Music Theater Heritage reimagines The Wiz with crisp vocals and dazzling lights

Malik Hughes (Tinman), Sheridan (Scarecrow), Douglass Walker (Lion), Maurissa Cunningham (Dorothy) // Photo by Cory Weaver

In an R&B reimagining of a classic, The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical is an upbeat rendition of Dorothy’s eventful journey back home. 

The Wizard of Oz storyline is familiar to most audiences, and with The Wiz’s lively retelling, it’s difficult to keep energy and intrigue up throughout the show. 

Music Theater Heritage proved this high feat possible with two hours of the most entertaining theater you can find in Kansas City. Despite watching the show with the original plot in mind, each new scene was compelling due to the impressive acting, movement, and vocalization from the cast. 

Actor Maurissa Cunningham leads the show as Dorothy with her crystal-clear belt in her upper register, each note hit with ease despite the taxing vocal track of her character. 

The popular and catchy “Ease on Down the Road,” which is revamped at multiple points in the show, requires Cunningham to execute quick dance steps while singing the tune—but no amount of intricate choreography is shown in her voice. 

Ending the show is a heartfelt power ballad, “Home,” reflecting Dorothy’s emotional journey through Oz. Cunningham sings this out with personal touches of added riffs, opt-ups, and vocal runs that make the song her own.

Sheridan and Maurissa Cunningham // Photo by Cory Weaver

Cunningham alone is reason enough not to miss MTH’s The Wiz, but that’s not to say the rest of the show wasn’t just as impressive. 

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect was the minimalist set. The stage setup of Crown Center’s Grand Theater allows audiences to view the show from three sides but doesn’t allow for large set pieces—which turned out to be a positive for the setting.

The lack of a set highlighted the intricate costumes, props, and more dynamic choreography from the ensemble. Lighting was a standout as it mixed beauty with practicality through purposefully colored spotlights to the vibrant dance floor “yellow brick road.” 

The performance was meticulously planned down to every detail—from small gemstones on Cunningham’s blouse to make her twinkle in the lights to the Tinman’s vocal rasp slowly disappearing as he was oiled back to life. 

These detailed technical elements immersed viewers in the story, making the motives and feelings of each character all the more believable. It made the show more than just a following of the script, but a profound experience. 

The Wiz runs through July 5.