When you think of the classic tale of “The Wizard of Oz,” what do you picture? A green witch? A girl from Kansas? A tornado? What if I told you there was an adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz” with none of that?
Instead, it begins with a family gathering for Thanksgiving and a snowstorm sweeping our Dorothy, an elementary school teacher, and her dog, Toto, up into the magical, urban landscape of Oz. Then, upon landing, Dorothy finds herself gifted a pair of sparkly red shoes and sent on a quest to find her way home.
This story is called “The Wiz,” and it’s an adaptation that started off as a 1974 Broadway musical, which was then adapted into a 1978 musical film featuring many iconic celebrities such as Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.
You might be thinking, “Well, what does that have to do with Black History Month?” Well, “The Wiz” film falls into a category of movies called Blaxploitation films. This was a movement that began in the 1960s and peaked in the 1970s. They focused on making movies with Black crews and casts that targeted Black audiences. “The Wiz” was released in 1978, so it arrived toward the end of the height of the Blaxploitation movement, but that does not make its impact any less powerful.
The very aesthetic of the film is rooted in Black American culture, with sets inspired by a fantastical, in some ways dystopian, New York City, and with costume designs featuring a blend of African styles, recyclable materials, and the urban fashion popular in the 70s. Even the dance routines are reminiscent of modern African dance, ballet, and jazz.
Despite this, the movie adaptation only found success after it left theaters, as it bombed at the box office. While the original Broadway musical earned six Tony Awards, the movie itself was viewed as a failure because it didn’t earn as much as it cost to make.
Not everyone agreed with the sentiment, though, as some critics saw the movie for what it was: a masterpiece and one of the first of its kind.
“Never have I seen such a colorful production… breathtaking photography, unbelievable make-up, eye-popping costumes, fantastic, creative dancers, and the soulful versatile, innovative music of Quincy Jones. The movie is one of the greatest musicals we have seen in many a year,” Gertrude Gipson, from the Los Angeles Sentinel, said.
No one could have expected the cult classic reputation the movie would earn amongst the Black American community, but with VHS tapes and DVDs being released in 1981 and 1999, respectively, the film was able to be shared with friends and family through generations.
For me, part of what makes “The Wiz” such an iconic childhood classic is the style and cast. It was one of the first movies I had ever seen with an all-Black cast, and that kind of representation cannot be taken for granted.
The Afrofuturistic style of the film has also always captivated me because of the way it is executed. Afrofuturism is the term used to describe the aesthetic of combining elements of the African diaspora with technological aspects and science. It’s a form of self-expression that is seen in “The Wiz” through the themes of liberation, science fiction, black history, and reclamation that the characters convey throughout the movie.
This story holds so much importance to Black American culture and so much relevance during this Black History Month because it reminds us of where we’ve come from and the future we should strive for. “The Wiz” is a continual reminder to seek liberation from those who seek to oppress you and find your strength in your community. It’s a reimagined story of confidence and self-resilience that every American can turn to during this uncertain time while reflecting on our country’s history.
If you want to witness the empowering tale of Dorothy and her friends’ quest for yourself, then you’re in luck! “The Wiz” Broadway cast will be performing in El Paso on their American tour at the Plaza Theatre from Feb. 18-22, 2026. Tickets and more information can be found here.
