NBC is offering its first look at “The Wiz Live!”
After much anticipation, the network has released an image featuring its four main characters: David Alan Grier as the Cowardly Lion, Shanice Williams as Dorothy, Ne-Yo as the Tin Man and Elijah Kelley as the Scarecrow. And we’re totally here for it! Rounding out the cast are Queen Latifah as the iconic Wiz and Mary J. Blige as Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West. “Orange Is the New Black” star Uzo Aduba nabbed the role of Glinda, the Good Witch.
As previously reported, “The Wiz” tells the familiar tale of The Wizard of Oz in a multicultural context. First adapted as a 1978 film starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Lena Horne and Richard Pryor, it centers around Dorothy, a young woman from Kansas who is swept up in a tornado and relocated to a fantasy world populated by munchkins, good and bad witches, winkies and flying monkeys. Eventually, she journeys down a yellow-brick road to find a wizard who can help her get home. She meets a scarecrow, a tin man and a cowardly lion, who accompany Dorothy on her adventure.
Keeping up with its musical holiday tradition, NBC’s “The Wiz Live!” marks the network’s third live-event special following “The Sound of Music” and “Peter Pan,” both of which were executive produced by former Oscar helmers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. The duo is also executive producing “The Wiz,” alongside Tony-winning director Kenny Leon on board as director.
The special will air Thursday, Dec. 3, on NBC. Will you be watching?
