NBC embarks on its latest musical holiday tradition with a live television production of the groundbreaking Broadway show that brought the vivid world of Oz to life in a fresh, funky sing-along journey down the yellow brick road.
Today, BWW catches up with Alison Dooley, Williams' Rahway High drama teacher who has been in close contact with her former student since rehearsals for the production got underway.
The man who brought funk and soul to Broadway got his big break on THE MONKEES.
On Thursday, October 22 (8PM) join executive producer Neil Meron and actors Shanice Williams, Elijah Kelley, David Alan Grier, and NE-YO for a discussion and Q&A about 'The Wiz Live!', at the Apple Store, Soho (103 Prince Street). NBC embarks on its latest musical holiday tradition with a live TV production of the groundbreaking Tony Award-winning Broadway show that gave a new voice to the vivid world of Oz in a fresh, funky, sing-a-long journey down the yellow brick road.
To attend the special event, register at https://s.apple.com/dE0c9J2R7g
Following up NBC's early peek at the highly stylized costumes for NBC's THE WIZ LIVE!, go behind the scenes at the photo shoot with Elijah Kelley as the Scarecrow, NE-YO as the Tin Man, David Alan Grier as the Cowardly Lion, and Shanice Williams as Dorothy! THE WIZ LIVE! airs Thursday, December 3rd.
Theatre fans have had a tenuous relationship with television musicals over the past few years. Whether it was the casual dismissal of GLEE after its strong first season, the hate-watching of SMASH, or the mixed-reactions to THE SOUND OF MUSIC and PETER PAN LIVE!, theatre fans have set a pretty high bar for programs that look to bring musical programming from stage to screen. With THE WIZ LIVE! and GREASE LIVE! still months away, a new musical TV show premieres tonight starring Tony-nominee Santino Fontana and Obie Award-winner Donna Lynne Champlin. CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND, the joyfully kooky comedy that debuts on The CW tonight at 8:00pm ET, was created by Upright Citizen's Brigade member Rachel Bloom, who also stars as the titular crazy character.
NBC has shared a special video entitled 'Live A Day In The Life With Shanice Williams' which chronicles the 19-year-old star of THE WIZ LIVE! from audition day to first table read.
NBC's THE WIZ LIVE!, its highly anticipated holiday production, will air on Thursday, December 3. Click below for the latest behind-the-scenes look at star Shanice Williams and her journey from Rahway, New Jersey, to her starring role as 'Dorothy' in the iconic musical!
On Twitter Watch, Neil Meron wrote 'Me & #Dorothy @LuvbeingShanice at promo shoot for #TheWizLive today @nbc @iamKENNYLEON
NBC's THE WIZ LIVE!, its highly anticipated holiday production, will air on Thursday, December 3 -- and winter can't come soon enough! ACCESS HOLLYWOOD just unveiled a new interview with star Shanice Williams. Click below to hear her talk about 'her first job' playing 'Dorothy' in the iconic musical!
NBC's THE WIZ LIVE! has just released a second promo for the highly anticipated holiday production featuring David Alan Grier.
Best known for her Emmy-winning portrayal of Suzanne 'Crazy Eyes' Warren on the hit Netflix series 'Orange Is the New Black,' actress Uzo Aduba (Broadway's GODSPELL) stopped by this morning's TODAY to share that she couldn't believe it when she got the call to play Glinda the Good
NBC's THE WIZ LIVE! just released a brand-new promo for the highly anticipated holiday production, featuring David Alan Grier talking about his daughter's reaction to him playing 'The Lion' - hear what he had to say below!
BroadwayWorld has just learned that Ne-Yo and Common have joined the cast, of NBC's highly-anticipated THE WIZ LIVE!. Ne-Yo will take on the role of the Tin Man, while Common portrays the gatekeeper of Oz, a non-sining role
Below, check out some of BWW's favorite performances from these talented stars!
Below, we bring you an exclusive interview with the lady of the hour, as shares with BroadwayWorld's own Richard Ridge the story of how she was cast, what happens between now and December, and so much more!
Tony Award nominee and multi-talented actor and singer David Alan Grier is joining NBC's highly anticipated holiday production of 'The Wiz Live!,' set for Thursday, Dec. 3.
NBC's The Wiz Live has found it's Dorothy! According to the show's official Facebook page, the announcement will be made tomorrow, August 5. They write: 'Who will play Dorothy in #TheWizLive? Find out tomorrow on the Today Show at 8:15am ET on NBC. We can't wait to share the news with you!'
NBC's The Wiz Live has found it's Dorothy! BroadwayWorld has just learned that Shanice Williams has joined the cast
Broadway is abuzz with news about NBC's upcoming presentation of The Wiz, with Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige and original Dorothy Stephanie Mills all having just signed on to star. They aren't the only ones with love for The Wiz though. On Monday night, January 20, 2014 BroadwayWorld.com kicked off our 10th anniversary celebration with a benefit for BC/EFA entitled BroadwayWorld.com Visits Oz. In celebration of this week's big news, we bring you our own concert highlights of The Wiz, including performances of 'So You Wanted to See the Wizard?,' 'Be A Lion,' 'Home,' 'If You Believe,' and of course, 'Ease on Down the Road.'
Grammy and Golden Globe-winner Queen Latifah has joined the cast of NBC's highly-anticipated musical, THE WIZ LIVE! in the role of the Wiz
New information on THE WIZ LIVE!
The men behind the magic audition Dorothys!
Music director and arranger Benjamin Rauhala took to Facebook today to express his pride in the Supreme Court's ruling on gay marriage. To celebrate, he posted a video of Broadway vet Jeremy Jordan performing Rauhala's mashup arrangement of 'Over The Rainbow' from THE WIZARD OF OZ and 'Home' from THE WIZ at 54 Below last fall. Check it out below!
Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are two of the most renowned producers working in the industry today. They are best known for their work on the past three Academy Awards ceremonies, The Sound of Music Live!, Peter Pan Live! and Smash. Their Broadway credits include Promises, Promises and How to Succeed in Buisness Without Really Trying. Film credits include Hairspray, Chicago, A Raisin in the Sun and Footloose. Upcoming projects include The Wiz Live!, the movie adaptation of Pippin and much more.
The men behind the magic audition Dorothys!
1975 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
1976 | US Tour |
1st National Tour US Tour |
1978 | US Tour |
2nd National Tour US Tour |
1980 |
Regional Revival |
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1984 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
1984 | West End |
London Revival West End |
1993 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway Revival Off-Broadway |
1997 | US Tour |
Touring Revival US Tour |
2006 | San Diego, CA (Regional) |
La Jolla Revival San Diego, CA (Regional) |
2015 | New York |
NBC Live Television Production New York |
2018 | St. Louis, MO (Regional) |
Muny Revival St. Louis, MO (Regional) |
2023 | US Tour |
US Tour US Tour |
2024 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Production Broadway |
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