BWW Feature: Musical Histories of THE WIZ LIVE!'s Friends, Grier, Kelley, Ne-Yo, Williams
by Matt Tamanini
- Dec 2, 2015
In anticipation of this star-studded event, throughout the week, we are looking at the impressive musical careers (and when possible, musical theatre careers) of THE WIZ LIVE! stars. Today, we are easing on down the road with the group at the center of the story, the four characters affectionately referred to as 'The Friends;' Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion. This group has a two-time Tony nominee and comedy legend, a rising Hollywood star, a three-time Grammy winning R&B icon, and a virtual unknown in the role of a lifetime.
BWW LIVE Blog: NBC Eases on Down the Road with THE WIZ LIVE!, 12/3 at 8PM! Follow Along LIVE!
by Matt Smith
- Dec 3, 2015
Can YOU feel a brand new day? We're gearing up to ease on down the road with powerhouse newcomer Shanice Williams and the rest of the gang from Oz, when THE WIZ LIVE! premieres Thursday, December 3, at 8pm on NBC.
Of course, as was the case in 2013's THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE! and last year's PETER PAN LIVE!, the cast is certainly not short on big-name talent — and most come with Broadway or theatrical credits, no less. As if you didn't already know, be sure to look out for Queen Latifah (of 2002's CHICAGO and 2007's HAIRSPRAY), Elijah Kelley (also of 2007's HAIRSPRAY), Uzo Aduba (of CORAM BOY and 2011's GODSPELL), and David Alan Grier (2012's PORGY AND BESS).
BWW Exclusive: Von Trapps, Lost Boys, Nuns & More Offer Advice to the Cast of NBC's THE WIZ LIVE!
by Nicole Rosky
- Dec 3, 2015
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!
THE WIZ Character Card #2 Ne-Yo as Tin Man
by Robert Diamond
- Nov 30, 2015
A Grammy Award-winning singer, composer, producer and actor, NE-YO (born Shaffer C. Smith) is a talent sought by many artists. Not only does he have three No. 1 albums, more than 10 million albums sold worldwide and three Grammys of his own, he has also written and produced chart-topping hits for today's biggest stars, including Rihanna, Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Carrie Underwood and Celine Dion.
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