CAIRO — The Southern Dance Collective and F.I.R.M. Dance Company brought magic to the stage this past weekend, as they danced their way through the yellow brick roads in a one-of-a-kind adaption of “The Wiz.”
Choreographed by the Southern Dance Collective owner and operator, Dana Willis, the show was an hour and 40-minute long showcase of theatricals and dance mixed.
The performance began traditionally with the crowd meeting Dorothy, played by Latia Thomas as she chased her small dog Toto, before a tornado swept her up, dropping her in the land of Oz and dropping her house on the wicked witch.
While Dorothy gathers her bearings, she is approached by munchkins, looking to throw a party on behalf of the witch’s death.
This number incorporated all of the dancers, including the tiniest of the bunch, as munchkins danced down the aisles in fun, vibrant costumes, displaying the wild and weird world of Oz.
Senior Keely Walden, who portrayed the Wiz, said this was one of many dances that was designed to be more fun, instead of technical.
“We did a lot of fun dancing in this production, more so than in years past,” she said. “But, this show gave everyone a time to shine in both their technical ability and have fun.”
As Dorothy made sense of what happened, she was gifted a magical pair of sneakers to help her along the way, as she encountered various creatures on her way to meet The Wizard in the Emerald City.
She first met the Scarecrow without any brains, portrayed by Sophia Lee.
Lee was initially seen posted up on a wooden platform. However, through intricate dance moves, she shimmied her way out to dance a lede, while sharing her story with Dorothy. It is then that Dorothy invites Lee to the Emerald City, so she can get home and Lee can get brains.
As the duo continues to “get on down the road,” they meet the Tin Man, who is in desperate need of oil to speak.
The Tin Man, characterized by Emma Thompson, then comes to life in a high-powered tap number, stunning the crowd and Dorothy and the Scarecrow. The intricate tap-dancing scene left the crowd in applause, as the Tin Man explained he had no heart. Disappointed to hear of the Tin Man’s predicament, Dorothy invites him along to the Emerald City as well.
As the newly formed trio continues to travel down the Brick Road, they come across a lion, portrayed by Olivia Chason, roaring in the jungle.
Dorothy decks the lion, telling him not to scare people like that. The lion cowers in terror at her fist, sharing he is cowardly and would do anything to have some strength.
As Chason breaks out to perform her solo, she is joined by former munchkins, now donning little lion costumes to show her soft roar.
Seeing the lion’s need too, Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and the lion face their final travels to the Emerald City, hoping for the Wizard to answer their needs.
They first face the notorious poppies, who are known for luring in unsuspecting visitors. However, the lion displays his first act of courage, performing a unique hip-hop number with the poppies to send them on their way.
Finally arriving in the Emerald City, Dorothy and her friends are originally deterred from meeting the Wiz, but after much work, they finally meet Walden.
“When I originally auditioned, I had no idea what I wanted to be,” she recalled. “However, on the day of, I decided to go for the Wizard, which would help me accomplish all the goals I’ve wanted all these years.”
Walden amazed as the Wizard, characterizing herself as equally scary and giving. She promised the four whatever they wanted, as long as they killed the other Wicked Witch.
After killing the witch with a bucket of water, the four return to find the Wizard is only the voice of a magician’s assistant. However, the wizard promises them they don’t need her help to become everything they want to be.
After sharing that promise, Walden broke out into her signature solo, shocking everyone, even dancers who had seen her in rehearsal.
Walden was originally prepared to shed the robe she is found in when realized as only a magician’s assistant and be in a traditional costume, but the night prior to opening night, she was encouraged to pop out in a sparkly number.
“We added the sparkly dress moment and it was shocking for everyone, but I do feel like it was one of my prouder moments, to pull off this dramatic surprise,” she concluded.
Upon the Wizard’s final dance number, Dorothy is encouraged to return to her true home, as the memories she made in Oz will last her a lifetime.
As Dorothy says her goodbyes, the cast comes together for one final large dance number, leaving the audience in a standing ovation.
Walden thanked everyone who made the show a success, including those backstage who may often go unnoticed, and encouraged the dancers who watched her and the other seniors in their final performance, to always be true to themselves.
“You all have a special talent,” she reminded.