Review: THE WIZ at Bass Concert Hall
Glitter and pure sassy-tude now easing on down the road through May 17th, 2026
When The Wiz first premiered on Broadway in 1975, it was more than simply a retelling of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”. It was a cultural reimagining. Created with an all-Black cast and deeply rooted in African American music, dance, fashion, and humor, the musical transformed a familiar American fantasy into something distinctly its own. Infused with soul, funk, gospel, and R&B influences, the show arrived during a period when Broadway was slowly beginning to open space for different voices and cultural perspectives. Against early skepticism, it became a massive success, winning seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, before eventually inspiring the 1978 film adaptation starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.
That legacy still hovers around the current Broadway tour, now playing at Bass Concert Hall through May 17. Directed by Schele Williams with choreography by JaQuel Knight, this production embraces the show’s identity through a vibrant cast filled with charisma, vocal power, and comic instinct. Yet what becomes most striking throughout the evening is how much the performers themselves carry the production.
and Elijah Ahmad Lewis as The Scarecrow
The North American Tour of The Wiz
PC: Jeremy Daniel
Visually, the show delivers. Scenic designer Hannah Beachler creates a heightened fantasy world filled with colorful backdrops and fluid transitions that keep the stage constantly alive. Meanwhile, Costume Designer Sharen Davis floods Oz with sequins, sculptural silhouettes, rich textures, and bold colors that make nearly every entrance memorable. The production may occasionally struggle to build momentum musically, but visually, it rarely lacks imagination.
Phoenix Assata La Freniere brings warmth and strong vocals to Dorothy, giving the character an approachable sincerity that anchors the evening nicely. Elijah Ahmad Lewis as Scarecrow, D Jerome as Tin Man, and Cal Mitchell as Lion lean heavily into physical comedy and stylized movement, becoming wonderfully entertaining companions along the journey. Much of the production’s humor comes from its embrace of the characters’ sass and oversized personalities, which generate some of the night’s most enjoyable moments.
Sheherazade arrives as Glinda with elegance and sparkling comic timing, briefly lifting the show into another gear entirely. Meanwhile, Kyla Jade, playing both Aunt Em and Evilene, delivers the evening’s most explosive performance, commanding the stage with powerhouse vocals that finally unleash the scale and theatrical fire the production occasionally lacks elsewhere.
Still, there is a curious imbalance at the center of the evening. The immense talent assembled on stage often feels bigger than the material supporting it. The cast continuously injects energy, humor, and rhythm into scenes that sometimes struggle to generate momentum on their own. Outside of “Ease on Down the Road,” the score rarely leaves a lasting musical impression, especially compared to the instantly recognizable emotional pull of The Wizard of Oz or the sweeping theatricality of Wicked.
And yet, leaving the theatre, it was not the music I remembered most.
It was the imagery. The glamour. The performances. The sassiness of the cast. The joy of watching gifted performers shape familiar characters into something playful, stylish, and unmistakably their own. Even when the musical itself feels lighter than expected, this company makes sure Oz remains a place worth visiting.
Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes, including intermission
D. Jerome as The Tin Man, Phoenix Assata LaFreniere as Dorothy,
and Alan Mingo, Jr. as The Wiz
The North American Tour of The Wiz
PC: Jeremy Daniel
The Wiz
Adapted from “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum
Book by William F. Brown
Music & Lyrics by Charlie Smalls
Additional material for this production by Amber Ruffin
Directed by Schele Williams
Now Playing through May 17th, 2026
Tues – Thurs at 7:30 pm
Fri at 8 pm
Sat at 2 & 8 pm
Sun at 1 & 6:30 pm
Texas Performing Arts @ Bass Concert Hall
2350 Robert Dedman Drive | Austin, TX 78712
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