is worth to pay the show a visit. I will do the same when I am in the States.
On the fansite www.wizfansite.nl can you find some clips in the picture video part and also some pictures of the persons mentioned here. We would be happy to welcome you as our honoured guest.
I will visit this site regurlarly and have bookmarked it.
Best regards,
Rob de Haan
Webmaster www.wizfansite.nl
P.s. sorry for my somewhat shaky english.
The link of the dutch fansite of The Wiz
#21re: News/ Reviews on Dutch version of The Wiz...?
Posted: 2/15/07 at 6:12pm
The whole cast is still in its original state.
Dorothy : Nurlaila Karim
Tinman: Jerrel Houtsnee
Scare Crow: Danny Yanga
Lion: Peter Rijnbeek who shared the role with Jeroen Phaff who will now be one of the cast members of the Dutch Tarzan.
Feel free to visit the fansite. This is up to date.
P.s. The understudy of Nurlaila Karim os Tashka Cijntje. She is very talented and gifted with a beautiful voice.
The fansite of the Dutch Wiz
Updated On: 2/15/07 at 06:12 PM
Lance2
Understudy Joined: 1/19/07
#22re: News/ Reviews on Dutch version of The Wiz...?
Posted: 2/15/07 at 8:21pm
I wrote the following review of the Dutch version of the Wiz after one of the last previews. I posted it originally on a dutch musicalboard but i translated it into english to post here.
I have to agree that the dutch cast recording is amazing, it even made me doubt my own review. 
There's a storm in Kansas, the place where Dorothy lives with her aunt Em and matching uncle. In the eye of the storm aunt Em lets Dorothy know how much se loves her and what she means to her. When the storm strikes again everyone manages to get to the basement except for Dorothy. The house is lifted up in the air to land in the Land of Oz. When Acadabra (Originally: Miss One) gives her two shiny silver shoes she is on her way to the powerful Wiz along the yellow brick road. On her journey she meets the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the cowardly Lion who seek for a brain, a heart and courage. What follows is an adventure that isn’t actually an adventure but probably has a happy ending…
The Wiz is the second production director Glenn Casale made in Holland (also Beauty and the Beast). He has a patent on making large scale children’s musicals and with The Wiz he succeeded in making yet another. Casale doesn’t manage to get more out of the story then we’ve seen before. There is no scene where you feel the excitement or tension. He doesn’t dare to let his characters suffer so every problem dissolves into a non-problem or a problem that is easily solved in several minutes. In Holland not everyone knows the story by heart, but they all know that it’s about a girl named Dorothy and her friends and what they all really want, they just don’t know exactly how they’re going to get it. It would be interesting if you would be on the edge of your seat because you want to know what is going to happen, but before you even have a change to get on the edge of your seat the problem is fixed. The best part of the Wiz is that the choreography by Anthony van Laast takes a big part of what happens on stage. His staging and dancing makes you want to dance to in all these styles he used for the Wiz. Although it’s a pity that the Winkieballet makes you feel like the Dance of the Robe from Aida and the ballet in Emerald city is a copy of the Rich Man’s Frug from Sweet Charity. And unfortunately no-one would miss the sensual pole-dancing poppy’s if they weren’t there... The dutch translation and reworking of the script comes from Martine Bijl who has also translated Aida, The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast. Even though the translation of the Wiz is better than her nog-so-good translation of Beauty and the Beast she still manages to come out with sentences that no-one has ever heard and will never hear again. Ease on down the Road is translated as Just Go and I was constantly wondering: Just go where? And I also wondered why the constantly sang that you have to keep your hands clean? The reworking of the script means that Martine Bijl has put in a lot of new ‘jokes’. Unfortunately none of them are funny, so thinks the audience since few people laughed when I was there.
The very best part of this production of The Wiz is the setdesign. David Gallo made a marvellous set that suck you into the arty world of Oz from the grey set of Kansas to the magnificent entrance of the Wiz on a big eyeball. His sets for Beauty and the Beast (same director) were beautiful, but his work for the Wiz beats it even with the Smart-Car and everyting else they used to update it all. The bright colors of lighting designer Thomas C. Hase makes everything come alive. Miquel Angel Huidor made wonderful retro costumes but some of his designs are part of what makes this show so childish. Of cours the shows has an amazing Motown score that comes alive in the new century by the new orchestrations. The arrival in Emerald City with the perfect chorus just gives Oz a Stepford-feel that makes it all a little creepy.
You can’t blame the cast, because they are magnificent (for the most part). Nurlaila (Mimi in Rent) shows the world what a great singer she is after we didn’t hear a lot from her for a couple of yours. Jeroen Phaff (Anatoly in Chess) makes the cowardly lion more fun than before and especially his classic voice makes it just wonderful. I’ve never been a big fan of Danny the Munk (Eddie in Blood Blothers), but to be honest: I was impressed. He’s a good Wiz and you really feel sorry for him they unmask him. Marjolein Touw (Mama Morton in Chicago) is the best part of the whole cast. She only has a max of ten minutes in which she has to take the stage and make it hers… And she does. Her dialogues make her seem like a selfish kid that’s not so smart, but her song Geen Geik (No complaining) is a showstopper even with the strange lyrics. At the End of the show Glinda appears in the form of Mathilde Santing (pop singer) to meddle in Dorothy’s affairs. In her silver dress, with little golden coat and red wig she tells Dorothy that she could have gone Home since the moment she put those silver slippers on. She couldn’t sing the music and you want to hear her sing you should attend one of her concerts or listen to one of her cd’s because this woman really can sing… Just not this kind of music. The part of Glinda is so small that it’s perfect for some stuntcasting which has happened since the show opened. Two Dutch contestants of the Eurovision Song Contest share the role with Mathilde Santing right now.
I didn’t know what to expect when I went to see the Wiz. I hadn’t heard much more than just a few promotional songs and there weren’t any images from the stage show at that time. It’s starts out great in Kansas, but when you arrive in Oz and you see the little ones it’s a painful reality that this show is meant for school trips and birthday party’s. The show bumps along to the finale where Dorothy sings an amazing Home before the curtain falls. The audience doesn’t know what to do and for a few seconds it’s quiet. Then the curtain rises again and the cast bows which probably means the show is over and we can only guess that Dorothy has gotten back home to embrace aunt Em know that she really knows where she belongs.
The show is over and we can finally go… Home.
#23re: News/ Reviews on Dutch version of The Wiz...?
Posted: 3/10/07 at 3:56am
Well if you do not speak Dutch, lots of people do speak English. Maybe not the best way but enough to make you understand. So feel free and check the small streams. I love to see musicals in different languages especially when I have seen the musical before. Ever heared Aida in Japanese ? More classic then the USA or dutch version. The German version, still on tour with Aida performed by the talented Ana Milva Gomes ( www.anamilva.nl ), is a little bit more classic.
So if you are in Europe or even visit Holland. Drop a line and I am sure you will meet a fan.
Kind regards,
Rob
Updated On: 3/10/07 at 03:56 AM
sondhead
Broadway Star Joined: 10/25/06
#24re: News/ Reviews on Dutch version of The Wiz...?
Posted: 3/10/07 at 9:00am
Everybody who can get this CD. It's challenging, because the only place I can find that sells it is completely in Dutch, but its fabulous. It's leaps and bounds the best foreign cast recording I've ever heard. Nuralia is pretty astounding as Dorothy as are many of the arrangements (though if it were me I'd take out the Salsa break in Brand New Day.. if you're gonna do it leave it to So You Wanted to Meet the Wizard). The physical production looks pretty over the top (which, husk, is specifically not in the vain of the original) but the song arrangements are lovely.
That glowing review aside, here are some things that made me giggle.
The dutch version of Ease on Down the Road literally translates to Go Now, Down the Road Calmly
The dutch version of Mean Ole' Lion literally translates to Risky Lion.
