Posted by | Ray Cornelius
It’s OFFICIAL! NBC announced today that it’s next live television musical production is “The Wiz.” In January, we reported that the network was looking at the show as well as “Grease” as potential live musical broadcasts. Well, now it appears as if NBC has made a decision and will air the production on December 3.
According to VARIETY, the show is being co-produced by Cirque du Soleil’s new stage theatrical division. Following the television event, the musical will make it’s Broadway revival for the 2016-17 season and will be presented by Cirque du Soleil. Kenny Leon is serving as director for both the television and Broadway show and Harvey Fierstein is on board to modernize William F. Brown’s Broadway book. The show will feature the original music of Charles Smalls.
“The Wiz” is a Tony Award-winning retelling of L. Frank Baum’s classic, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” and featured an African-American cast including a young, Stephanie Mills. The show debut in 1975 and had a successful run on Broadway through the end of the decade. It was also turned into a film in 1978 starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and Lena Horne.
As mentioned before, this is my absolute favorite movie and story of all time, so I am hoping they will handle this with care. My biggest concern about the production is casting. I have a list of actors and singers in my head but would love to hear your suggestions!!
STAY TUNED…
Photo Credit: Film.com