By Joe Contreras, Latin Life Denver Media

From the moment I heard the orchestra play and Dana Cimone as Dorothy sing the first few lyrics of “Soon As I Get Home” in the opening number of The Wiz, I knew I was in for something special. The song gave me a rush of emotion. Where have I heard that song before? Cimone’s young, powerful voice gave me chills as I searched my mind for the origin of that song. That’s right, Diana Ross as Dorothy sang that song in the 1978 film adaptation of the 1974 Broadway play of The Wiz. I had forgotten that I had seen the movie those many years ago.

It was written by Charlie Smalls and was performed by Stephanie Mills in the original stage production. It was like hearing Judy Garland’s “Over the Rainbow” which is not part of this production. The film version, along with Dianna Ross also starred Richard Pryor as the Wiz and Michael Jackson as the scarecrow, Nipsey Russel as the Tin Man and Lina Horne as Glinda.

But who is this Dana Cimone? with the beautiful voice who plays Dorothy in this current touring Broadway rendition of the play that changed Broadway forever and is currently playing the Buell Theatre at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts through April 20, 2025.

Before I tell you more about this mysterious shining emerald gem of a find, let me tell you a bit about the play. As in the original movie version of The Wizard of Oz, the play starts out in black in white with Aunt Em and Dorothy preparing for an approaching tornado.

There is no Toto, Dorothy’s dog in the movie. Once the house has landed on the wicked witch of the north an explosion of color, music and dancing ensues on set. Everyone in Oz, no munchkins either, are happy to see the wicked witch gone. Dorothy is conflicted and feels responsible for her demise. But she is celebrated by the people of Oz and presented with the silver, not ruby, slippers or boots in this case. They are the key to getting Dorothy home.

What ensues is the story of Dorothy’s pursuit to get home. She believes she can if only she can get The Wiz to help her. What she really needs and later finds out is to believe in herself. As the story goes she follows the yellow brick road where she encounters the scarecrow, the tinman and the cowardly lion who join her in her pursuit of The Wiz who will hopefully help them out as well. You probably know how the story goes from there. But in this all African American cast version there are some twists that give this production its own personal charm and longevity.

The two Black men, AJ and Jarrell, sitting next to me at the Buell Theatre probably said it best. “This is such an updated contemporary version of what I remember as a kid. The movie was one of my favorites. I must have seen it a dozen times,” said AJ. “Yea, me too” Jarrell chimed in. Turned out both men had starred in their high school version of The Wiz at Denver’s Montello High School. Jarrell played the scarecrow and AJ the tin man.

“We were expecting the old style version. “We were not expecting Dorothy to be so young, after all Diana Ross was 33 when played the character of Dorothy. “This production is much different in that characters speak in today’s lingo and not that of the 70’s. The dancing is different as well, in that it incorporates today’s hip hop choreography and the music and lyrics have more of Prince vibe to them,” they stated. Still, they both remembered many of the original songs and could not help but sing along as they hooted and hollered in appreciation of the performance.

Alan Mingo Jr. who plays The Wiz, told 9News in an interview, that was the intent of this reimagined production. “We took the Broadway show and the movie and sort of mushed them together. We redid the script and we took the 70’s funk out.” Mingo Jr. added that the new music had just been nominated for a Grammy Award. (See video below) The classic “Ease On Down The Road” song written by Smalls and produced by the late Quincy Jones is still prominently in the show.

Elijah Ahmad Lewis, the scarecrow, told Denver’s Urban Spectrum podcast, Spectrum Talk With Ruby, that this version of The Wiz is a universal story not only in that it is current but it is something that can last a lifetime. “We all know the story is about Dorothy getting home but it also reminds us that everything we need in life is right inside you.” Lewis said that it was important not to let naysayers project their negativity onto your wellbeing. “In the end we all realize that we are more than enough, that everything inside of us is more than enough,” said Lewis. (See the full video below)

The play is based on a book by William F. Brown and a Tony Award-winning score by Charlie Smalls, The Wiz retells the story of L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz for an all-Black cast. Schele Williams helms the reimagined production, which contains additional material by Amber Ruffin.

The program in the DCPA’s Applause magazine mentions no prior performance credits for Cimone other than to say “Hailing from Atlanta Georgia, Dana is thrilled and deeply honored to make her debut as Dorothy” Dana extends her heartfelt gratitude to her mother, whose unwavering support and early introduction to theater has been the foundation of her journey.” That’s it.

In contrast, Alan Mingo, who plays “The Wiz” is credited with major roles in Kinky Boots, Rent, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Hair Spray and others. Sheherazade, who plays Glinda, the good witch of the south, is also making her Broadway debut and has music credits involving Ed Sheeran, Cher, Gladys Knight, Dionne Warwick, Christina Aguilera, Chaka Khan and on and on. Kyla Jade plays Aunt Em was a top finalist on NBC’s “The Voice” and is a sought after vocal arranger and contractor for many recording artists.

Elijan Ahmad Lewis, The Scarecrow, has performed in several Tony Award winning productions including Aunt Too Proud, Motown The Musical and has several music and film credits to his name. The Tin Man, D. Jerome has Broadway credits that include MJ The Musical, Hamilton and film credits for The Color Purple and Dreamgirls, Hair Spray and was awarded best supporting actor in 2016. The cowardly lion, Mykal Kilgore is an award winning actor and Grammy winner. His theatre credits include Motown, the Musical, Hair, The Book of Mormon and TV/film credits: Jesus Christ Superstar, The Wiz Live (NBC).

The rest of the assemble/cast also have numerous credits throughout the entertainment industry. Far too many to mention here. But Dorothy, Dana Cimone, nada, not a thing in regard to performance credits. Not even an internet search turned up much info on this rising star.

Despite her lack of accolades, Cimone, more than holds her own and proves she belongs with this accomplished cast of performers. She is confident, flamboyant and has a charming presence that is both innocent yet powerful and commanding as the lead character of The Wiz. She obviously believes in herself and that everything she needs to be successful is right inside her. I can’t help but wonder if, like in the play, it all feels like a dream to her. That one day she will wake up in her home in Atlanta and remember a time, a dream, where she was a big star in a Broadway play. But for now she is the real deal. Remember her name, Dana Cimone.

The Wiz, opened on Broadway’s Majestic Theatre on January 5, 1975. The production played 1,672 performances before closing in January 1979. The musical earned eight Tony nominations, winning 7 including best musical. Now after 40 years it is back and in Denver, Colorado, Don’t miss this one.

The Wiz plays the Buell Theatre in Denver’s Center for the Performing Arts thru April 20, 2025.

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