Opening night in Minneapolis for a Tony Award Winning Broadway show, what more could a theater kid ask for? Coming into the Orpheum Theater, there was a buzz of excitement, and from the moment you sat down and saw the colorful screen on stage blocking view, you could tell this was going to be a treat!

This show was simply fun, and seeing a polished Broadway event brought to the Twin Cities was awesome. From the first moments of the show, the cast’s vocal clarity and projection stood out as confident, clean, and strong, so much so that it was enough to fill the room without ever feeling forced. Our Dorothy (Dana Cimone in her debut role) immediately set the foundation for a night that throughout felt polished, practiced, intentional and more than anything, fun!

One of the most effective early moments to show the scope of the show was the tornado sequence- Rather than relying on an overwhelming spectacle, the production used dancers draped in flowing gray and black cloth, and immense choreography that became its own primal force, just like a real tornado. Paired with the flashing lights and fog rolling out, and the flashy movement of the dancers themselves, this was QUITE a fun start to seeing how large the show would be, establishing how well the bodies movement could be a vice for storytelling.

Visual language throughout the whole show was incredible- whether it was the literally dazzling entrance by Glinda the Good (one of the sequins on this dress definitely hit my eye), or the inventive ‘Yellow Brick Road’ cast members marching on stage, there was such precise planning and moving to convey bits and pieces of the show to us.

The first major (in my opinion) song of the evening was the “He’s The Wiz”, which immediately bonded us to the majority of the cast, showing their chemistry and harmonies off the bat, while later allowing us to appreciate the solo acts, like the Lion, Tin-Man, and Scarecrow’s amazing songs. “Slide Some Oil Into Me” for the Tin-Man was my personal favorite, bringing some playful energy that was unexpectedly elevated into bright dance number after a literal bass drop- turning into a wild showcase of sharp choreography and skill by the actor. The Lion’s number “(I’m a) Mean Ole Lion” was also an impressive display of vocal training, showing how growls, while gruff and deep, can also be controlled and portrayed beautifully to really liven up the character!

When Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin-Man, and the Lion finally were all together for a reprise of the ongoing “Ease on Down the Road”, it was hard not to smile seeing how happy-go-lucky the cast were with each other, and able to portray a real sense of familiarity and friendship with one another, really leaning into the joy of the journey.

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Just before the intermission, we met “The Wiz” and his introduction was easily one of the night’s highlights. With a soulful voice, expressive acting, and a costume that balanced charm and a larger than life atmosphere, the character felt instantly fully formed. Seated in a throne-like chair that suggested both power and performance, he commanded the stage. The dancers surrounding him added humor and movement that kept the scene light and engaging without distracting from the character himself, but the song and vocal control alone really presented the titular character for a fun and exciting moment. And in another song, one of my other favorite numbers came with “What Would I Do If I Could Feel” performed by the Tin-Man once again. What made it so effective was how raw it felt- no exaggerated character voice, just a performer allowing his natural tone to fill the space. I think this was kind of a particular ‘thing’ with the Tin-Mans performance however- he almost HAD to be this good, as there was no growl to accentuate like the Lion, or vocal twinges to have fun with like the Scarecrow, but he really showcased his talent by delivering such warm and velvety tones every performance, it was wonderful to hear.

Right away back from the intermission however, we were hit with fiery colors, and a defeated, enslaved people, all under the control of Evillene. The Wicked Witch’s “No Bad News” was a standout, with bucket choreography reminiscent of Stomp, strong visual design, and a long final note that earned a huge audience reaction. Her eventual melting leaned fully into comedy and got one of the biggest laughs of the night, with the actress delivering a “I’m melting? I’m Melting! I’m meeeeelting” high to low jazzy vocal run on the last line before promptly disappearing. After this the majority of the cast appeared for a combined show of “Brand New Day”, which brought a vibrant color shift that perfectly matched its message. However, there was much more to show us, as of course, totally unsuspectingly, The Wiz was a fraud (who knew!).

We’re met with Oz being taken apart, and the crew members taking pieces off stage, only for our main heroes to confront The Wiz, leading us to a witty song from him “Y’all Got It?”, which was such a fun piece, with The Wiz in a tracksuit, trying to jet off and leave it all behind! With catchy lines like “The Wiz… more like The Was” landing perfectly, and the Wiz’s exit dance sequence, complete with a surprise appearance from a laundry basket at the end, the whole song was a perfect fitting end to most of the cast.

Coming back for a reprise, Glinda’s entrance followed with equal impact to the last song. Fog filled the stage as her costume shone once again under the lights, creating a reflective, almost otherworldly effect. It was a moment that immediately established her presence and magic without needing excess, prepping us for the sweet duet that was to follow with Dorothy. Circling back to the beginning of it all, where Dorothy’s Aunt gave her a pep talk about the importance of trusting in oneself, Glinda delivered a similar message in “Believe In Yourself”, giving our heroine the chance to get back to Kansas after all she’s learned.

The show closed by giving Dorothy the space to truly shine, in her own final solo fittingly named “Home”. Cimone’s final note of the evening was powerful, closing the show and earning a standing ovation, as the cast returned for bows to clapping, cheers, and overwhelming appreciation from the audience

Overall, The Wiz was amazing on every level, from the lighting and costumes, to set design and choreography, and the genre-spanning music- it all worked together seamlessly. It was a vibrant opening night, showing a cast that can be confident, expressive, and clearly practiced the show with care. If you want a fun twist on a classic gem, go see it now on tour!