THE WIZ: 2015 NBC LIVE MUSICAL

[Phillypinto]

EVERYBODY REJOICE!
The Wiz on TV and BROADWAY

[Starship]

If it couldn't be any better, it'll be created alongside Cirque du Soleil. Can't wait to see both the broadcast and Broadway production. This announcement brightened up my day!

[Phillypinto]

I freaking love the score!! Can we get Audra, Patina, and Billy in the show??

[Littleshopofcarrie]

Didn't see this in the article but Harvey Fierstein is also reworking the script!

[tazber]

Wonderful.

I'm ecstatic!

[gcal]

Rob Ashford will not be directing! Here's hoping we get some simple staging

[Kad]

"Harvey Fierstein is also reworking the script!"

Where has that been announced?

Also: ...why?

[tazber]

And the best part is "Broadway revival in the works".

[Starship]

If the broadcast does well, I can't even imagine the insane amount of casting that could happen. A Broadway revival will be arriving at a perfect time. I think it has a great shot at being successful. It's a classic story with a modern/contemporary twist to appeal to today's audiences. And, it has upbeat music and is family friendly. Plus, with Cirque du Soleil's flair, it'll be the talk of the town and a spectacle that will (hopefully) not be a trainwreck.

Janelle Monáe...Dulé Hill...Patti Labelle...Mary J Blige....Audra McDonald. A small (small) part of me even wants to see Eric Stonestreet as the Lion.

[Phillypinto]

Kad, its in the article

"Broadway icon Harvey Fierstein, who will contribute new material to the original Broadway book by William F. Brown."

[Alan Henry]

I feel like Tittus Burgess will be in this...

He was in The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt which was originally filmed for NBC - and NBC loves to re-use their people.

[Roscoe]

With Audra McDonald as Glinda, or is that just too easy?

[CarlosAlberto]

Fantastic news....and a Broadway revival as well? I didn't see that coming at all! It's long over due. THE WIZ has always been this underrated little gem. It needs to be seen in more or less it's original form.

[Phillypinto]

i was thinking that too Roscoe!

[Starship]

It'd be fun to see a new comer as Dorothy. I wouldn't even mind a young 16-ish year old. There's definitely more than a handful of talented up and comers.

And I could see Titus Burgess in this depending on when Kimmy Schmidt films.

[Gothampc]

I'm glad they chose The Wiz. It needs a viewing.

I'm a bit skittish about Cirque du Soleil being involved. First, because with The Wiz, less is more. With Cirque du Soleil, it's all about spectacle. While I find Cirque du Soleil acts interesting, I don't want to see Evilene traveling across the screen somersaulting on a wire.

And second, Cirque du Soleil will put in spectacle and the more spectacle means more chances that something will go wrong. I would like a Wiz with good choreography, not major spectacle.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Audra will be shooting B&TB most likely, I'm guessing LaChanze or Anaki Noni Rose as Glinda

[catmandoo]

Might Ms. McDonald be busy filming Beauty and The Beast if she does indeed sign on? I'm not sure when the filming would be going on.

And how about Samantha Marie Ware as Dorothy? She's kind of unknown, but does have a theatre background and might draw is some of the (albeit little) Glee Crowd. Cast the other roles with bigger names and they might get viewers (Which, I suspect might be a struggle after Peter Pan last year)

[Liza's Headband]

Janalle Monae as Dorothy is a no brainer.

[Kad]

"Might Ms. McDonald be busy filming Beauty and The Beast if she does indeed sign on?"

We still have no idea how the film is handling the enchanted objects. She may only be recording voice work, and perhaps shooting one or two shorter scenes as a person.

[DivosThoughts]

I am so excited and intrigued to see who they cast as what roles! Honestly, I feel like this will be NBC's best Live Musical yet (Also, this could be me being bias because The Wiz is one of my favorite musicals). I am just hoping Adrienne Warren will be part of this either in the live production or as Dorothy in the Broadway Revival, is she still young enough to play it? Just so excited! Also, does anyone else think Queen Latifah could be Evilene?

[jasonf]

I want Bruno Mars to play the Scarecrow. SNL showed he has the acting chops. The Uptown Funk video shows he has the dancing chops. And we know he can sing...

[NYadgal]

I am so excited by this news!

[Mister Matt]

Oh, how I'd love for Anika Noni Rose to be a part of this.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Even though he just extended his contract into February 2016, I still would love to see James Monroe Iglehart as The Lion (hopefully in the Broadway revival)!