Broadway Breakdown: THE WIZ (Movie) with Kaisha Huguley

Release Date: February 20, 2025
Host: Matt Koplik
Guest: Kaisha Huguley

Introduction

In this engaging episode of Broadway Breakdown, host Matt Koplik delves deep into the legacy and impact of the 1978 movie adaptation of The Wiz. Joined by special guest Kaisha Huguley, the conversation navigates through personal experiences, critical analyses, and the broader implications of the film within the landscape of American theater.

Personal Reflections and Childhood Memories

Ariana Grande shares her childhood encounters with The Wiz, expressing mixed feelings about the film's imagery:

"[04:33] Ariana Grande: ...the imagery in the film actually scaring me... I was also scared of the wizard of Oz, so I was equally scared of both of these products..."

In contrast, Cynthia Erivo recounts her limited childhood exposure, focusing more on the Broadway cast recording rather than the movie itself:

"[05:47] Cynthia Erivo: ...the Broadway cast recording weirdly was... I never watched the movie until my adult life..."

Casting Choices: Diana Ross as Dorothy

A significant portion of the discussion centers on Diana Ross's portrayal of Dorothy. Kaisha Huguley critiques the age disparity and character development:

"[12:26] Cynthia Erivo: ...Diana Ross's Dorothy in The Wiz movie doesn't have a ton of agency... She's always scared and needs saving..."

Ariana Grande responds by appreciating Ross's performance within the context of its time but acknowledges its limitations in modern settings:

"[16:06] Ariana Grande: I overall enjoyed Diana's performance mainly because I'm also a Diana Ross fan... But the kind of performance that she was showing in that film is not necessarily what we go for in 2025..."

Direction and Cinematography Critique

The film's direction by Sidney Lumet receives substantial criticism. Kaisha Huguley points out Lumet's lack of expertise in musical filmmaking:

"[09:38] Cynthia Erivo: ...the camera needs to move. Because there's so much talent in the movie... why does this feel kind of lifeless?"

She further discusses the impact of long, static shots on the film's energy and audience engagement:

"[16:06] Ariana Grande: ...the camera's so far away and just sitting there... I wanted to see more close-ups of the costumes and details."

Musical Numbers and Their Placement

The placement and execution of musical numbers are scrutinized, particularly how songs like "Ease on Down the Road" and "You Can't Win" were handled. Cynthia Erivo expresses frustration over the pacing and energy of these numbers in the film adaptation:

"[08:30] Cynthia Erivo: ...watching the movie, you can't win is very necessary because up until then we've had nothing but mid-tempo and ballads..."

Ariana Grande adds that the film's musical energy doesn't translate as effectively as it does on stage:

"[30:10] Ariana Grande: ...if I had my way, I would have also wanted to see them do [the journey into Oz] a little bit earlier."

Comparisons Between Stage and Film Adaptations

The conversation highlights the inherent challenges in adapting stage musicals to film. Kaisha Huguley emphasizes the importance of maintaining the theatrical essence while utilizing cinematic tools effectively:

"[44:40] Cynthia Erivo: ...movie musicals are just hard to do in general. I think that is the hardest genre of film because theater is a living, breathing art form."

Ariana Grande reflects on successful adaptations like Wicked and contrasts them with The Wiz, suggesting that some stories thrive better in their original medium:

"[49:31] Cynthia Erivo: ...not every movie that's successful should be a musical. Not every musical that's successful should be a movie."

Legacy and Influence on BIPOC Performers

Despite its flaws, The Wiz holds a positive legacy by inspiring many BIPOC performers and providing representation in a major Broadway adaptation. Kaisha Huguley acknowledges both the inspiration and the stylistic influences the film has imparted:

"[61:21] Cynthia Erivo: ...the positive legacy is it has really given an inspiration to many BIPOC performers since it came out..."

However, she also notes the negative impact of stylistic deviations introduced by the film, which some believe have steered subsequent productions away from the original's magic:

"...the theater community has taken away stylistically from the movie is like, oh, okay, so now every interpretation of The Wiz should be even more edgy and more on the cusp of pop culture."

Challenges of Movie Musicals

The episode delves into the broader challenges faced by movie musicals, such as maintaining audience engagement and effectively translating stage energy to the screen. Kaisha Huguley emphasizes the importance of intentional musical placements and aligning them with narrative progression:

"[36:30] Cynthia Erivo: ...if you invest in that work of figuring out why the song needs to be as long as it is, and really taking people through a specific journey..."

Ariana Grande echoes these sentiments, advocating for clearer intentions behind musical numbers to ensure they serve the story:

"[34:11] Ariana Grande: ...I have not... one movie musical where someone is like, oh my God, another song failed, because it's entertaining and takes us on a journey."

Future Adaptations and Improvements

Looking forward, both hosts express hope for future adaptations that honor the source material while leveraging cinematic strengths. Kaisha Huguley envisions a The Wiz remake that combines the joy and grandeur of the original with contemporary storytelling techniques:

"...there is a Wiz that we have not experienced yet that literally will have people being like, oh, my goodness gracious, because the music is too good..."

Ariana Grande concurs, emphasizing the need for thoughtful production design and closer attention to costume details to enhance visual storytelling:

"[68:38] Cynthia Erivo: ...the camera's always just so far away. You don't get the intricacies of those costumes..."

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a reflection on the enduring appeal of The Wiz and the complexities of adapting beloved stage musicals to film. Kaisha Huguley and Ariana Grande advocate for future projects to learn from past missteps, ensuring that adaptations not only showcase talent but also respect and enhance the original material's essence.

Additionally, Matt Koplik hints at upcoming episodes focusing on Angels in America, promising continued deep dives into iconic Broadway pieces.

Notable Quotes

• Ariana Grande ([04:33]): "...the imagery in the film actually scaring me... I was also scared of the wizard of Oz..."
• Cynthia Erivo ([12:26]): "...Diana Ross's Dorothy in The Wiz movie doesn't have a ton of agency... She's always scared and needs saving..."
• Cynthia Erivo ([09:38]): "...the camera needs to move... why does this feel kind of lifeless?"
• Ariana Grande ([16:06]): "...the camera's so far away and just sitting there... I wanted to see more close-ups of the costumes and details."
• Kaisha Huguley ([44:40]): "...movie musicals are just hard to do in general. I think that is the hardest genre of film because theater is a living, breathing art form."
• Ariana Grande ([49:31]): "...not every movie that's successful should be a musical. Not every musical that's successful should be a movie."

Final Thoughts

This episode of Broadway Breakdown offers a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of The Wiz movie, highlighting its strengths, shortcomings, and lasting impact. For theater enthusiasts and casual listeners alike, the discussion provides valuable insights into the challenges of adaptation and the enduring significance of musical storytelling.

If you enjoyed this summary, consider tuning into the full episode for an in-depth conversation on one of Broadway's most iconic adaptations.