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Kerry Washington, Laura Benanti, Anna Kendrick, Oprah and More Celebrities React to THE WIZ LIVE!
by Nora Dominick - Dec 4, 2015


THE WIZ LIVE! rocked NBC last night will over 11 million viewers and celebrities were among the biggest fans of the night. Last year, the Twittersphere exploded with tens of thousands of viewer responses to NBC's Peter Pan Live! and this year the tweets didn't slow down! 

VIDEO: Watch 'Home', 'Brand New Day' & More Musical Performances from THE WIZ LIVE!
by Caryn Robbins - Dec 4, 2015


Below, watch the talented cast performing 'Home', 'No Bad News,' 'He's The Wiz,' 'So You Wanted to Meet the Wizard,' 'Branded New Day' and 'Ease On Down the Road.'

BWW Review: THE WIZ LIVE! Proves 'Home' is Where the Heart Is; a Star is Born in Shanice Williams
by Matt Tamanini - Dec 4, 2015


Thanks to Tony-winner Kenny Leon and a delightfully entertaining cast of characters, 'Home' is most certainly where the heart is this holiday season. Coming into this year's NBC live musical, theatre lovers nationwide were appropriately apprehensive, given the spotty results from THE SOUND OF MUSIC and PETER PAN. However, in THE WIZ LIVE!, we were finally given a production worthy of the show's beloved Broadway legacy. Executive Producers Neil Meron and Craig Zadan still haven't solved the riddle of recreating a stage show's scope and grandeur on screen without an audience, but with a once-in-a-lifetime star, and one of the most acclaimed casts in recent memory, for the first time since this annual experiment began in 2013, there's truly a reason to rejoice!

BWW Updating Live! Stars of Stage and Screen React to THE WIZ LIVE
by Kaitlin Milligan - Dec 3, 2015


NBC's upcoming holiday production of THE WIZ LIVE! will air TONIGHT at 8pm EST!  The production will star newcomer Shanice Williams as Dorothy alongside Grammy and Golden Globe-winner Queen Latifah as the Wizard, nine-time Grammy-winner Mary J. Blige as Evillene, original Dorothy, Stephanie Mills, as Auntie Em and David Alan Grier as the Cowardly Lion. For More Information, Click Here.

'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for December 2nd, 2015
by Paul W. Thompson - Dec 3, 2015


The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'The Wiz Live!' has arrived, as have the casts of three tours to the Loop. 'Bridges' is in Iowa, though. The Marriott takes on 'Spring Awakening,' and the Piccolo Theatre, Congo Square and Theo Ubique do December in their own ways. The Second City opens another revue, and in Milwaukee, 'My Fair Lady!'

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.

VIDEOS: Broadway's Road To THE WIZ; Five Early-70s Musicals About Black Urban Life
by Michael Dale - Dec 2, 2015


THE WIZ was part of a growing trend of the 1970s when urban black stories and music were making their way to Broadway.

BWW Feature: Countdown to THE WIZ LIVE! A Brief History of Live TV Musicals From The Golden Age
by Jeffrey Walker - Dec 3, 2015


Relive the Golden Age of Broadway and the magical moments from TV's past with Ethel Merman, Mary Martin, Frank Sinatra, Julie Andrews,Carol Burnett and many more as we look at the history of live TV musicals.

VIDEO: Shanice Williams Sings 'Home' in All-New Promo for THE WIZ LIVE!
by Caryn Robbins - Dec 2, 2015


Below, check out an all-new promo for the show, featuring Williams singing the iconic song 'Home'.

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 Feature: Musical Histories of THE WIZ LIVE!'s Witches, Uzo Aduba, Amber Riley, Mary J. Blige
by Matt Tamanini - Dec 1, 2015


In anticipation of this star-studded event, throughout the week, we are going to be looking at the impressive musical careers (and when possible, musical theatre careers) of THE WIZ LIVE! stars. Today, we are hopping on our brooms and checking out some of the best moments in the singing careers of Oz's newest witches, whether they are wicked or good. First, we will look at some clips from 'Crazy' talented Broadway baby Uzo Aduba, who will play Glinda. Then, we will look at the career of GLEE-ful dancing champ Amber Riley, who plays Addaperle, and finally we will close out our list with Evillene, played by the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige.

THE WIZ LIVE Announces Partnership with Reddi-Wip
by Tyler Peterson - Nov 30, 2015


NBCUniversal today announced that Reddi-wip will partner with NBC's live television production of the hit Broadway musical "The Wiz Live," set for December 3rd (8:00PM EST). The partnership is an extension of Reddi-wip's "Share the Joy" program aiming to help people experience more joy every day, and, in this case, the joy of music. The campaign also will feature contextually relevant branded content that reflects that mission, and is also an example of how NBC uses its unique storytelling capabilities to impact communities through the power of entertainment.

VIDEO: Go Behind-the-Scenes with THE WIZ LIVE! Cast; Plus Sneak Peek!
by Caryn Robbins - Nov 30, 2015


This morning's TODAY chatted with the THE WIZ LIVE! stars Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, David Alan Grier, Ne-Yo and Shanice Williams as they prepare for the big night.

BWW Feature: Musical Histories of THE WIZ LIVE!'s Native Ozians, Queen Latifah, Common, Stephanie Mills
by Matt Tamanini - Nov 30, 2015


In anticipation of this star-studded event, over the next few days, we are going to be looking at the impressive musical careers (and when possible, musical theatre careers) of THE WIZ LIVE! stars. Today, we are going to throw open the gates of the Emerald City and look at the stars making their home in Oz. First, Queen Latifah as The Wizard of Oz, then Common as the Bouncer, and finally Stephanie Mills as Auntie Em. While Auntie Em never actually does make it to Oz, since Mills has been a major part in the journey of THE WIZ for over 40 years, I think it is safe to say that she is an official Ozian!

BWW Interview: Broadway Animal Trainer Bill Berloni Is Getting Toto in Top Shape for THE WIZ LIVE!
by Nicole Rosky - Dec 2, 2015


BroadwayWorld was on set earlier this month as the company was readying for the big night and we checked in with animal trainer BIll Berloni, who is working with Toto (played by Scooter), to find out how rehearsals have been going so far. Check out the full interview below!

Shanice Williams Checks In Before THE WIZ LIVE!: 'I'm Going to Do a Lot of Prayin'
by Nicole Rosky - Dec 3, 2015


The big day has arrived! THE WIZ LIVE! airs tonight, December 3, at 8PM/7c. The production will star newcomer Shanice Williams as Dorothy alongside Grammy and Golden Globe-winner Queen Latifah as the Wizard, nine-time Grammy-winner Mary J. Blige as Evillene, original Dorothy, Stephanie Mills, as Auntie Em and David Alan Grier as the Cowardly Lion.

BWW Interview: Harvey Fierstein on Adapting THE WIZ for TV: 'I Got to Answer All the Questions That I Had'
by Nicole Rosky - Dec 1, 2015


BroadwayWorld was on set earlier this month as the company was readying for the big night and we checked in with Harvey Fierstein to find out what kind of changes he made to the book to make it more modern. Check out the full interview below!

So You Wanted to Meet the Cast? Stephanie Mills Weighs in on Shanice Williams: 'She's Going to Be a Superstar'
by Nicole Rosky - Dec 2, 2015


We are another day closer to NBC's highly-anticipated musical special, THE WIZ LIVE!, which airs Thursday, December 3, at 8PM/7c. The production will star newcomer Shanice Williams as Dorothy alongside Grammy and Golden Globe-winner Queen Latifah as the Wizard, nine-time Grammy-winner Mary J. Blige as Evillene, original Dorothy, Stephanie Mills, as Auntie Em and David Alan Grier as the Cowardly Lion.

Ne-Yo & Elijah Kelley Dish on the New Song in Tonight's THE WIZ LIVE!: 'It's Bigger Than Just a Song'
by Nicole Rosky - Dec 3, 2015


The big day is her! THE WIZ LIVE! airs tonight, December 3, at 8PM/7c. The production will star newcomer Shanice Williams as Dorothy alongside Grammy and Golden Globe-winner Queen Latifah as the Wizard, nine-time Grammy-winner Mary J. Blige as Evillene, original Dorothy, Stephanie Mills, as Auntie Em and David Alan Grier as the Cowardly Lion.

THE WIZ Character Card #4 Queen Latifah as The Wiz
by Robert Diamond - Dec 2, 2015


The multi-talented star is a Golden Globe, Grammy and Screen Actors Guild Award winner, and has earned Emmy and Oscar nominations.

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