'The Wiz' — Not 'Music Man' — Might Be NBC's Next Live Musical

[mvcg66b3r]

The Music Man might be about to ease on down the road — and right off NBC’s 2015 roster.

The Peacock net is now considering mounting a production of The Wiz — the funky, ’70s-era adaptation of The Wizard of Oz — as its next live musical event.

http://tvline.com/2015/01/16/the-wiz-replacing-the-music-man-nbc-2015-live-musical/

 

[mvcg66b3r]

It's official -- and, it's heading to Broadway.

NBC Picks The Wiz over Music Man as Next Live Musical, Sets December Airdate and Cirque du Soleil Twist

NBC’s next live musical event will come with a literal twist (or, more likely, dozens of ‘em).

The network announced on Monday that executive producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron — the men behind NBC’s live versions of The Sound of Music and Peter Pan — will mount a live production of The Wiz in partnership with Cirque du Soleil on Dec. 3. Cirque’s new stage theatrical division will then present The Wiz as a major Broadway revival for the 2016-17 season.

http://tvline.com/2015/03/30/the-wiz-nbc-2015-live-musical-airdate-cirque-du-soleil/

 

[umfan]

I'm betting that Allison Williams will NOT have a starring role in this one.

 

[Fakeem]

The decision to do "The Wiz" was made last year. What was announced on Monday was the Cirque twist, which, I believe, was made to bring in white viewers that might not watch a black version of The Wizard Of Oz.

What I am more curious about is who will be cast. I remember the uproar over Diana Ross playing Dorothy in the movie version, so I am hoping among hope that the Beyonce' rumors are false. The fact that R&B has been killed off by hip-hop means there are very few singers with name value that could be used as the lead.

Anybody have ideas on who should be cast and in which roles? Discuss.......

 

[vchimpanzee]

I have yet to see the Diana Ross version.

On the subject of black and white viewers, I remember Brandy was Cinderella on a network broadcast where Whitney Houston was The Fairy Godmother.