NBC aired its updated Live production of the 1975 stage play “The Wiz” Thursday night.
The all-star cast phenomenally pulled off the show without a glitch.
I loved the vibrant costumes, creative props, modernized dance numbers, updated language and beautiful voices singing all the classic songs.
The play itself is a rendition of the L. Frank Baum‘s 1935 tale “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” which was made into a 1935 movie starring Judy Garland.
But what really stood out was all that natural hair on the cast and dancers!
Dorothy, played by newcomer Shanice Williams, wore her hair in a twist out.
The Cowardly Lion, played by David Alan Grier, sported some awesome grey locs.
There was a meme circulating comparing the 1935 lion to past lions and this year’s in terms of a natural hair journey! Hilarious.
Auntie Em, played by Stephanie Mills, who was also the original Dorothy in the 1970s play had a her natural in two French rolls. THE WIZ LIVE! — Pictured: (l-r) Shanice Williams as Dorothy, Uzo Aduba as Glinda — (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)
Glenda, the Good Witch from the South, played by Uzo Aduba, had her hair in crown braids.
In the promo photos, the Emmy Award winner wore what looks like crochet braids or mini individuals braided with Marley hair, curled and loosened.
A shape shifter who tried to steal Dorothy’s shoes while disguised as her mom had a wicked afro!
Glenda’s sister Evilene, the Wicked Witch of the East, played by Mary J. Blige, wore cornrows braided up into an elaborate sculptured coif with awesome adornments.
The Emerald City dwellers, the free factory workers, and the munchkins sported flat tops, colored Afros, skinny locs with shaved sides, cornrows and twist outs too.
AWESOME!!!
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