BWW Exclusive: Von Trapps, Lost Boys, Nuns & More Offer Advice to the Cast of NBC's THE WIZ LIVE!

Today's the day! And a huge one it is for the company of NBC's THE WIZ LIVE! The Long Island soundstage that the cast and crew have been calling home for the past month will be bustling today as finishing touches are placed on the star-studded production. Theatre fans know that this won't be the first time that NBC has pulled off such a massive undertaking. 9.21 million people tuned in for last year's PETER PAN LIVE!, while THE SOUND OF MUSIC, presented in 2013, yielded a whopping 18.62 million live viewers- an unprecedented ratings boom for the network.

Few can understand the pressure that comes with this kind of attention, but the casts of THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE! and PETER PAN LIVE! have been through all of it before. BroadwayWorld has been in touch with both companies to find out if they have any advice for their successors. Find out what they had to say below!

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Sophia Anne Caruso (Brigitta in THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE!): I want to tell everyone involved with The Wiz both cast and crew, to enjoy every minute of your big night, and to be proud of all the hard work you put in to make it happen. My best advice is: You've done the hard work to get to this special night, now just have fun, relax, put your headphones on and 'don't you worry bout a thing'...as Stevie Wonder says. You'll do great!

Jason Gotay (Tootles in PETER PAN LIVE!): Best of luck to Neil, Craig, and the cast and crew of The Wiz Live! From what I've seen, this may be one of the best TV musicals of all time! So thrilled for what you all are about to experience. Soak in every moment and know that what you're working towards is going to impact and inspire so many people. Can't wait to see what you've cooked up!

Alan H. Green (Cookie the Pirate in PETER PAN LIVE!): Just remember when you finish your first bug number thursday night that there still isnt gonna be any applause. Dont let that throw you. Even though you finally have an audience you still dont get to hear them. But just know we are watching and rooting you all on (and clapping and screaming in our living rooms)!

Jacob Guzman (Lost Boy Twin in PETER PAN LIVE!): I'm so excited to watch you all in The Wiz Live! Enjoy every moment tonight when you perform because it's over so quickly! It is such a special experience that you all get to take part of and thousands of people get to take that journey with you. Break legs you guys!

F. Michael Haynie (Slightly in PETER PAN LIVE!): During #HollerBway Kenny Leon would do 10 push-ups with the entire company any time anyone made a mistake. We succeed and fail together. Here's to a push-up free show! And if that doesn't sound right, cause I DO mean it with love... Live Night at PPL was over in an instant. Though it was made better seeing Kelli O'Hara scurry over in her robe after her scene was done just so she could watch! Don't forget to watch the broadcast during when you can. It's magical!

Caitlin Houlahan (Jane Darling in PETER PAN LIVE!): Stay off any social media app the whole night. Those hours are the last magical moments you can spend together as a cast embracing all of the work and memories you've gone through together. Love what you do and do what you love :) break legs, it's going to be amazing!

Taylor Louderman (Wendy Darling in PETER PAN LIVE!): I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS PRODUCTION! :) I remember all of the jitters of anticipation leading up to the live event last year, but I kept reminding myself of all the little kids across the world who don't get a chance to see live theater! Unedited, real time, live action people just like them telling a story; you get to inspire them. How magical to be a part of something so powerful. I can't wait for the world to see THE WIZ! Congrats on all your hard work, I'll be #lovetweeting it!

Jake Lucas (John Darling in PETER PAN LIVE!): Get lots of sleep! You're going to have so much fun! It'll go by very quickly, so enjoy every moment. When you're used to performing to a live audience, it is so different performing when there is no in-house audience. Rest assured your cast, crew & family backstage will give you lots of support, energy and excitement after each scene. The tweets will be funny, too, if you're watching Twitter. I'll be rooting for you all and am so excited to see what you create. Plus, your show will be going to Broadway! Can't wait to see you all there, too! Break a leg!

Chris McCarrell (Nibs in PETER PAN LIVE!): Have a blast. You will never have your opening and closing night all within 3 hours ever again. It's so surreal.

Carrie Underwood (Maria von Trapp in THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE!) Oh my goodness...I'm so excited for #TheWiz tonight!!! SOOO much talent in one place...LIVE! WATCH IT! @maryjblige @common @IAMQUEENLATIFAH

Audra McDonald (Mother Abbess in THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE!): TONIGHT is the NIGHT! So excited to watch my friends blow us all away in The Wiz Live on NBC So excited & proud of you all!!

Laura Benanti (Elsa Schraeder in THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE!) I am so bummed I will be working and can't watch #TheWizLive tonight. Please live tweet so I can follow along! Saturday I will watch+tweet!

Kristine Nielsen (Frau Schmidt in THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE!): BREATHE, enjoy the moment 'cause it's over in a flash, and know that those fantastic cameramen and women have your back! And BREATHE! Have a blast!

Michael Nigro (Friedrich von Trapp in THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE!): With all the recent stories in the media, it's hard to imagine that a live television musical could break through and make news. This type of entertainment is exactly what America needs. I hope you take advantage of this unique opportunity to perform and make millions of people forget about their worries for a few hours. You are about to know what it's like to take part in the continuation of a sensational, musical tradition, so don't waste one second of it. #teamNBCLIVE

Christiane Noll (Sister Margaretta in THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE!): Such an exciting time for them now! Really thrilling! They are in the home stretch! Try not to think about all of the folks who will be watching! I would say turn off your social media (ha!) and just enjoy the moment! Love every second of each and every person there in that huge studio! It's incredibly special to be a part of one of these! Celebrate!!

Kelli O'Hara (Mrs. Darling in PETER PAN LIVE!): What a wild ride in store for you!! It feels like outer space but with serious gravity. Have a blast out there! I know I did!

Ariane Rinehart (Liesl von Trapp in THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE!): It is the most amazing/bizarre thing to know that opening night is also closing night and it doesn't really matter where you throw your costume during your quick change because you won't be putting it back on again (although I'm sure your dresser would beg to differ...) and MILLIONS OF PEOPLE will be tuning in to watch you absolutely kill it. The show looks FANTASTIC and I can't wait to watch another incredible and groundbreaking live production be streamed into so many homes across America. So get your bathroom break all timed out, soak up all of that love and talent for one more night, and Ease on Down the Road into our hearts (oh wow, I'm so sorry about that)."

Other stars send best wishes:

THE COLOR PURPLE's Jennifer Hudson: My friends have been working hard on #TheWiz! Can't wait to watch LIVE tmrw at 8PM on @NBC! http://shar.es/1ckTVF

Chris Rock: Something cool is happening tonight and my friends are part of it. Check out #TheWiz Live tonight at 8PM on NBC

GLEE's Chord Overstreet: I can't wait to see The Wiz and @MsAmberPRiley crush it this week.

Seth MacFarlane: My friends @craigzadan and @neilmeron have put together a hell of show-- Check out #TheWiz Live this Thu Dec 3 8pm NBC.

P!nk: Something cool is happening this week & my friends are part of it. Check out #TheWiz Live this Thu Dec 3 8pm NBC.