above pic from: http://www-movieline-com.vimg.net/images/the-wiz.jpg
The Wiz on Broadway
The Wiz: Trivia Question...
What holiday are they celebrating at the beginning of "The Wiz"?
The Wiz: Did You Know?*The color of the slippers that Dorothy (Diana Ross) receives from Miss One, the Good Witch of the North is silver.
*In "The Wiz" Dorothy (Diana Ross), Scarecrow (Michael Jackson), Tin Man (Nipsey Russell) finds the Cowardly Lion (Ted Ross) at the New York Public Library. |
Broadway Musical
NBC is partnering with Cirque de Soleil to bring The Wiz to network television December 3, 2015.
News.....*The Wiz coming to NBC and Broadway. More information below http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/03/30/the-wiz-will-be-nbcs-next-live-musical-and-then-return-to-broadway/?_r=0
*The Cast of the Wiz named more information below... http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2015/08/13/whos-taking-wiz/31641367// |
The Cast....
Elijah Kelley (Scarecrow) pic: photos.essence.com Elijah Kelley Bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elijah_Kelley Uzo Aduba (Glinda), the Good Witch pic: www.imdb.com Uzo Aduba Bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uzo_Aduba Amber Riley (Addapearle), another Good Witch pic: thecorereader.com Amber Riley's Bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amber_Riley Stephanie Mills (Auntie Em) pic: broadwayblack.com Stephanie Mills Bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephanie_Mills |
Shanice Williams (Dorothy Gale)
pic: usmagazine.com More Info. on Shanice Williams: http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/the-wiz-lives-dorothy-to-be-played-by-newcomer-shanice-williams-201558 Mary J. Blige (Evillene), the Wicked Witch of the West. pic: www.aceshowbiz.com Mary J. Blige Bio: http://www.biography.com/people/mary-j-blige-507644 |
Celebrating "The Wiz"
News Update: NBC is partnering with Cirque de Soleil to bring The Wiz to network television December 3, 2015. NBC announce Monday March 30, 2015 that the network along with Cirque de Soleil will air a live production of the 1978 hit starring Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Nipsey Russell, Ted Ross, Lena Horne and Richard Pryor. The Wiz will then go on Broadway for 2016-17 season.
Before Michael Jackson started working with his brothers on their "Destiny" album, which was released in December of 1978; he flew to New York City to play the role of the Scarecrow in the Broadway hit musicial "The Wiz". The Wiz was a retelling of the famous children's novel "The Wizard of OZ".
Acting along side of Michael Jackson was Diana Ross as Dorothy, Nipsey Russell as the Tin Man, Ted Ross as the Cowardly Lion, Lena Horne as Glinda the Good Witch, and Richard Pryor as "The Wiz". The Wiz is based on Dorothy (Diana Ross), a shy Harlem, New York kindergarten teacher who finds herself magically transported during a blizzard to the Land of Oz; while searching for her dog Toto. Oz becomes a fantasy version of New York City in the late 1970s.
Along the way she makes friends with the Scarecrow (Michael Jackson) the Tin Man (Nipsey Russell) and the Cowardly Lion (Ted Ross). Dorothy (Diana Ross) longs to return home with her dog Toto, Scarecrow (Michael Jackson) wants a brain, the Tin Man (Nipsey Russell) wants a heart and the Cowardly Lion (Ted Ross) wants courage; they decided to go together and see "The Wiz" (Richard Pryor) to receive what each one wants, not realizing that all they ever needed was right inside of them. The audiance follows Dorothy (Diana Ross), Scarecrow (Michael Jackson), the Tin Man (Nipsey Russell) Cowardly Lion (Ted Ross) on their way to see "The Wiz" dancing down the yellow brick road and all the adventures they face while getting there.
"The Wiz" was produced by Rob Cohen, written by Joel Schumacher, studio production by Motwon Productions, CEO Berry Gordy, directed by Sidney Lumet, music provided by Charlie Smalls, Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson, Anthony Jackson, Luther Vandross and Quincy Jones, distributed by Universal Pictures.
The Wiz was released in 1978. The Wiz was nominated for 4 Oscars and has become a classic in family homes. Quincy Jones became impressed with Michael Jackson performance in "The Wiz" and agreed to produced Michael Jackson's album at that time, "Off the Wall", which has also become a classic hit as well.
pic from: The cover art copyright is believed to belong to the label, Universal/Motown, or the graphic artist.
Before Michael Jackson started working with his brothers on their "Destiny" album, which was released in December of 1978; he flew to New York City to play the role of the Scarecrow in the Broadway hit musicial "The Wiz". The Wiz was a retelling of the famous children's novel "The Wizard of OZ".
Acting along side of Michael Jackson was Diana Ross as Dorothy, Nipsey Russell as the Tin Man, Ted Ross as the Cowardly Lion, Lena Horne as Glinda the Good Witch, and Richard Pryor as "The Wiz". The Wiz is based on Dorothy (Diana Ross), a shy Harlem, New York kindergarten teacher who finds herself magically transported during a blizzard to the Land of Oz; while searching for her dog Toto. Oz becomes a fantasy version of New York City in the late 1970s.
Along the way she makes friends with the Scarecrow (Michael Jackson) the Tin Man (Nipsey Russell) and the Cowardly Lion (Ted Ross). Dorothy (Diana Ross) longs to return home with her dog Toto, Scarecrow (Michael Jackson) wants a brain, the Tin Man (Nipsey Russell) wants a heart and the Cowardly Lion (Ted Ross) wants courage; they decided to go together and see "The Wiz" (Richard Pryor) to receive what each one wants, not realizing that all they ever needed was right inside of them. The audiance follows Dorothy (Diana Ross), Scarecrow (Michael Jackson), the Tin Man (Nipsey Russell) Cowardly Lion (Ted Ross) on their way to see "The Wiz" dancing down the yellow brick road and all the adventures they face while getting there.
"The Wiz" was produced by Rob Cohen, written by Joel Schumacher, studio production by Motwon Productions, CEO Berry Gordy, directed by Sidney Lumet, music provided by Charlie Smalls, Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson, Anthony Jackson, Luther Vandross and Quincy Jones, distributed by Universal Pictures.
The Wiz was released in 1978. The Wiz was nominated for 4 Oscars and has become a classic in family homes. Quincy Jones became impressed with Michael Jackson performance in "The Wiz" and agreed to produced Michael Jackson's album at that time, "Off the Wall", which has also become a classic hit as well.
pic from: The cover art copyright is believed to belong to the label, Universal/Motown, or the graphic artist.
Source Information from: Michael Jackson: A Tribute to the King of Pop 1958-2009, Platinum Edition Collector's Vault, Background "The Wiz" DVD, and www.barnesandnoble.com.