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