If Toto Were from Harlem

A recent article in GQ had a cover line that read, "When Michael Was Cool." Sure, it's easy to forget how inherently awesome someone such as Michael Jackson is when you witness him crumble before your eyes. But let's be clear: The King of Pop never lost his coolness; it...

By Raina McLeod

September 3, 2009

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A recent article in GQ had a cover line that read, "When Michael Was Cool." Sure, it's easy to forget how inherently awesome someone such as Michael Jackson is when you witness him crumble before your eyes. But let's be clear: The King of Pop never lost his coolness; it was simply overshadowed by, er, more complicated matters. Any man who can don a fat suit, an inverted Reese's Peanut Butter Cup wrapper for a nose, and a bushy wig is cool to us, GQ.

This Thursday, as a part of the Flickin' Summer Movie Series at the Gusman Center, catch Michael playing the Scarecrow to Diana Ross's Dorothy in The Wiz, a soul-infused take on The Wizard of Oz set in New York City. In this version from 1978, the old, drawn-out soundtrack gets a funky twist that'll have you wanting to "ease on down, ease on down the roooaaad" with Dorothy and her crew. If you haven't seen the film, we won't ruin the ending — but Michael does finally get a brain. The film begins at 7 p.m., followed by an onstage dance party that'll get you easing down your own imaginary yellow brick road.
Thu., Sept. 3, 7 p.m., 2009

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