Town Hall Arts Center’s high-energy production dazzles with standout performances and a powerful live band.

The set of The Wiz at Littleton’s Town Hall Arts Center may not be as grand as its touring Broadway counterpart, but the dance, singing, acting and live band fill the theater with high energy in a two-hour magical journey that flies by.

Kansas is portrayed through a simple clothesline, with laundered dresses and the like hanging out to dry; the opening scene is wholesomely Midwestern, with family and friends picnicking before the storm. As clothes are removed from the line, a circular door reveals itself but doesn’t become fully activated — complete with green glowing lights radiating from its circumference — until they arrive in the mystical land of Oz. Throughout the story, the ensemble adjusts stage risers for quick and easy set changes, one of which includes the scarecrow standing upright on a pole.

While I missed Toto as a character, Thurzday filled Dorothy’s sparkly shoes with bold hip-rotating and back-bending moves and a strong voice. Just a couple of times, her voice bordered toward screlting, but off we went, as three visceral dancers convincingly portrayed the tornado with amazing gusto and technical skill.

The trio of dancers truly mesmerized me with their talent, especially Daja McLeod, who’s able to articulate every single muscle in her agile body. They added a rich layer to the performance, sometimes permeating the stage with contemporary dance and traditional ballet and at other times creating a captivating backdrop or intermingling with characters throughout the plot.

Angel Miguel Garcia masterfully embodied the Scarecrow, stumbling and falling as if his ankles and limbs truly were made of straw. He was both adorable and delightful, while his surrounding crows were quite entertaining and funny.

Simeon Wallace rendered a beautiful version of “What Would I Do If I Could Feel,” while playing a strong and vulnerable Tin Man.

And when Daevon Robinson pounced on stage as the Lion with his raw, sexy energy, everyone took notice. In usual king-of-the-jungle style, he strutted around, bare-chested under his spectacular fur-lined coat singing “Mean Ol’ Lion.” Of course, soon thereafter, he revealed his scaredy-cat side.

Choreographer and director Christopher Page-Sanders did an excellent job both with dance sequences among the trio of dancers and other actors, as well as bringing out the best in each actor. Every performer nailed their characters as if the attributes were ones they naturally shared themselves; the conveyed personalities were both individual and universal — and lingered in memory long after the closing scene.

Likewise, the costumes by Emily Valley — including dazzling shoes — became fun reveals throughout the story; unexpected green and orange flapper dresses contrasted Dorothy’s plain blue — but effective — Kansas dress.

The immersive experience, with a five-piece live band playing horns, reeds, bass, keys and percussion under the direction of Alex Burse, intensified when actors emerged from the back of the audience, singing through the aisles as they passed rows of seats to take the stage.

Daevon Robinson is the Cowardly Lion in the Town Hall production of ‘The Wiz.’ | Photo: RDGPhotography

Music drives the action

In true Wiz fashion, the music was absolutely spectacular, from a dramatically evil-looking Cha’Rel Ji’Cole fearlessly belting out “Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News” and then transforming into the magically beautiful Glinda and sounding just about as good as Diana Ross in “Believe in Yourself,” to the classic “Ease on Down the Road” to a fresh take on the flying monkeys in the form of the “Funky Panther Melody.”

Delivered with passion and precision, the fusion of gospel-, R&B-, rock- and Broadway-based music resonated with joy. Indeed, Black culture, sound, movement and “brilliance stand boldly and unapologetically at the center,” as director Christopher Page-Sanders states in the program. “The Wiz is a radiant celebration of self-expression, joy and liberation.”

As one of metro -Denver’s most intimate professional theatres, Town Hall Arts Center’s 260-seat historic venue allows audiences to be up close and personal with the actors, while still delivering top-quality talent. Its production of The Wiz provides an invigorating evening of engaging singing, dance and storytelling, accompanied by live music.

Simeon Wallace is the Tin Man | Photo: RDGPhotography