The Wiz Live! 2015 - Articles Page 26

Below, we bring you an exclusive interview with the lady of the hour, as shares with BroadwayWorld's own Richard Ridge the story of how she was cast, what happens between now and December, and so much more!

Tony Award nominee and multi-talented actor and singer David Alan Grier is joining NBC's highly anticipated holiday production of 'The Wiz Live!,' set for Thursday, Dec. 3.

NBC's The Wiz Live has found it's Dorothy! According to the show's official Facebook page, the announcement will be made tomorrow, August 5. They write: 'Who will play Dorothy in #TheWizLive? Find out tomorrow on the Today Show at 8:15am ET on NBC. We can't wait to share the news with you!'

NBC's The Wiz Live has found it's Dorothy! BroadwayWorld has just learned that Shanice Williams has joined the cast

Broadway is abuzz with news about NBC's upcoming presentation of The Wiz, with Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige and original Dorothy Stephanie Mills all having just signed on to star. They aren't the only ones with love for The Wiz though. On Monday night, January 20, 2014 BroadwayWorld.com kicked off our 10th anniversary celebration with a benefit for BC/EFA entitled BroadwayWorld.com Visits Oz. In celebration of this week's big news, we bring you our own concert highlights of The Wiz, including performances of 'So You Wanted to See the Wizard?,' 'Be A Lion,' 'Home,' 'If You Believe,' and of course, 'Ease on Down the Road.'

Grammy and Golden Globe-winner Queen Latifah has joined the cast of NBC's highly-anticipated musical, THE WIZ LIVE! in the role of the Wiz

New information on THE WIZ LIVE!

The men behind the magic audition Dorothys!

Music director and arranger Benjamin Rauhala took to Facebook today to express his pride in the Supreme Court's ruling on gay marriage. To celebrate, he posted a video of Broadway vet Jeremy Jordan performing Rauhala's mashup arrangement of 'Over The Rainbow' from THE WIZARD OF OZ and 'Home' from THE WIZ at 54 Below last fall. Check it out below!

Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are two of the most renowned producers working in the industry today. They are best known for their work on the past three Academy Awards ceremonies, The Sound of Music Live!, Peter Pan Live! and Smash. Their Broadway credits include Promises, Promises and How to Succeed in Buisness Without Really Trying. Film credits include Hairspray, Chicago, A Raisin in the Sun and Footloose. Upcoming projects include The Wiz Live!, the movie adaptation of Pippin and much more.

The men behind the magic audition Dorothys!

A first glimpse of the men behind the magic!

NBC is having an open casting call for the lead role of Dorothy in the network's upcoming holiday special “The Wiz Live!,” set for Thursday, Dec. 3.

Tony Award winner, George Faison taps multi-genre recording artist Damien Sneed as the musical director and conductor for the CityParks Foundation's Central Park's SummerStage production of "The Wiz: A Celebration in Dance & Music" on Wednesday, August 12 at Rumsey Playfield, located on East 72nd Street, off Fifth Avenue in Central Park. The event is free, doors open at 7:00 p.m. and show time is 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. On Thursday, August 13, and Friday, August 14, the production will be held at Marcus Garvey Park at 120th Street and Fifth Avenue in Harlem, show time is 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. The Wiz: A Celebration in Dance & Music will be produced, directed and choreographed by George Faison and Timothy Graphenreed is the musical supervisor and dance arranger for the production.  

BWW has confirmed today that NBC will host an open casting call for 'Dorothy' in THE WIZ LIVE in NYC next month.

In honor of this week's big casting coup coming in the form of original Dorothy Stephanie Mills joining the cast of NBC's live musical presentation of THE WIZ later this year, titled THE WIZ LIVE!, today we are posing some possible casting suggestions that line up with the thoughtful and affectionate choice of Mills as Auntie Em by taking a look at some of the other original leads and stars associated with the property who could be perfect fits for the live telecast as well as some familiar faces who would be ideally cast in the Oz-centric musical spectacular. Tony Award-winning Broadway divas to Hollywood superstars and beyond, this list has more potential than munchkins in Oz!

Will it be THE WIZ or THE MUSIC MAN or maybe something else entirely?!

The 26th annual edition of Gypsy of the Year raised a record-breaking $5,229,611 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, thanks to six weeks of fundraising by 64 Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies. The grand total was announced Tuesday, December 9, 2014, by special guests Hugh Jackman, Nathan Lane and Judith Light after two stellar performances of original dances, songs and skits by more than 200 'gypsies' from Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. Scroll down for photos from the event!

Today we celebrate the life of Tony Award-winning director, choreographer and artist Geoffrey Holder in honor of his death this week at the age of 84.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestra's begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven- o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: James Snyder, The Trevor Project, Judy Kaye Sings Bernstein & Sondheim, Remembering Elaine Stritch, and 54 Sings The Wiz.

54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, celebrates the Tony Award-winning musical, The Wiz, with '54 Below Sings The Wiz,' part of the '54 Sings Series.' '54 Below Sings The Wiz' will play two performances only: Sunday, August 10 at 7PM and 9:30PM. To make a reservation, visit www.54below.com. Cover starts at $50. $25 food & beverage minimum.

54 Below has announced the latest musical scores to be featured in its acclaimed '54 Sings' concert series this summer:

Roundabout Theatre Company's production of VIOLET, starring Sutton Foster, Colin Donnell, Alexander Gemignani and Joshua Henry, begins previews tomorrow, March 28, 2014. VIOLET officially opens on April 20, 2014 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). Scroll down to learn more about the full company and check out a sneak peek performance and interviews with the cast!

IF/THEN, starring Idina Menzel (aka 'Adele Dazeem'), begins previews tomorrow, March 5, and officially opens on March 30 at Broadway's Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street). Scroll down to learn more about the full cast, plus watch interviews and footage of the company performing in last month's NYC fan concert of the musical!

South Bend Civic Theatre commemorates the 75th anniversary of the classic movie "The Wizard of Oz" by presenting The Wiz, with music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls and book by William F. Brown. Winner of 7 Tony Awards, this original take of the journey of Dorothy through the Land of Oz will entertain and delight audience members of all ages.