Believe! Craig Zadan Shares Several Updates On THE WIZ LIVE!

By: Jul. 27, 2015
Enter Your Email to Unlock This Article

Plus, get the best of BroadwayWorld delivered to your inbox, and unlimited access to our editorial content across the globe.




Existing user? Just click login.

New information on THE WIZ LIVE!

One of the most eagerly awaited events of the year for entertainment enthusiasts around the world is NBC's live presentation of classic Tony Award-winning funk/R&B musical THE WIZ, titled THE WIZ LIVE!, and now fresh new updates from the executive producer himself are now available.

Producer Craig Zadan shared several updates this weekend on the status of the production, relating, "What's new? We're very busy casting #TheWizLive. It's looking very good. & designs of the sets and costumes are original & fresh. All good," and "#TheWizLive has a strong creative team with director @iamKENNYLEON & choreographer #FatimaRobinson. It's such a thrill working with them."

Additionally, Zadan posted, "Our music team for #TheWizLive is exceptional with Grammy Award winning @HarveyMasonjr & Tony Award winning #stephenoremus. So excited," followed by, "So happy to have writer @HarveyFierstein on the team. His contribution's eye opening. And such a great spirit to inspire us all. #TheWizLive," and "Must say, #paultazewell's costume designs and @derekmclane's set designs for #TheWizLive, under the guidance of @iamKENNYLEON, are terrific."

This weekend, Zadan and co-producer Neil Meron posted a photo of director Kenny Leon and choreographer Fatima Robinson from the latest round of Dorothy auditions, with Meron offering, "#the wiz auditions with the great @iamKENNYLEON & fantastic #FatimaRobinson @nbc @craigzadan."

Zadan followed up shortly thereafter, retweeting the pic and sharing, "Wiz Live director @iamKENNYLEON & choreographer #FatimaRobinson @auditions last night. Our great team. More to come," which Kenny Leon then retweeted.

Follow Kenny Leon on Twitter here, Craig Zadan here and Neil Meron here.

The official description of THE WIZ LIVE! is as follows: "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 the streets of New York in a fresh, funky sing-along journey down the yellow brick road. Winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the original show was a massive hit on Broadway and even spawned a feature film starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. Now, a Tony-winning creative team, the hugely imaginative Cirque du Soleil Theatrical, and a diverse cast of showstopping performers will come together to create an eye-popping new take unlike anything seen before. From Executive Producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron comes an awe-inspiring adventure overflowing with stunning spectacle and toe-tapping music."

THE WIZ LIVE! airs on December 3 at 8 PM on NBC.

More information on THE WIZ LIVE! is available at the official site here.

View the new photo of Kenny Leon and company preparing THE WIZ LIVE! below.

Photo Credit: Twitter



Videos