Stephanie Mills News

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!

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 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!'

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: THE WIZ LIVE! eases on down the road tonight on NBC, and GIGANTIC opens off-Broadway!

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.

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

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.

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

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). 

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.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: 'BRIDGES' opens in Iowa, Jonathan Groff returns to HAMILTON and more!

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.

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.

BroadwayWorld was on set earlier this month as the company was readying for the big night and the whole creative team was on hand to tell us about the process so far. Find out how they all fell in love with THE WIZ, why the show speaks to them and more below!

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!

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.