Crossing Generations with ‘The Wiz’
Grandparents, parents and children have been sharing memories in our audience of the first time they saw “The Wiz.” What’s your story?
We caught up with the Mann family (Richard, Peggy, Laura, Julia, Amira and Zara) after they saw The Wiz to talk about their experiences with the show and how the live production has brought three generations of their family #AllTogether.
What was your first memory or recollection of ‘The Wiz’?
Peggy (Grandmother): The song, “Ease on down the road”! It is such a popular and super cool song.
Amira (Granddaughter, Age 7): Yeah! I like that! That song is nice and pumped up!
Laura (Daughter/Mother): For me, it was when I first saw the movie as a kid and then in college, really getting interested in the play. But, I had never seen the stage version and always wanted to…it is so exciting to see it on a stage because I feel like it is meant to be there! And this is such a fun opportunity to share with my kids, not just on a small screen, but live and in person!
So, girls, how old do you think this play is, if your grandparents have seen it?
Amira: Uh, maybe like 80 years old!
Laura: [Laughs] Spot on!
Have you ever seen ‘The Wiz’ as an entire family before?
Everyone: No!
Laura: We have all had separate experiences with The Wiz but we’ve never seen it as a big family!
So now that you’ve seen the show, how has it been seeing it with your aunt Julia, mom, grandma, grandpa and sister?
Amira: Being with my sister at the show is really fun because we can cuddle a little bit, dance and watch it together!
What was your favorite song to dance to in the show?
Amira: The one that started and stopped suddenly, with the flower faces!
The Kalidahs?
Amira: Yeah, and then they went [dancing] “dunh, dunh, dunh,” I liked that one!
Laura: It’s been really fun seeing the girls come to life at different moments, because I didn’t really know how they would respond to the stage version. They recognize certain songs, but then there are new things that they haven’t heard or seen! We used to live in New York so as soon as the Coney Island scene started, Amira looked at me and said, “MOM, I know what that is!”
Amira: Yeah, they were in Central Park! Oz is New York!
It feels really timeless, and really connected us all as a family. — Julia Mann (Aunt)
What about the two of you (Richard and Peggy)? When was your first time seeing The Wiz?
Both: The movie!
And is this your first time seeing it on stage? How has that been?
Richard (Grandfather): Yes, I always enjoy live theatre more, especially because of the great live music, the ambiance, the dynamics between the actors and the amazing set and lighting!
Peggy: The one thing great about seeing shows as a family, is that you create a common family reference. After seeing shows, our tradition was to ask Laura and Julia, “what character were you in the show?” without reference to gender or who you most looked like, but who you actually most identified with. I did it enough times that they started making fun of me after a while! [Laughs]
Laura: And now I do it with my kids! I think this is such an exciting play because my daughters get to see an all-black cast onstage making this amazing piece. So it’s been really awesome for them and exciting!
Peggy: And she [pointing to granddaughter Zara] will talk about it later, I promise! We saw her dancing during the show!
Does this show feel different than other shows at CTC? Would you come without your kids to see it?
Laura: Yes! I will say I think this show is definitely a very universal show. I think it will reach a lot of different people; it is a classic coming of age story.
It’s an emotional journey that I think anyone can connect with, regardless of age. — Laura Mann-Hill
Julia: And the MUSIC! The singing, WOW! I could listen to the cast sing all day, they are amazing! I just don’t feel like you get the emotions of the music through a movie, and you get that with this production. I was sitting in the audience getting chills hearing them sing. Saying “preach” during the songs, I felt like I was in church!
Laura: This show is so magical! They say there is magic in theatre, and this is definitely one of those shows [whose] magic touches everyone who sees it!
A few days later Laura let us know that Grandma was right — Zara has been singing “Brand New Day” from The Wiz every day since they saw the show.
— Article by Melissa Ferlaak
The Wiz ran at Children’s Theatre Company January 23 through March 18, 2018.
