The star-studded cast of NBC’s production of “The Wiz: Live!” is getting even more star-studded with three more additions: Ne-Yo, Common and Elijah Kelley.
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The Wiz Live! will air on December 3. His latest album, Non-Fiction, was released earlier this year.
An accomplished musical artist, Common is a two-time Grammy Award victor for the singles “Love of My Life” (with Erykah Badu) and “Southside” (featuring Kayne West), respectively. His film credits include Now Your See Me, Every Single Thing, Selma and the upcoming Suicide Squad.
►David Alan Grier will play the Cowardly Lion.
As E! News recently reported, the network was courting Beyoncé for the role of Glinda, with sources telling us it was between her and Aduba for the coveted role.
The trio joins just lately forged Shanice Williams who landed the position of Dorothy following a nationwide audition.
►Stephanie Mills is Auntie Em.
William F. Brown wrote the book for the soulful contemporary retelling of L. Frank Baum‘s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz“.
Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (“The Sound of Music Live!”, “Peter Pan Live!“, Oscar-winning “Chicago”) will executive produce. The original 1974 production, directed by Geoffrey Holder and choreographed by George Faison, won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical. Kenny Leon (Broadway’s A Raisin In The Sun, Holler If Ya Hear Me) is stage director and Matthew Diamond is TV director, with Harvey Fierstein providing new written material.
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Choreographer Fatima Robinson (“Dreamgirls”, “Ali”) is also on board, along with music producer Harvey Mason Jr.
