Stephanie Mills The Wiz, Orfeh Legally Blonde, Lucas Steele Natasha, Pierre amp The Great Comet Of 1812 and NBC's Gus Rosendale will join Stephanie J. Block Falsettos, The Mystery Of Edwin Drood, Mandy Gonzalez Hamilton, In The Heights, Mario Cantone 'The View', Robert Creighton Cagney, Randy Graff City Of Angels, The Babylon Line, to perform at the seventh annual Broadway Belts For Pff hosted by the one-and-only actress and comedienne Julie Halston.
- 2/9/2017
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
NBC aired its colorful holiday production of The Wiz Live last night, featuring 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. Whether you missed the special presentation when it aired or just want to re-live the amazing journey through Oz, watch the entire show below...
- 12/5/2015
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
NBC's musical television production of The Wiz Live stars world-class performers and recording artists including Queen Latifah Chicago, Mary J. Blige Empire, Ne-Yo Red Tails, and David Alan Grier In Living Color. Staying true to the groundbreaking Broadway show that put a vivid urban spin on the land of Oz, this fresh new trip down the yellow brick road also stars Common Being Charlie, Elijah Kelley Hairspray, Uzo Aduba Orange is the New Black, Amber Riley Glee, Stephanie Mills The Love Boat, and newcomer Shanice Williams as Dorothy. Also included on the DVD will be the NBC special, The Making of The Wiz Live, featuring the behind-the-scenes story of producing this live television event...
- 12/4/2015
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Shanice Williams, take your victory lap. The Wiz Live! star became just that, a star last night. The 18-year-old newcomer from New Jersey helped make NBC's latest live musical a hit, easily tackling the classics from the show, including "Home" and "Ease on Down the Road." Executive producer Neil Meron said it best. "Definitely a star is born. Get ready, America. This is only the first time people are going to be seeing Shanice Williams," he told us prior to the show's debut. See Williams tackle "Home" below. In The Wiz Live, an all-star cast including Ne-Yo, Elijah Kelley, David Alan Grier, Stephanie Mills, Amber Riley, Uzo Aduba, Common, Mary J. Blige and Queen Latifah joined...
- 12/4/2015
- E! Online
Twitter turned out on Thursday (Dec. 3) night ready and eager for a favorite new annual tradition: Eviscerating an NBC live musical for cheap sets, incoherent direction, unimaginative choreography and bland stars getting upstaged by Broadway veterans in all-too-tiny cameos. Curses. It took less than five minutes for NBC's The Wiz Live! to crush dreams of an evening spent in glorious communal mockery, as Dorothy (revelatory newcomer Shanice Williams) was whisked away from her disappointing prairie life (and non-disappointing Aunt Em, played by Original Dorothy, Stephanie Mills) in a nightmarish maelstrom of digital twister effects augmented by
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- 12/4/2015
- by Daniel Fienberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Coming off last year’s so-so Peter Pan Live!, the pressure was on 2015’s candidate, The Wiz Live (what happened to the exclamation point?) to restore health and good vibrations to NBC’s holiday-season, live-musical franchise.
I’m pleased to report, then, that won’t nobody bring you no bad news. Led by newcomer Shanice Williams, Queen of Hip-Hop Soul Mary J. Blige, actual queen Queen Latifah and Stephanie Mills (aka Broadway’s original Dorothy), The Wiz Live was a gorgeously sung, technically solid and surprisingly zippy two hours and 45 minutes.
RelatedTVLine’s 10 Best Drama Series of 2015
Oh sure, there...
I’m pleased to report, then, that won’t nobody bring you no bad news. Led by newcomer Shanice Williams, Queen of Hip-Hop Soul Mary J. Blige, actual queen Queen Latifah and Stephanie Mills (aka Broadway’s original Dorothy), The Wiz Live was a gorgeously sung, technically solid and surprisingly zippy two hours and 45 minutes.
RelatedTVLine’s 10 Best Drama Series of 2015
Oh sure, there...
- 12/4/2015
- TVLine.com
The Wiz Live! airs tonight! The highly-anticipated NBC musical event airs at 8 p.m., so there's just a couple of hours left for everyone to prepare. So what do you need to know? First of all, this cast is awesome. Mary J. Blige is Evillene the Wicked Witch, Queen Latifah is The Wiz, David Alan Grier is the Cowardly Lion, Ne-Yo is the Tin Man, Uzo Aduba is Glinda the Good Witch, Elijah Kelley is the Scarecrow, Common is the Bouncer, Amber Riley is Addapearle the Good Witch, Stephanie Mills is Aunt Em and Shanice Williams is Dorothy! Watch the E! News video above to find out what else you can expect on the show! Be sure to watch The Wiz Live! tonight at 8 p.m. on NBC. (E! and...
- 12/4/2015
- E! Online
Excited for The Wiz Live! tonight? So are we, and so is Ne-Yo, who plays the Tin-Man in the gigantic live production of the beloved musical. "I grew up on The Wiz [the 1978 movie] and was a huge fan of the film," the singer told E! News. "I never got to see the Broadway production, but I know that Stephanie Mills was the original Dorothy, and now she's Auntie Em for this one, and it's just full circle." "I am beyond honored to be a part of this," said Ne-Yo. "The Wiz, for us—and when I say us I mean African Americans—it was our version of The Wizard of Oz, but we don't want to even go into this like that. We want this to be more of a universal thing. There's a...
- 12/3/2015
- E! Online
We are another day closer to NBC's highly-anticipated musical special, The Wiz Live,which airs Thursday, December 3, at 8PM7c. 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.
- 12/2/2015
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
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...
- 11/30/2015
- by Matt Tamanini
- BroadwayWorld.com
Andre De Shields talks The Wiz and Gotta Dance live tonight Monday, November 23 with NBC-tv's Janice Huff on News 4 New York at 700 Pm. De Shields, who created the title role in the original 1975 Broadway production of the landmark musical which won 7 Tony Awards including Best Musical, will talk about the show's 40th anniversary, the upcoming The Wiz Live which airs on NBC December 3 at 8 Pm Et and his current show Gotta Dance.
- 11/23/2015
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
After unveiling a few promo stills last week, NBC has started to ease The Wiz Live! on down to its release date, which means that we've gotten a few more glimpses of the big event. In a newly released promo, Mary J. Blige's sings and also shouts "I hate water!" which is all we ever wanted from Mary J. Blige. And, if you were distracted by all that hydrophobia, take a moment to gaze in admiration at her very glam Wicked Witch of the West outfit.If that wasn't enough, here's Queen Latifah crooning a few bars as the titular Wiz. Common, Amber Riley, Ne-Yo, Elijah Kelley, Amber Riley, Stephanie Mills, David Alan Grier, Uzo Aduba, and Shanice Williams also star in the show. Will The Wiz be good? Who knows! Will it set Twitter aflame? Definitely.
- 11/22/2015
- by Jackson McHenry
- Vulture
Something wicked this way comes – and it's Mary J. Blige!
The singer is currently in rehearsals for NBC's upcoming musical event The Wiz Live! and the first photos of her in costume as Evilene (a.k.a. the Wicked Witch of the West) were released on Friday.
Blige's costume is just the latest wickedly awesome look from the show to be revealed leading up to the December telecast.
"We're creating a fantasy land that also is inspired by some of the imagery you'd see today," Tony-nominated costume designer Paul Tazewell told People in October. "It's the edgiest of high-fashion from...
The singer is currently in rehearsals for NBC's upcoming musical event The Wiz Live! and the first photos of her in costume as Evilene (a.k.a. the Wicked Witch of the West) were released on Friday.
Blige's costume is just the latest wickedly awesome look from the show to be revealed leading up to the December telecast.
"We're creating a fantasy land that also is inspired by some of the imagery you'd see today," Tony-nominated costume designer Paul Tazewell told People in October. "It's the edgiest of high-fashion from...
- 11/20/2015
- by Patrick Gomez, @PatrickGomezLA
- People.com - TV Watch
They're off to see The Wizard!
NBC's The Wiz Live! is still a few weeks away, but People and Entertainment Weekly has an exclusive look at three of its stars in character.
There's Queen Latifah as The Wiz, Common as Bouncer, the Emerald City gatekeeper and Uzo Aduba as Glinda.
The musical, based on the 1975 Broadway production, stars newcomer Shanice Williams as Dorothy and also stars Mary J. Blige, Ne-Yo, more.
Williams, 19, has gotten advice from original The Wiz Broadway star Stephanie Mills, who appears in the NBC musical as Auntie Em.
"One of the best pieces of advice she's...
NBC's The Wiz Live! is still a few weeks away, but People and Entertainment Weekly has an exclusive look at three of its stars in character.
There's Queen Latifah as The Wiz, Common as Bouncer, the Emerald City gatekeeper and Uzo Aduba as Glinda.
The musical, based on the 1975 Broadway production, stars newcomer Shanice Williams as Dorothy and also stars Mary J. Blige, Ne-Yo, more.
Williams, 19, has gotten advice from original The Wiz Broadway star Stephanie Mills, who appears in the NBC musical as Auntie Em.
"One of the best pieces of advice she's...
- 11/16/2015
- by Aaron Couch, @AaronCouch
- People.com - TV Watch
Update 11/16/15: The marketing drive for "The Wiz Live!" is in full swing, with another video tease - this time giving us first looks at what Queen Latifah as The Wiz; Common as the Bouncer, the gatekeeper of the entrance to Emerald City; Stephanie Mills (who played Dorothy in the original Broadway production of “The Wiz”) as Auntie Em; and Uzo Aduba as Glinda, the good witch. Watch it immediately below and catch up on past updates underneath. *** Update 11/11/15: NBC has released a new digital exclusive for its upcoming "The Wiz Live!" production - this one featuring stars Shanice Williams and Stephanie Mills singing...
- 11/16/2015
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
It took one preview duet, one song, and two tremendous vocalists to do it, but now we're ready for "The Wiz Live!", NBC's newest live musical, to ease on down to primetime December 3. Check out this very special rendition of "Home" featuring new star Shanice Williams and Broadway's original Dorothy herself, Stephanie Mills. Also in the cast: David Alan Grier (the Cowardly Lion), Queen Latifah (the Wiz), Uzo Aduba (Glinda), Elijah Kelley (Scarecrow), Ne-Yo (Tin Man), and Amber Riley (Addaperle, the Good Witch of the North). And just in case you forgot about television's most legendary performance of "Home" to date, check out this relic.
- 11/13/2015
- by Louis Virtel
- Hitfix
Update 11/11/15: NBC has released a new digital exclusive for its upcoming "The Wiz Live!" production - this one featuring stars Shanice Williams and Stephanie Mills singing "Home." *** Update 11/2/15: NBC has released a new preview/teaser for the live event, which is embedded immediately below: *** Update 10/30/15: Complete casting has now been set for NBC's December 3 live broadcast of "The Wiz Live." Joining the previously-cast Shanice Williams, Stephanie Mills, Uzo Aduba, Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, David Alan Grier, David Alan Grier, Common, Ne-Yo, and Elijah Kelley are recently announced additions: Chris...
- 11/11/2015
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
In a special reunion of sorts, two generations of Dorothys will hit the stage when NBC airs The Wiz Live! in December.
Four decades after she originated the role of Dorothy in the 1975 Broadway production of the The Wiz, actress Stephanie Mills will return to the reimagined telling of The Wizard of Oz – but this time as Auntie Em.
Mills will act opposite newcomer Shanice Williams, who beat out thousands of hopefuls for the role of Dorothy in this one-time broadcast that also stars Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, Ne-Yo, Common, Uzo Aduba and more.
As the cast is currently...
Four decades after she originated the role of Dorothy in the 1975 Broadway production of the The Wiz, actress Stephanie Mills will return to the reimagined telling of The Wizard of Oz – but this time as Auntie Em.
Mills will act opposite newcomer Shanice Williams, who beat out thousands of hopefuls for the role of Dorothy in this one-time broadcast that also stars Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, Ne-Yo, Common, Uzo Aduba and more.
As the cast is currently...
- 11/11/2015
- by Dylan Kickham and Patrick Gomez
- People.com - TV Watch
Here is our first look at the key art for NBC’s latest live production of a Broadway musical. The Wiz Live! stars — from left to right below — David Alan Grier as Lion, Shanice Williams as Dorothy, Ne-Yo as Tinman and Elijah Kelly as Scarecrow. Also on the playbill are Queen Latifah as the Wiz; Mary J. Blige as Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West; Stephanie Mills, who played Dorothy in the original Broadway production, as Auntie Em; Uzo Aduba as Glinda, the Good Witch…...
- 10/13/2015
- Deadline TV
It was in May when NBC announced an open casting call for the lead role of Dorothy in the network’s upcoming holiday special “The Wiz Live!,” set to air on Thursday, Dec. 3. Revealed last month, newcomer Shanice Williams was cast as Dorothy, beating out lots of competition - potentially the break of a lifetime for the actress/singer. Williams joins David Alan Grier, who will play the Cowardly Lion; Queen Latifah stars as the Wiz; Mary J. Blige will play Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West; Stephanie Mills (who played Dorothy in the original Broadway production of “The Wiz”) will portray Auntie Em; Common will play the Bouncer, the gatekeeper of the...
- 9/30/2015
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Several original cast members from the iconic Broadway premiere production of The Wiz convened last night in honor ofthe show's 40th anniversary in a series of special performances.Phylicia Rashad, Andre De Shields, Dee Dee Bridgewater and more will joined to celebrate the musical in Central Park and Marcus Garvey Park with a series of special outdoor celebrations featuring song, story and dance titled The Wiz A Celebration In Dance amp Music. Check out photos below...
- 8/13/2015
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
NBC's upcoming musical event The Wiz Live! has added "Orange Is the New Black" star Uzo Aduba, and "Glee's" Amber Riley to its cast. The pair have signed up to play two of the Good Witches, the network announced Thursday. Aduba will play Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, while Riley will portray Addaperle, the Good Witch of the North. They join newcomer Shanice Williams, who has been cast as Dorothy; David Alan Grier, who will play the Cowardly Lion; Queen Latifah stars as the Wiz; Mary J. Blige will play Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West; and Stephanie Mills (who played Dorothy in the original Broadway production of “The...
- 8/6/2015
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Bow down, witches.
Amber Riley (Glee) and Uzo Aduba (Orange Is the New Black) will play the Wicked Witch of the West’s sisters in NBC’s upcoming live production of The Wiz, the network announced Thursday.
Riley will play Addaperle, the Good Witch of the North, and Aduba will play Glinda, the Good Witch of the South — both sisters of Evilene, the Wicked Witch of the West played by Mary J. Blige.
RelatedCoach Revival Casts Kimmy Schmidt‘s Andrew Ridings as Hayden’s Son
Addaperle, who’s not that great at magic, is the witch who points Dorothy...
Amber Riley (Glee) and Uzo Aduba (Orange Is the New Black) will play the Wicked Witch of the West’s sisters in NBC’s upcoming live production of The Wiz, the network announced Thursday.
Riley will play Addaperle, the Good Witch of the North, and Aduba will play Glinda, the Good Witch of the South — both sisters of Evilene, the Wicked Witch of the West played by Mary J. Blige.
RelatedCoach Revival Casts Kimmy Schmidt‘s Andrew Ridings as Hayden’s Son
Addaperle, who’s not that great at magic, is the witch who points Dorothy...
- 8/6/2015
- TVLine.com
NBC's live production of The Wiz continues to add to its impressive cast. Orange Is the New Black's Uzo Aduba and Glee alum Amber Riley have joined the production, NBC announced Thursday. Queen Latifah will portray the Wiz in the live production, with Mary J. Blige playing Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West. David Alan Grier has landed the role of the Cowardly Lion. Stephanie Mills, who starred as Dorothy in the original Broadway production of The Wiz, is taking on the role of Aunt Em for the NBC rendition. And newcomer Shanice Williams has landed the role of Dorothy following a nationwide casting call. Aduba — best
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- 8/6/2015
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Wiz Live! has found its leading lady!
Shanice Williams will play Dorothy in NBC's musical TV event airing in December.
"This has been my dream forever, but I never thought it would be a reality," the New Jersey native tells People after beating out hundreds of hopefuls for the big part.
"I still can't believe it. Of course I've been a big fan. I had the movie and my dad had the soundtrack and we would listen to it in the car," she says, adding, "I also saw the original with Stephanie Mills."
While Williams is still in shock...
Shanice Williams will play Dorothy in NBC's musical TV event airing in December.
"This has been my dream forever, but I never thought it would be a reality," the New Jersey native tells People after beating out hundreds of hopefuls for the big part.
"I still can't believe it. Of course I've been a big fan. I had the movie and my dad had the soundtrack and we would listen to it in the car," she says, adding, "I also saw the original with Stephanie Mills."
While Williams is still in shock...
- 8/5/2015
- by Emily Strohm, @emablonde
- People.com - TV Watch
NBC has finally found a Dorothy for its live production of The Wiz: 18-year-old New Jersey native Shanice Williams snagged the part a million girls would kill for through an open casting call. She'll be joining a host of veteran actors and singers, including Stephanie Mills (who played Dorothy in the original Broadway production) as Auntie Em, Queen Latifah as the Wiz, Mary J. Blige as the Wicked Witch of the West, and, most recently, David Alan Grier as the Cowardly Lion. The Today show broke the announcement Wednesday morning and has a video of Williams's audition and the moment when she learned she got the part. Try not to get tears into your sad desk salad.
- 8/5/2015
- by E. Alex Jung
- Vulture
Charming
Avril Lavigne, Ashley Tisdale and Chinese pop star G.E.M. have all joined the cast of 3Qu Media's animated musical comedy "Charming" which John H. Williams and Henry Skelsey will produce.
Lavigne plays Snow White, Tisdale is Cinderella and Qem is Sleeping Beauty with the trio joining Demi Lovato as the female lead Lenore. The story follows what happens after the princesses discover they are all engaged to the same prince. [Source: Deadline]
Kong: Skull Island
Corey Hawkins ("Straight Outta Compton") is in negotiations to join Tom Hiddleston and Brie Larson in the action-packed "King Kong" prequel "Kong: Skull Island" at Legendary Pictures.
Jordan Vogt-Roberts helms the film which will be set in the mysterious, dangerous home of the king of the apes as a team of explorers ventures deep inside the island. Max Borenstein, John Gatins and Dan Gilroy penned the script. [Source: Variety]
The Wiz
New Jersey native Shanice Williams...
Avril Lavigne, Ashley Tisdale and Chinese pop star G.E.M. have all joined the cast of 3Qu Media's animated musical comedy "Charming" which John H. Williams and Henry Skelsey will produce.
Lavigne plays Snow White, Tisdale is Cinderella and Qem is Sleeping Beauty with the trio joining Demi Lovato as the female lead Lenore. The story follows what happens after the princesses discover they are all engaged to the same prince. [Source: Deadline]
Kong: Skull Island
Corey Hawkins ("Straight Outta Compton") is in negotiations to join Tom Hiddleston and Brie Larson in the action-packed "King Kong" prequel "Kong: Skull Island" at Legendary Pictures.
Jordan Vogt-Roberts helms the film which will be set in the mysterious, dangerous home of the king of the apes as a team of explorers ventures deep inside the island. Max Borenstein, John Gatins and Dan Gilroy penned the script. [Source: Variety]
The Wiz
New Jersey native Shanice Williams...
- 8/5/2015
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
There’s no place like home, but 18-year-old actress Shanice Williams probably won’t mind being whisked away from New Jersey to star as Dorothy in NBC’s “The Wiz Live!” Williams, who was selected out of hundreds of applicants nationwide, will join Cowardly Lion David Alan Grier, Wicked Witch of the West Mary J. Blige, and Queen Latifah, who plays the titular wizard. Stephanie Mills — who was Dorothy in the original Broadway production of the African-American adaptation — is taking on the role of Auntie Em for the broadcast TV version. Also Read: Joel McHale Says 'Community' Is...
- 8/5/2015
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
At long last, NBC’s live production of The Wiz has found its Dorothy.
Newcomer Shanice Williams, 18, has been tapped to play the iconic leading lady, the Peacock network announced Wednesday during the Today show.
RelatedExclusive: Coach Revival Casts Kimmy Schdmit‘s Andrew Ridings as Hayden’s Son
This announcement comes less than 24 hours after NBC revealed that veteran comedian David Alan Grier will be donning the Cowardly Lion’s mane for the upcoming affair. Additionally, Queen Latifah will play the Wizard, while Mary J. Blige will play the Wicked Witch of the West.
Stephanie Mills, who played Dorothy in...
Newcomer Shanice Williams, 18, has been tapped to play the iconic leading lady, the Peacock network announced Wednesday during the Today show.
RelatedExclusive: Coach Revival Casts Kimmy Schdmit‘s Andrew Ridings as Hayden’s Son
This announcement comes less than 24 hours after NBC revealed that veteran comedian David Alan Grier will be donning the Cowardly Lion’s mane for the upcoming affair. Additionally, Queen Latifah will play the Wizard, while Mary J. Blige will play the Wicked Witch of the West.
Stephanie Mills, who played Dorothy in...
- 8/5/2015
- TVLine.com
The Wiz Live has found its courage-challenged feline. David Alan Grier, a three-time Tony nominee who co-stars on NBC’s upcoming comedy series The Carmichael Show, has been tapped to play the Cowardly Lion in the network’s December 3 live production of the 1975 Broadway musical based on The Wizard Of Oz. Grier joins a cast that includes Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige and Stephanie Mills. Grier’s Broadway credits include Tony noms for The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, The First…...
- 8/5/2015
- Deadline TV
NBC has cast David Alan Grier to play the Cowardly Lion in its live production of “The Wiz,” the network announced Tuesday. Grier will play the fraidy cat who asks Dorothy if he can join her on her journey down the yellow brick road to Oz. The “In Living Color” comedian joins the previously announced Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige and Stephanie Mills, known for originating the role of Dorothy on Broadway’s “The Wiz.” Also Read: 23 Best & Worst Oscars Moments of 2015 (Photos) Latifah will star as the Wiz, the mysterious and powerful wizard who holds the keys to the Emerald City,...
- 8/4/2015
- by Linda Ge
- The Wrap
David Alan Grier is joining NBC’s upcoming holiday production of “The Wiz Live!,” set for Thursday, December. 3. Grier will play the Cowardly Lion who asks Dorothy if he can join her in her journey down the Yellow Brick Road, and asks the Wiz for some courage, which he is severely lacking. He joins the previously-cast Queen Latifah, Stephanie Mills and Mary J. Blige to the telecast. Queen Latifah stars as the Wiz, and Mary J. Blige will play Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West. Stephanie Mills (who played Dorothy in the original Broadway production of “The Wiz”) will portray Auntie Em in NBC's December production. “The Wiz Live!” is adapted from “The Wonderful...
- 8/4/2015
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
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 Bcefa 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.'...
- 7/31/2015
- by BroadwayWorld TV
- BroadwayWorld.com
A Queen shall lord over Emerald City, in NBC’s The Wiz Live!
RelatedNBC Picks The Wiz over Music Man as Next Live Musical, Sets December Airdate and Cirque du Soleil Twist
Queen Latifah, a Grammy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award winner (and two-time Emmy nominee), will portray the titular Wiz in the network’s next live production, which will air Thursday, Dec. 3.
Latifah’s casting marks a reunion for her and executive producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, for whom she worked in the movie musicals Chicago and Hairspray and the TV-movie Steel Magnolias.
RelatedEmerald City...
RelatedNBC Picks The Wiz over Music Man as Next Live Musical, Sets December Airdate and Cirque du Soleil Twist
Queen Latifah, a Grammy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award winner (and two-time Emmy nominee), will portray the titular Wiz in the network’s next live production, which will air Thursday, Dec. 3.
Latifah’s casting marks a reunion for her and executive producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, for whom she worked in the movie musicals Chicago and Hairspray and the TV-movie Steel Magnolias.
RelatedEmerald City...
- 7/28/2015
- TVLine.com
Calling all Dorothy hopefuls! Here's your chance to star in NBC's next musical adaptation, The Wiz Live!
The network announced last month that it would be holding an open casting call for the lead role in the much-anticipated adaptation of the 1975 Broadway hit, and auditions begin this Saturday at Telsey + Co in Midtown Manhattan at 10 a.m., with sign-in starting at 9 a.m.
Since the May 11 announcement that Stephanie Mills, who played Dorothy in the original Broadway cast, has been cast as Auntie Em in NBC's version, theater buffs have wondered why producers are looking for a complete unknown to take on the main role.
The network announced last month that it would be holding an open casting call for the lead role in the much-anticipated adaptation of the 1975 Broadway hit, and auditions begin this Saturday at Telsey + Co in Midtown Manhattan at 10 a.m., with sign-in starting at 9 a.m.
Since the May 11 announcement that Stephanie Mills, who played Dorothy in the original Broadway cast, has been cast as Auntie Em in NBC's version, theater buffs have wondered why producers are looking for a complete unknown to take on the main role.
- 6/5/2015
- by Andrea Park and Mike Miller
- People.com - TV Watch
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 amp Music onWednesday, August 12at Rumsey Playfield, located on East 72ndStreet, off Fifth Avenue in Central Park.The event is free, doors open at700 p.m.and show time is 800 p.m. - 1000 p.m.OnThursday, August 13, andFriday, August 14, the production will be held at Marcus Garvey Park at 120thStreet and Fifth Avenue in Harlem, show time is700 p.m. - 900 p.m.The Wiz A Celebration in Dance amp Music will be produced, directed and choreographed by George Faison and Timothy Graphenreed is the musical supervisor and dance arranger for the production.
- 5/26/2015
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
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...
- 5/13/2015
- by Pat Cerasaro
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Live Revolution Lives NBC's obsession with live programming was confirmed today, with the announcement that their upcoming Broadway spectacular, "The Wiz," will feature original production cast member Stephanie Mills. (But for those crossing their fingers that Beyonce might slip on the ruby slippers, bad news: NBC says they're seeking out "new talent" for Dorothy.) Also interesting is the fact that rare NBC comedy survivor "Undateable" will be going live for all of its episodes next season, following on last week's experiment with an hour-long live broadcast. While last week's episode devolved into a rather stunt-driven enterprise, it's still an interesting move that might verge on ground-breaking. Creator Bill Lawrence has been vocal on Twitter about wanting the show to be "crazy/fun," and that's at least worth checking in on from time to time. Read More: 'Scrubs' Creator Bill Lawrence On 'Undateable,' the...
- 5/11/2015
- by Liz Shannon Miller
- Indiewire
I scream, you scream, we all scream for… MTV’s Scream.
The cabler has released a new promo for its upcoming horror series, in which the stars of Awkward, Faking It, Teen Wolf, Finding Carter, Ridiculousness and The Challenge attend a killer summer party. (See what we did there?)
VideosScream Trailer: Watch Bella Thorne and More Victims in Action
Also making an appearance in the teaser, of course, are Scream cast members Willa Fitzgerald, Bex Taylor-Klaus, Carlson Young, Amadeus Serafini, John Karna and Connor Weil.
Scream debuts Tuesday, June 30, at 10/9c. Watch the (rather bloody) promo below:
Ready for...
The cabler has released a new promo for its upcoming horror series, in which the stars of Awkward, Faking It, Teen Wolf, Finding Carter, Ridiculousness and The Challenge attend a killer summer party. (See what we did there?)
VideosScream Trailer: Watch Bella Thorne and More Victims in Action
Also making an appearance in the teaser, of course, are Scream cast members Willa Fitzgerald, Bex Taylor-Klaus, Carlson Young, Amadeus Serafini, John Karna and Connor Weil.
Scream debuts Tuesday, June 30, at 10/9c. Watch the (rather bloody) promo below:
Ready for...
- 5/11/2015
- TVLine.com
The Wiz's original Dorothy is returning "Home" once more.
Stephanie Mills, who eased on down the road in the musical's 1975 original Broadway cast, is officially returning to the show. Mills will play Auntie Em in NBC's live adaptation of the hit musical, the network announced at their Upfronts presentation on Monday.
NBC said they are still on the hunt for "new talent" to play the iconic character of Dorothy in the show, which is a New York City-set Wizard of Oz with a divers cast. The Wiz Live! follows NBC's live adaptations of The Sound of Music, starring...
Stephanie Mills, who eased on down the road in the musical's 1975 original Broadway cast, is officially returning to the show. Mills will play Auntie Em in NBC's live adaptation of the hit musical, the network announced at their Upfronts presentation on Monday.
NBC said they are still on the hunt for "new talent" to play the iconic character of Dorothy in the show, which is a New York City-set Wizard of Oz with a divers cast. The Wiz Live! follows NBC's live adaptations of The Sound of Music, starring...
- 5/11/2015
- by Andrea Park, @scandreapark
- People.com - TV Watch
Stephanie Mills, the original broadway star of “The Wiz,” is on board to play a part in NBC’s live musical update of the African-American spin on the “The Wizard of Oz.” NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt announced on Monday during the network’s upfront presentation that Mills would play Aunt Em in the production set to air on Dec. 3. Mills is the first cast member to be announced for the network’s follow-up to “The Sound of Music” and “Peter Pan.” Producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are returning to produce “The Wiz,” which will also yield a Broadway revival in 2016. Also Read: Twitter.
- 5/11/2015
- by Greg Gilman
- The Wrap
Stephanie Mills, who played Dorothy in the original Broadway production of The Wiz, has become the first actor cast in NBC’s upcoming The Wiz Live! special, slated for the coming holiday season. She will play Auntie Em. NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt made the announcement at NBC’s upfront presentation. He said that the network is launching a talent search for a young girl to play Dorothy. Executive produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (The Sound of Music Live!, Peter Pan Li…...
- 5/11/2015
- Deadline TV
La Jolla Playhouse announces five shows for its 20152016 season, featuring all new works, including the world-premiere musical Come from Away, featuring book, music and lyrics by acclaimed Canadian husband-and-wife team Irene Sankoff and David Hein, directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley the world premiere of Indecent, co-created by director Rebecca Taichman Playhouse's Sleeping Beauty Wakes, Milk Like Sugar, and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel How I Learned to Drive, co-produced with Yale Repertory Theatre and Blueprints to Freedom An Ode to Bayard Rustin, by Michael Benjamin Washington Memphis, The Wiz, directed by The Cosby Show's Phylicia Rashad, which had its first workshop during the Playhouse's 2014 DNA New Work Series.
- 11/7/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Broadway community mourns the loss of Geoffrey Holder, the 1975 Tony Award -winning director and costume designer of The Wiz who died on Sunday at the age of 84. The marquees of Broadway theatres in New York will be dimmed in his memory Friday, October 10th, at exactly 745pm for one minute. BroadwayWorld.com's Walter McBride has culled through his photo archives to present some images of the legend.
- 10/9/2014
- by Walter McBride
- BroadwayWorld.com
Just weeks after losing Richard Kiel, another legendary Bond villain actor has passed away - 84-year-old Geoffrey Holder died due to complications from pneumonia on Sunday.
A dancer, choreographer, actor and Tony winner, Holder is mostly known for his iconic deep voice and distinct laugh along with his tall stature. The Trinidad-born entertainer memorably played Baron Samedi in Roger Moore's first James Bond outing "Live and Let Die".
Other screen roles include the overt innuendo-producing advertisement director Nelson in the Eddie Murphy comedy "Boomerang," the bodyguard Punjab in 1982's "Annie" film adaptation, William Shakespeare X in "Doctor Dolittle," a sailor in "Krakatoa: East of Java," Sorcerer in Woody Allen's "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex * But Were Afraid to Ask" and the narrator of Tim Burton's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". He also pitched 7Up in commercials during the 1970s and 1980s.
On the stage he participated in numerous musicals,...
A dancer, choreographer, actor and Tony winner, Holder is mostly known for his iconic deep voice and distinct laugh along with his tall stature. The Trinidad-born entertainer memorably played Baron Samedi in Roger Moore's first James Bond outing "Live and Let Die".
Other screen roles include the overt innuendo-producing advertisement director Nelson in the Eddie Murphy comedy "Boomerang," the bodyguard Punjab in 1982's "Annie" film adaptation, William Shakespeare X in "Doctor Dolittle," a sailor in "Krakatoa: East of Java," Sorcerer in Woody Allen's "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex * But Were Afraid to Ask" and the narrator of Tim Burton's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". He also pitched 7Up in commercials during the 1970s and 1980s.
On the stage he participated in numerous musicals,...
- 10/7/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
"Maaaahvaleous!!" Known for directing and designing costumes for The Wiz, a all-black musical retelling of the classic The Wizard of Oz, Geoffrey Holder has just passed at the age of 84. He was also known for starring in such films as James Bond's Live and Let Die, narrating Tim Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and bringing funner commercials for all as a pitchman for the famous 7-Up soft drink. According to his family's attorney Charles M. Mirotznik, the cause of death began with pneumonia, leading to more complications and ultimately, death. Remember his wife Carmen De Lavallade and their son, Léo in this hard time. Geoffrey Lamont Holder was a Trinidadian actor, choreographer, director, dancer, painter, costume designer, singer and voice-over artist.
- 10/7/2014
- ComicBookMovie.com
Geoffrey Holder, the actor, dancer, choreographer, designer and painter, has died at the age of 84.
Holder, who was most widely known for playing villain Baron Samedi in the Bond film Live and let Die, passed away on Sunday (October 5) in Manhattan. His spokesman, Charles M Mirotznik, confirmed the cause as complications relating to pneumonia.
During his varied career, he directed a dance troupe, performed on Broadway and at the Metropolitan Opera, and won Tony Awards for musical direction and costume design for The Wiz.
He was also an accomplished painter, sculptor and photographer, with his work having been shown in galleries such as Washington's Corcoran Gallery. He received a Guggenheim fellowship in painting in 1957.
Holder was born in 1930 in Trinidad and Tobago, moving to New York City in 1954 when he took over his brother's dance company as director and lead performer.
He made his Broadway debut later that year as...
Holder, who was most widely known for playing villain Baron Samedi in the Bond film Live and let Die, passed away on Sunday (October 5) in Manhattan. His spokesman, Charles M Mirotznik, confirmed the cause as complications relating to pneumonia.
During his varied career, he directed a dance troupe, performed on Broadway and at the Metropolitan Opera, and won Tony Awards for musical direction and costume design for The Wiz.
He was also an accomplished painter, sculptor and photographer, with his work having been shown in galleries such as Washington's Corcoran Gallery. He received a Guggenheim fellowship in painting in 1957.
Holder was born in 1930 in Trinidad and Tobago, moving to New York City in 1954 when he took over his brother's dance company as director and lead performer.
He made his Broadway debut later that year as...
- 10/6/2014
- Digital Spy
Geoffrey Holder, the only theater man who at 6 feet, 6 inches could look Tommy Tune right in the eye and say “Abosolutely maaaaah-velous,” died Sunday in New York City. He was 84. Charles M. Mirotznik, a spokesman for the family, told the New York Times the cause was complications of pneumonia.
As well known for the honey-smooth bass-baritone that resonated through countless voice-overs as for the white linen suit and Panama hat that set off his gleaming Caribbean features — saucer eyes, broad-as-the-George-Washington-Bridge smile and shaved head — Holder became an advertising icon in the 1970s and ’80s as the pitchman for 7Up, declaring it “the Un-Cola — you know, Sev’mup – wet, wild, all that…” :
But Holder, born in Trinidad, was much more than a seductive accoutrement to Madison Avenue. He left an enduring stamp on virtually every field in the performing arts, as musician, choreographer, actor, director and designer, winning two Tony...
As well known for the honey-smooth bass-baritone that resonated through countless voice-overs as for the white linen suit and Panama hat that set off his gleaming Caribbean features — saucer eyes, broad-as-the-George-Washington-Bridge smile and shaved head — Holder became an advertising icon in the 1970s and ’80s as the pitchman for 7Up, declaring it “the Un-Cola — you know, Sev’mup – wet, wild, all that…” :
But Holder, born in Trinidad, was much more than a seductive accoutrement to Madison Avenue. He left an enduring stamp on virtually every field in the performing arts, as musician, choreographer, actor, director and designer, winning two Tony...
- 10/6/2014
- by Jeremy Gerard
- Deadline
Geoffrey Holder, who claimed the Tony award for best director for The Wiz and inhabited numerous recognizable roles across film, TV and Broadway, died on Sunday at the age of 84, the The New York Times reported. Holder passed due to "complications of pneumonia," a family spokesperson told the paper. A true multi-hyphenate, Holder worked as an actor, dancer, choreographer, director, designer and painter in an entertainment-industry career that spanned more than a half-century. He portrayed characters ranging from Oliver Warbucks' employee Punjab in the 1982 screen version of Annie to a James Bond villain in
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- 10/6/2014
- by THR Staff
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The upcoming Broadway reimagining of Side Show, featuring leading ladies Erin Davie and Emily Padgett, opens on Broadway this fall, with a revised book and lyrics are by Bill Russell, with music by Henry Krieger, and additional book material by Bill Condon. Musical direction and arrangements are by Sam Davis Dreamgirls at the Apollo, orchestrations are by six time Tony Award nominee Harold Wheeler, Hairspray, Dreamgirls, The Wiz and choreography is by Tony and Olivier Award nominee Anthony Van Laast Mamma Mia. Since its inception, Jack Tantleff has serviced as Creative Supervisor.Below, check out photos of the marquee at the St. James Theatre...
- 10/6/2014
- by Walter McBride
- BroadwayWorld.com
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