Writer L. Frank Baum's book The Wizard of Oz from 1900 was the inspiration for many films and musicals. A whirlwind takes the protagonist Dorothy to a magical world, the land of Oz. In her search for the mighty wizard of Oz who could tell her the way home, she encounters a scarecrow with no sense, a tin man with no heart and a cowardly lion without courage. A film starring Judy Garland was released
… in 1937 and in 1975 the funky Motown musical The Wiz won seven Tony Awards. This version was filmed in 1978 with Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and Richard Pryor, among others. The Motown version premiered in the Beatrix Theater in Utrecht on September 10, 2006, in a translation by Martine Bijl and directed by Glenn Casale. With excellent performances by Nurlaila Karima (Dorothy), Danny Yanga (Scarecrow), Marjolijn Touw (Sadista) and Mathilde Santing (Glinda). The CD booklet contains beautiful photos and the lyrics. The Wiz has also appeared in a version with bonus DVD. This includes a report of the premiere and the 'making of'. (SvdP)more
