The Wiz Musical Analysis

The Wiz as a Musical

The Wiz is a musical/movie released in 1978 that was an adaptation of the popular film “Wizard of Oz”. It included several very popular stars of the time, which were Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and Nipsey Russell. The movie set place in New York City where the main character, Dorothy, suddenly is swept by a tornado in the middle of a snowstorm. She later then found herself lost in a city she had no clue about and curious as to how she could return home. After meeting 3 other characters during her journey that share similarities, they all embarked on a trip to OZ to fix each of their problems. Throughout the movie characters apply their own soundtrack through singing songs in harmony that compliment the mood of each scene.

After Dorothy was swept off of her feet into a tornado she then lands in an odd place she had never seen before. It was an old playground that had been deserted after the munchkins (children) had been stuck to the walls. When Dorothy landed she killed the evil witch by accident not realizing that was the one who stuck the munchkins to the wall. All of the munchkins were grateful and made sure that Dorothy knew what great deed she had just done. Later in the scene the munchkins sang and danced to a song called “He’s the Wizard”, which described who The Wiz was and how he could help her get home. There danced in sync as they performed around the playground with all of their voices harmonizing as well. They pointed her in the right direction and she began to go forward but when she looked back to ask another question they were gone. She then began to sing a song that described how all she wanted to do was go home and go back where she belonged.

Although this was filmed as a movie and not acte...

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...nt witches had very detailed wardrobes. In particular the witch Evillene, who was mean, had a dress similar to the size of a wedding dress made of old and dirty jewels. Glinda the good witch had a dress that was also made of jewels but they were bright and pleasing to the eye opposite of Evillene’s dress.

Overall The Wiz did demonstrate several aspects that related to real life with a sense of exaggeration and fictional characters. The singing, dancing, wardrobe and setting all contributed to it being a well-developed musical. It had the standards of the typical musical but the soulfulness from the music and characters put a different spin on it. Initially The Wiz was just a musical performed in theatres but when it moved to the film version it’s success was even greater. The Wiz does not have any current live performances but it’s company is still up and running.