Twenty year old actress Dana Cimone was captivating as the lead character “Dorothy” in the 2025 national tour of “The Wiz”, an energetic show that featured joyous singing and dancing in the two act, two hour and 30 minute musical that is running now through Sunday, October 12 at Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Miami.
“The Wiz” created with music by Charles Small and book by William F. Brown in 1975 as an all black cast interpretation of “The Wizard of Oz” has Dorothy transported to the land of Oz and “The Emerald City” meeting the colorful characters “Lion” (Cal Mitchell), “Scarecrow” (Elijah Amad Lewis) and “Tinman” (D. Jerome).
Each of the characters sets out to find their most treasured items hidden from their lives through the help of “The Wiz” (Alan Mingo Jr.). Lion seeks to find courage, Strawman needs to find a brain, Tinman yearns for a heart and Dorothy wants to return home to reunite with Aunt Em (Kyla Jade). Along their journey, they need to foil the plans of the evil witch Evillene (Kyla Jade) to fully realize their goals.
Although “The Wiz” has been seen both on stage multiple times since its debut on Broadway 50 years ago and in a 1978 film starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson, the 2025 national tour sparkles with energy, especially due to the outstanding vocals by Cimone, Jade, Jerome, Lewis and Mitchell.
Cimone emerged from “The Wiz” as a bright young actress/singer with an anticipated long career on stage who fit perfectly as Dorothy (as opposed to Diana Ross in the film version, who was too old to play Dorothy in the film).
Cimone captivated the Arsht audience from the opening scene in her first song “Soon As I Get Home” and received multiple standing ovations for her vocals in the finale “Home” in addition to numerous ensemble songs. Cimone was brilliant as both a jazz belter in the uptempo songs and intimate in the soft ballads.
Other standout performances were from Jerome for the song “Slide Some Oil On Me”, Lewis for “You Can’t Win” and Mitchell for “Mean Ole Lion”.
The most well-known song from the musical “Ease On Down The Road” was sung and reprised three times to the delight of the audience by Cimone, Jerome, Lewis and Mitchell.
“The Wiz” is known for its many gospel, rock and soul songs.
In addition to the actors, the choreography by Jaquel Knight, costumes by Sharen David, direction by Schele Williams, and scenic designs by Hannah Beachler captured the unique look of “Emerald City” and the fast pace of the dancing and singing that made “The Wiz” breathtaking and memorable.
“The Wiz”, a two act musical starring Dana Cimone, is running now though Sunday, October 12 at Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in downtown Miami. Performances are at 8 p.m. each night except for Sunday at 7 p.m. with matinee shows on Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. Tickets range from $48-177. For tickets and more information, go to arshtcenter.org or call 305-949-6722.
