NBC has cast David Alan Grier to play the Cowardly Lion in its live production of “The Wiz”, the network announced Tuesday. Different collection by which Grier has appeared embrace “Martin”, “Life With Bonnie”, “Crank Yankers”, “Glad Endings” and “Regulation & Order: SVU”. His film credits include A Soldier’s Story, Jumanji, and The Woodsman. Unlike NBC’s live musicals of the past, which have starred Carrie Underwood and Allison Williams, respectively, Shanice is new to professional show business, having never acted in a professional capacity.
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The original Broadway production featured Stephanie Mills as Dorothy, Dee Dee Bridgewater as good witch Glinda and Andre De Shields as the Wiz. Queen Latifah will play the titular wizard, who found herself in Oz only by accident after she got caught in a snowstorm during a hot air balloon ride. Latifah is set to star as the eponymous wizard while Blige will star as Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West.
NBC conducted a nationwide, open casting call for the part, searching for an African-American woman between 18 and 27 years old with an extraordinary voice who’s both mature and has a youthful energy.
Mills will play Auntie Em. Kenny Leon (“A Raisin in the Sun”) will direct, with Harvey Fierstein (“Torch Song Trilogy”, “Hairspray” and “La Cage aux Folles”) providing new written material.
The Tony Award nominee and “In Living Color” veteran will be joining NBC’s holiday production of “The Wiz Live!“, set for December 3.
Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (“The Sound of Music Live!“, “Peter Pan Live!“, Oscar-winning “Chicago“) will executive produce.
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The live television broadcast of The Wiz serves as the precursor to a Broadway revival, coproduced by Cirque du Soleil’s new stage theatrical division, in the 2016-2017 Broadway season.
