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The Wiz Will Be The Next NBC Live Musical + Tell Us Your Dream Cast

Andrew Shade
By Andrew Shade

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Well, NBC broke the internet yesterday with the announcement that their next live musical will air on December 3rd with a production of The Wiz. It was rumored that the production was suppose to be a live version of The Music Man but that has been put to sleep with this breaking news. As soon as we heard we could not contain ourselves. Us, along with the rest of the twitter-verse, began to go up in arms.

According to Deadline:

NBC has partnered with Cirque du Soleil to co-produce the live event. It will then become a Broadway revival for the 2016-17 season.Once again Craig Zadan and Neil Meron will exec produce. Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon will stage both the television production and Broadway revival, in collaboration with Tony winner and Broadway icon Harvey Fierstein, who will contribute new material to the original Broadway book by William F. Brown.

Little did we know, the announcement was only the beginning. The excitement quickly turned to anticaption and axiety of who will be cast in this live production directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon. Everyone had their own ideas and must haves in that list. Some of which included Janelle Monae, Jennifer Hudson, LaChanze, Audra McDonald, Tittuss Burgess, & Billy Porter, just to name a few.

Everyone had their own version they thought worked best but, if you didnt get a chance to create your own, there is still time! Tell us your dream cast for NBC’s live version. It’s fun to imagine but we’re pretty sure we don’t have anything to worry about. Kenny Leon told us himself

And just for good measure:

PSA: The Musical Version of The Wiz and the movie version of The Wiz ARE NOT THE SAME. Prepare yourself and cast accordingly

The Wiz is adapted from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. Subsequently, Baum’s book was adapted as a stage musical with a book by William F. Brown, and music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls. The adaptation, which featured an all-black cast, debuted in October, 1974 at the Morris Mechanic Theatre in Baltimore. Starring Stephanie Mills as Dorthoy. It moved to Broadway’s Majestic Theatre on January, 1975, where it ran for four years and won seven Tonys, including best musical.

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Andrew Shade
Andrew Shade
Drew Shade is a visionary creative force at the intersection of Black theatre, media, and culture. As the Founder and Creative Director of Broadway Black, Off-Book: The Podcast, and The Antonyo Awards, he champions artistic excellence and amplifies the voices of Black theatre artists with intention, heart, and unapologetic pride. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Playbill, Deadline, The Observer, and Apple TV’s Dear…, and he's collaborated with brands and institutions such as NBC, BET, Audible, Universal Pictures, SheaMoisture, The Public Theater, Signature Theatre, National Black Theatre, and more. He has also served as a cultural consultant and curator for countless Broadway productions for over a decade — establishing himself as a trusted voice and tastemaker in theatre and media. In addition to his work behind the scenes, Shade is a performer and creative artist in his own right, with credits including Classical Theatre of Harlem’s The First Noel at The Apollo, The Preacher’s Wife musical at The Alliance Theatre, and a Sondheim tribute concert at Carnegie Hall led by Tituss Burgess. He’s also lent his voice to campaigns for Google and continues to explore visual storytelling through photography — from red carpets to press coverage. Rooted in joy, justice, and the belief that Black theatre is both legacy and revolution, Shade continues to build platforms and shine light where it’s long been overdue — so Black artists are seen, heard, and celebrated on their own terms. “Have a belief in yourself that is bigger than anyone’s disbelief.” – August Wilson

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  2. […] is your chance! NBC will hold an open call for the role of Dorothy in #TheWizLive. As soon as the announcement was made that the network would be airing The Wiz as their next live musical tons of people were asking us for more information and looking for an audition notice. Well, your […]

  4. LMAO I love the 48 pt font disclaimer! Can I e-hug y’all?

    These are my recommendations for the special. Some of these folks can go on to the ongoing stage production; many will not because of other obligations.

    Dorothy: Keke Palmer (secondary: Zendaya)
    The Scarecrow: Jussie Smollett (secondary: Elijah Kelley)
    The Tin Man: Usher
    The Cowardly Lion: Tituss Burgess or James Monroe Igleheart

    Addapearl, The Good Witch of the North: Janelle Monae
    Evilene, The Wicked Witch of the West: Tichina Arnold (go find the YouTube video of her doing “No Bad News” in 2009)
    The Wiz: Wayne Brady (Secondary: Don Cheadle)
    Glinda, the Good Witch of the South: Stephanie Mills*

    • You receive that e-hug and send it right back to you! Thank you for your cast list! This sounds marvelous. Now lets cross our fingers that their cast list is as good as yours!

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