Ashanti has won a Grammy, American Music, Billboard Aretha Franklin Entertainer of the Year and World Music Awards. She also holds a Guinness Book of World Records title for most albums sold by any debut artist. But notice that none those have anything to do with acting. Trust me when I say this, the bitch can sing but can’t act to save her dying (or already dead) music career. Haven’t we all seen the trailer for John Tucker Must Die? The trailer was enough warning not to see the movie.

This summer Ashanti stars as Dorothy in the revival of The Wiz on Broadway. While her character would usually be the center of attention, gravity is more pulled towards her co-stars: Orlando Jones (The Wiz), LaChanze (Aunt Em/Glinda), Joshua Henry (Tinman), James Iglehart (Lion), Christian White (Scarecrow) and Tichna Arnold (Evillene). While Ashanti’s emotionless face settles into the scene, the rest of the chorus brings the audience to captivating storyline (which we all know how it ends), it’s still entertaining and enjoyable for the family.

With powerful ballads such as the Tinman’s “What Would I Do If I Could Feel?” and Evillene’s “No Bad News”, they triumph the house with roars like the Lion. Though the acting was lacking throughout the spoken word, the songs gave life to the show. Sometimes you need music to bring life and paying a $50+ ticket would do just that! (Thank God for press comp tickets.) But if you enjoy decent acting, comical G-rated jokes and ridiculously high-pitching show tunes, this is the place to be.

By no means would this present production could ever replace 1978 The Wiz starring legendary Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and Mabel King. There’s no comparison to it but the storyline. Remember, originality is best served once…and once only.