In keeping with its musical holiday tradition, NBC’s The Wiz Live! marks the network’s third live-event special following The Sound of Music and Peter Pan – both of which were executive produced by former Oscar helmers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron.
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They’re ready to ease on down the road!
David Alan Grier (left) plays the Lion with Shanice Williams as Dorothy, Ne-Yo as Tinman and Elijah Kelly as Scarecrow in “The Wiz Live!”.
The Scarecrow (Elijah Kelley) is perhaps the most striking, his straw spilling out of a slim-cut, boldly accented suit.
The Wiz Live! is a revival of the ’70s musical (that eventually became a movie with an all-star cast) that tells the story of The Wizard of Oz, but with an “African/American/multicultural twist”, as NBC put it in the release announcing the production. 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. Does it work as-is or does it need a few Munchkins or witches or winged monkeys or lions and tigers and bears?
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Elijah Kelley will play the Scarecrow in the December 3 live broadcast of the Tony Award-winning musical that will be directed by Kenny Leon and feature choreography by Fatima Robinson.
