Project Question 3.
Compare the soundtrack of “The Wiz” to that of the original production “The Wizard of Oz”. How have the musical themes and performance style been altered to reflect African American musical and cultural values?
The Wizard of Oz sound was very classical music based. The Wiz incorporated jazz and soul into the musical. This catered to the African American cultural values. With Actors like Michael Jackson and Diana Ross carrying the vocals of the songs it gave the songs soul and something the black community could relate to. The Wiz was a production for African Americans to take the Wizard of Oz story and make it our own, with our rhythms, our people and our culture.
