Mosaic Youth Theatre to present original musical inspired by 'The Wiz'
One of the region’s cultural gems, Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, is returning to the stage with a new production, “Yellow Brick Ballads,” starting Saturday at Detroit Film Theatre. The one-act revue is packed with original music written by more than 30 Detroit teens and inspired by themes from the 1970s Broadway musical “The Wiz.”
“It’s full of original music spanning a variety of genres from funk to jazz, pop, techno, R&B and soul,” said DeLashea Strawder, Mosaic's executive and artistic director. “All the music was penned by our young artists and staff team, as well all the spoken-word poetry that is done in the show. There will be 65 young people onstage and backstage, as we have young people that are helping to run sound and lighting and stage management, costumes, props, the entire show.
’Yellow Brick Ballads’ shines a light on the magic that happens when young artists are empowered and supported to dream big. This production is more than a concert; it's a launching pad for these incredible young leaders to wield their gifts to bring more beauty and light to our world.”
Strawder said audiences can expect a high-energy experience.
“The harmonies are complex,” she said. “We like to do a lot of a cappella music and vocal jazz. The young people are very adamant about telling stories that are relevant to their community, and so they’re going to be asking the question: ‘What does it mean to dream and how do dreams propel us forward or hold us back?’ And they challenge us to think about it as audience members."
There are also opportunities for the audience to engage, she said.
“It’s not uncommon for them to ask folks to get up and dance or sing along,” said Strawder. “I hope that people are reminded that arts and culture have the power to change lives and communities. I think the young artists are hoping that people will be inspired to do something to change someone else’s life.”
Local fans of the original "Wiz," which won seven Tony Awards in 1975 and went to become a 1978 film starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson and a 2015 NBC TV special, have a treat in store next year. The revival of the show currently running on Broadway will be at the Fisher Theatre in June 2025.
Contact Free Press arts and culture reporter Duante Beddingfield at dbeddingfield@freepress.com.
'Yellow Brick Ballads'
By Mosaic Youth Theatre
2 p.m. Sat., 7 p.m. May 17, 2 p.m. May 18
Detroit Film Theatre at the Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 Woodward, Detroit
$10 & up
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Mosaic Youth Theatre to present original musical inspired by 'The Wiz'
