It was back in 1972 that producer Ken Harper came up with an idea for an all-black musical version of “The Wizard of Oz,” titled, “The Wiz”. The project started off as a musical before hitting the silver screen–we all sat transfixed as Diana Ross shined as Dorothy and as Michael Jackson danced to “Ease on Down the Road,” as the Scarecrow.
Fast Forward 43 years later, and NBC took on the project with a 3-hour live event production of, arguably, one of the greatest Black renditions in history. With an all star cast celebs including Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, Common and David Alan Grier, we couldn’t help but also share excitement to new additions to the team, including: Uzo Aduba (Crazy from Orange is the New Black) starring as Glinda, Amber Riley (Glee) playing Addaperle, crooner Neyo playing Tin Man, and of course, the new girl in town Shanice Williams playing Dorothy.
Nuanced in its own way, this “The Wiz” was clearly different from it older sibling, boasting more contemporary outfits and vocabulary (does anyone else remember when the Tin Man said he would Molly wop anyone to protect Dorothy?). Brought to the 21st century viewer, it was a refreshing and unique take on the classic musical, with new songs and background dancers to convey strange concepts (the wind who blew Dorothy away, those seductive flowers, etc.)
Other than the amazing vocals and stellar performances truly reminiscent of Broadway theatre, nobody could deny the high fashion outfits that completely SLAYED our entire existence. In previous interviews, Tony-nominated costume designer Paul Tazewell had said “[they] were creating a fantasy land that also is inspired by some of the imagery you’d see today…It’s the edgiest of high-fashion from now but in the world of the Emerald City.”
Dorothy hung up her checkered frock for a more inner-city look of a leather jacket, black belted skirt, and a much more “contemporary Kansas“.
The Tin-man had a dapper leather look in his patchwork made to resemble metal.
The amazing Scarecrow with his fierce dance moves looked much more hipster-chic than his previous successors, achieving what Tazewell names as “hip-reminiscent of Basquiat character.”
Our favorite lion gave us full blonde-highlights with accented dread locs throughout, truly embodying the mane of a Lion in the jungle. Roar!
King Common became our favorite bouncer of the night in an all-green ensemble with amazing emerald gloves (hello, Christmas list) and spiked bedazzlements embellishing his green coat.
Who knew a witch could look so good? 50 Shades of Blue definitely was the inspiration behind Amber Riley’s Addaperle costume, with a very avant garde aesthetic from her hair to her outfit.
The good witch also gave us a good wardrobe of stunning golds, extra fabric sprawled across the front and a flowing gown to make each one of us feel like a Queen.
Unlike the Wiz, there was nothing to hide in this amazing Green frock for the all-knowing, all-powerful Wizard of Oz. Of course Queen Latifah brought her A game with a floor-length kimono-esque green coat, jeweled and sparkled with all the magic that the Wiz should have. Plus this grey hair with wisps of green? Next hair trend.
While her life was short lived on the show, Evilene, the evil witch, had a costume that married punk rock with prom night. Everything from the sequined trousers under knee length boots, to a boastful purple skirt that flared to a caged corset style top. Everything. Yes.
I hope everyone was able to catch the show but if not, keep your eyes out as NBC will be doing reruns soon.
So let us at Fashion Bomb Daily know, who was your favorite character? Who had the coolest outfit?