The Wiz — an African-American retelling of The Wizard of Oz — opened on Broadway in 1975, and it won seven Tony awards. In 1978, it was adapted for film starring Michael Jackson and Diana Ross. Now, NBC is looking to reprise the musical for a live TV event, and the production has just found its Dorothy.
Shanice Williams was one of the many young ladies auditioning for the role of Dorothy, as NBC rolled out a nationwide casting call for the part. The 18-year old from New Jersey has never appeared on TV before, but she has five years of musical training under her belt. Queen Latifah, David Alan Grier and Mary J. Blige have already been announced as part of the cast. The Wiz is set to air on December 3rd.
(Via Hollywood Reporter)
