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NBC Planning Live TV Version of The Wiz Musical

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  • Member

They're actually doing open call auditions for the role of Dorothy.

Slated for June 6 at Telsey + Company, the call will run from 10:00 am- 2:00pm, with sign-in beginning at 9:00 am. Per the announcement, the network is looking for a female, African-American performer over the age of 18, who "must have an extraordinary voice that can still tell a story, and maturity with a youthful energy."

Those interested in attending the open call must come prepared to perform a short section of 'Home,' Ease on Down the Road,' or 'Be a Lion' a capella.

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  • Member

It also sounds like they've finally learned from their mistakes in casting Carrie Underwood and Allison Williams.

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I read that Stephanie Mills will be playing Auntie Em! Yay!

Hopefully they will scour the Broadway theaters and Performing Arts schools to find the right Dorothy but when I read in Variety that they were searching for someone new, I couldn't help but think that it's probably for the best, as long as they find someone who has the talent to do Live musical theater.

Too bad the Apollo Theater has been reduced to basically a tourist/fundraising/benefit space now because the Apollo used to uncover some gems of talented performers!

Edited by DramatistDreamer

  • 2 months later...
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I'm not mad at Latifah playing the Wiz, kind of a cool twist having the Wiz be a woman and QL has a pretty decent comedic sensibility, if they decide to continue in that vein. I guess singing Wiz, it is!

I'm going to reserve judgement on M.J. Blige although honestly, she didn't come to mind when I thought of who'd play Evilene.

Edited by DramatistDreamer

  • Member

We have our Dorothy.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/shes-home-meet-the-actress-who-will-star-as-dorothy-in-the-wiz-356068

Williams' casting was announced on "The Today Show" Aug. 5. Instead of going for a young newcomer, producers chose the 42-year-old Grammy-nominated R&B singer with an unearthly vocal range. She's best known for her 1990's Top 100 hits "When I Close My Eyes, Silent Prayer" and "Saving Forever for You," but she made a bit of Broadway history in 1997 when she became the first African-American actress to play Eponine in during its original Broadway run. She also supplied vocals for Alan Menken's "If I Never Knew You", a duet with Jon Secada, for the soundtrack of Disney's 1995 animated film musical "Pocahontas."

  • Member

Feels like they're casting this better than their last two live musicals. I think they've learned their lesson.

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  • Member

We have our Dorothy.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/shes-home-meet-the-actress-who-will-star-as-dorothy-in-the-wiz-356068

Williams' casting was announced on "The Today Show" Aug. 5. Instead of going for a young newcomer, producers chose the 42-year-old Grammy-nominated R&B singer with an unearthly vocal range. She's best known for her 1990's Top 100 hits "When I Close My Eyes, Silent Prayer" and "Saving Forever for You," but she made a bit of Broadway history in 1997 when she became the first African-American actress to play Eponine in during its original Broadway run. She also supplied vocals for Alan Menken's "If I Never Knew You", a duet with Jon Secada, for the soundtrack of Disney's 1995 animated film musical "Pocahontas."

She looks like a great choice!

  • 1 month later...
  • 2 months later...
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More pics, and I have to say, this production is not skimping on the costumes, especially the witches!  

 

 

14482920233669.jpg?w=1800&h=1172

the-wiz-800.jpg

Edited by DramatistDreamer

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