Posted by | Ray Cornelius
BroadwayWorld.com is reporting that NBC’s next live musical broadcast is a toss-up between “The Music Man” and “The Wiz.” Reportedly, the network has optioned rights for both musicals and will air one later on this year and the other in 2016. Both shows will be produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron along with Bob Greenblatt and NBC.
The network has achieved high ratings for their live musical specials including “The Sound of Music” featuring Carrie Underwood and most recently, “Peter Pan.” I am personally hoping that NBC will produce “The Wiz” this year seeing as though the musical celebrates its 40th anniversary.
“The Wiz” is an all-black version of “The Wizard of Oz” that debuted on Broadway January 5, 1975 and featured power-house vocalist Stephanie Mills as Dorothy. The Tony Award winning musical was later turned into an elaborate film that was produced by Motown in 1978 and featured an all-star cast including Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, Lena Horne and Richard Pryor.
I can only imagine the number of super stars who will be vying for a part in this production. Can’t wait to get more details!!
Check out a few videos from the 1984 Broadway revival of “The Wiz” featuring Mills as Dorothy.
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Photo Credit: NYTimes.com
