This Holiday season will see NBC revive the iconic tale of ‘The Wizard of OZ’ for a modern audience.
Boasting an “urban” skew, ‘THE WIZ LIVE!’ (which airs December 3rd at 8/7c) stars newcomer Shanice Williams as Dorothy, Ne-Yo as Tinman, Elijah Kelly as Scarecrow, and David Alan Grier as Lion.
Helping the quad ease on down the road are Queen Latifah – who‘ll portray the Wiz in the live production, and Mary J. Blige who will play Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West.
The original African-American retelling of the classic narrative opened on Broadway in 1975, ran for four years, and bagged seven Tony Awards – including Best Musical.
Thereafter, the musical was famously turned into a film in 1978, starring Diana Ross (as Dorothy), Michael Jackson, Lena Horne and Richard Pryor.
What will the 2015 incarnation look like? Wonder no more because a first look at the cast has been unveiled. Check ’em out below…
Pictured: Ne-Yo as Tinman
Pictured: Shanice Williams as Dorothy
Pictured: Elijah Kelly as Scarecrow
Pictured: David Alan Grier as Lion
I didn’t know Annalise was playing the scarecrow!!! Awwwe siiiiiiiiissssssss, it wasn’t just a Halloween costume :(. I thought that hair that was on your head was decent…I knew it was cheap, but FREE? Damn we’re using straw for our outfits AND hair? Stop letting these crows fvck you for free.
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https://youtu.be/s9ruJhnKCUc
Casting all wrong. This will flop
Interesting; should be good !!! I’d like to be apart of this actually.., looks funn!!!
I can’t wait it’s gonna be good
they cast a no-name in the part of Dorothy.
Someone needs to be cursed out.
they cast closet case NeYo also.
A cast of c- stars.
girl bye
Mary j blige is not c list hater movie will do great u mad u can’t get NBC money lmao
Everybody has to have their start somewhere & given their first shot, especially new upcoming actors/actresses.
Wish Dorothy was a known person. But hey..I’ll still tune in
That was what producers wanted new talent hatin ass blacks I swear
Amber Riley or Brandy should have been Dorothy. This cast will not draw a large audience. Neyo and Mary J Blige no longer have the star power they once had. They are B-List one trick ponies.
Ummm excuse me mary is a legend still doing big things don’t derespect Her like that b-list is something mary never will be ! Thank you
Yes, excuse you. Being a legend does not equate to having A-list popularity. If it did, all of our legends would be at the top of the charts right now but sadly they are not. Because the producers chose an unknown for the lead role, they have to rely on the supporting cast to draw in the audience. NONE of these performers are big draws for television with the exception of maybe Queen Latifah. This special will tank.