Broadway Star Joined: 7/29/12
Broadway Star Joined: 7/29/12
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
Broadway Star Joined: 7/29/12
Nothing about their casting in the last two years says they're going to get huge names. Carrie Underwood is a superstar but she also already had a relationship with NBC. I can't see them getting someone like Bruno Mars.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/12
If James Monroe Iglehart could get away from Aladdin for a bit, I'd love to see him as the Lion! I also think Billy Porter would be a great Lion as well! I could dream cast this all day, but I don't want to get my hopes too high! I'm just so excited that this may possibly be happening!
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
"Aretha might bring in some viewers, else Lillias White for Eveline"
I doubt they would choose Lillias White for Evillene as she's not well known enough. They'll choose a diva because the role is specatuclar enough to get one, but the actress doesn't have to give her life to the role. So if not Aretha, they'll probably look at Patti LaBelle.
Broadway Star Joined: 7/29/12
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
You never know........THE WIZ holds a very special place in the hearts of many African American performers. At least, it does in mine! I wouldn't be too shocked if they did get a big A-list star for one of the roles, even if it was a smaller cameo like Minnie Driver in Peter Pan this year. Maybe my excitement is clouding my thinking, but I really do think they could pull off something great with THE WIZ and get a few big names to do it.
@ little_sally: Taraji P. Henson does sing.
My vote also goes to THE WIZ. THE MUSIC MAN is overdone and there are already 2 filmed versions of it. THE WIZ would be great because it would expose a whole new generation to the original version of the show as opposed to the heavily revised 1978 film.
Keep in mind that in the original stage version Dorothy was a young girl and not a 24 year old kindergarten teacher from Harlem. So whoever is cast has to come off as age appropriate.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/25/14
Broadway Star Joined: 7/29/12
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/25/14
That's a cool thing about well known plays/musicals they don't need to go have stars everywhere. The Wiz is so well known and loved, people will tune in anyway. I hope that Dorothy leaves the "real world" the sets are extravagant, and the colors pop. I was disappointed with the lack of popping colors in Peter Pan this year...it all seemed pretty muted.
Updated On: 1/16/15 at 01:30 PM
Broadway Star Joined: 7/29/12
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
"The Peter Pan set looked like something from a high school production of Seussical....I didn't enjoy it."
I liked the opening shot where the camera travels over London and through the window of the house. But I was also expecting something brilliant, especially when they were flying, which the flying sequence was the weakest link in the show.
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