The Wiz is back! A live, Broadway version of Director Sidney Lumet’s 1978 adaptation of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ will be coming to NBC on December 3rd of this year. It will be the third live musical event on the network, following The Sound Of Music and Peter Pan. Not only is ‘The Wiz’ coming, it will also feature two of the biggest female Hip-Hop and R&B stars of the last 30 years.
Mary J. Blige and Queen Latifah just joined the cast and crew of The Wiz Live. Mary J. will be playing the role of Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West. Queen Latifah will be talking the role of the Wiz. We all know how great Queen Latifah will be. She was outstanding in ‘Chicago‘ and ‘Hairspray‘. Blige is new to the live musical stage, but the director has no worries.
“I can’t wait to watch Mary bring the badness that is Evillene,” Kenny Leon said. “Her talent range is off the charts, and I know audiences won’t be able to take their eyes off her.” Can’t wait to see the energy they both bring to the show.
The live television event will precede the Broadway music that is coming in 2016-2017. Both events are based off of the film starring Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, and Richard Pryor. The film would go on to be nominated for four Academy Awards, and Michael Jackson would win best actor at the 1979 NAACP Image Awards. It’s no accident they’re reviving this classic. We couldn’t be happier about it, and can’t wait to see what Mary J. and Queen Latifah bring to the story. The light is on you again ladies!
Will you be watching with your friends? Make sure they know by SHARING this on FACEBOOK!
