Kent State’s School of Theatre and Dance showcased its production of “The Wiz” directed by Ainsley Valentine in the E. Turner Stump Theatre. It debuted Feb. 21, 2025, and will run until March 2, 2025.
“The Wiz” is a musical based on the story of “The Wizard of Oz,” presented through the perspective of the Black American experience. Its underlying themes highlighted through songs and choreography include resilience, overcoming adversity and celebrating African-American culture. Using a blend of elements from R&B, soul and gospel music, the production curates a cultural representation in the musicality aspect of the show.
Opening night was an electric and buzzing atmosphere. Engaging performances allowed audiences to join in on the fun, clapping along to songs, whooping to the cast’s performance of Dominic Moore-Dunson’s choreography and interacting with cast members in character before the show started.
Setting a convivial and positive tone allowed the performance to become a fun memory for audience members, as they felt included in the journey too. Audience member Michael Bonuito, a freshman psychology major, said, “It was like life, energy, and freedom.”
“The actors intermingled with the audience, and there were several lines that acknowledged the audience and broke the fourth wall,” said another audience member, freshman biology major Steven Robinson. “Specifically with the actors, they brought a lot of energy and passion to the performance.”
A prominent performance noted by audience members was by the Tin Man, played by junior musical theater major Anthony Ghali, and his performance of “What Would I Do If I Could Feel” in Act I.
“It was about being vulnerable, and not only a message about masculinity, but it was also a message about Black masculinity,” Robinson said. “He wants to feel, and he wants to cry, and I think that is a very resonating moment with the audience.”
Not only were performances a captivating way to get lost in the world of Kent’s production of “The Wiz,” but the costumes and set designs were as well.
Holding historical significance behind these choices, Valentine explained in the musical’s program that charting a visual path pays homage to the rich history of Black artistry from the Harlem Renaissance through the optimism coming from the Civil Rights Movement. While also paying respect and remembrance to the past, Valentine’s production looks to the future.
“Ainsley decided to take an afro-futuristic take with this entire musical, that’s pretty evident with the costumes and set design,” said assistant director and senior digital media production major, Daylon Brown. “Afro-futurism is the concept of a Black society in which it’s fully allowed to express its creativity to the highest form compared to ‘The Wiz’ people are used to, which is a lot more 70s oriented, it does still have elements of those years.”
“The Wiz” runs during the last week of Black History Month.
“I hope audiences will take away the symbolism, I think that gets lost a lot of the time, especially within ‘The Wizard of Oz,’” Brown said. “It’s a classic story, but when it is recontextualized with a certain group of people, specifically with Black and African-American people, I hope the symbolism that the characters represent and the overall themes that are presented aren’t being looked past.”
Felicity Scott is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].