The Wiz (1978) review

L. Frank Baum's novel for kids gets "African-Americanized" and set in Harlem: meek kindergarten teacher Dorothy Gale (Diana Ross) tries to nab her runaway pup Toto on a wintry night, is whisked away by a snow tornado and drops down into the Land of Oz where she meets the Munchkins, acquires a fancy pair of silver shoes, and then partners with the Scarecrow (Michael Jackson), the Tinman (Nipsey Russell) and the Cowardly Lion (Ted Ross) to meet with the Wizard (Richard Pryor), who supposedly can grant wishes.  The 1939 version - which is generally considered one of the best musicals ever made - was cheerful and bright whereas this is quite dreary and missing the same level of spontaneity and sheer enjoyment.  The songs are certainly noteworthy (it helps that MJ and Ms. Ross just so happen to be two all-time great talents), except they aren't enough to prevent this from feeling like a slog, and I'm probably not the right person to say this, but too often it comes across as an uncomfortable minstrel show.  Despite flopping at the box office upon initial release, it's since gone on to become a "cult classic" and, here on the East Coast, I've regularly seen TV ads for it playing at theatre houses - I can only hope a proper stage production (based on the book by William F. Brown) is more bearable.