THE WIZ: 2015 NBC LIVE MUSICAL- Page 5

[rjm516]

Posted: 3/31/15 at 3:57pm

Tituss as the Lion would be amaaazing! I mean, so would Iglehart. They really have no excuse not to pick someone awesome!

I love the idea of Queen Latifah or Retta being involved. God I am so excited to see who is cast. There are SO many great options.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 3/31/15 at 4:10pm

"And since this is an NBC production, where will they cast Christian Borle?"

He'll probably end up taking the year off (especially if Something Rotten! is still running by then).

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 3/31/15 at 4:39pm

Jennifer Hudson can not and will not be a part of this. Done.

[Showface]

Posted: 3/31/15 at 9:39pm

I really hope they cast a teenager! I just think it will be much more interesting! However, if they don't, Janelle Monae or Samantha Marie Ware are my picks for Dorothy!

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 3/31/15 at 10:27pm

The idea of Janelle Monae is thrilling- even if her acting is terrible (and it's not like Dorothy is a terribly hard acting challenge), she would sound gorgeous singing that music.

Has anyone else though of Chandra Wilson for something in this? She was in Caroline and has a terrific voice, and she's decently well-known enough to be fun in one of the smaller roles. Maybe Evilene?

[Robbie2]

Posted: 3/31/15 at 11:33pm

Dorothy - China Anne McClain
Wiz - Billy Porter, Sean Combs or Eddie Murphy
Scarecrow - Bruno Mars or Usher
Lion - James Monroe Iglehart
Tin Man - Tituss Burgess
Addaperle - Queen Latifah
Glinda - Diana Ross or Stephanie Mills
Evilene - Patti LaBelle or Niki Minaj
Aunt Em - Audra McDonald

Updated On: 4/1/15 at 11:33 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 3/31/15 at 11:38pm

Jennifer Hudson can not and will not be a part of this. Done.

From your lips to god's ears, girl.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 4/1/15 at 12:01am

Is it too much to ask for Audra to play Glinda?

Also, if it's multicultural and not an all black cast I really wouldn't object to Laura Benanti playing Addaperle. At the very least maybe another video of her auditioning for every role in the show?

[philly03]

Posted: 4/1/15 at 1:06am

"Though Quvenzhané Wallis is young and I bet she could pull it off!"

Hopefully "Home" is completely pre-taped and lip-synced while the camera focuses on the babies from the film.

[Comden Green]

Posted: 4/1/15 at 4:35am

Have I missed it, or has this topic really gone on for five screens with no mention of Leslie Odom jr?

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 4/1/15 at 9:50am

@Phyllis

Hudson's Color Purple revival opens the same night as The Wiz airs on NBC. December 3rd. Its called logic, girl.

[Showface]

Posted: 4/1/15 at 12:07pm

"Have I missed it, or has this topic really gone on for five screens with no mention of Leslie Odom jr?"

Wow--I guess so . . .

Tin Man or Scarecrow!



On Live With Kelly and Michael, Pharrel was asked if he would be interested in the Tin Man--he said he's not much of an actor so "no".

[Brian07663NJ]

Posted: 4/1/15 at 12:31pm

Christian Borle will figure out some way to get a role.

Why isn't anyone suggesting Whoopi!?

How about Al Sharpton or Jimmy McMillan (from the "Rent is Too damn High Party")?

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 4/1/15 at 12:36pm

Why not just suggest any African American actors that can carry a tune and call it a freakin' day already...

Oh wait-a-minute...that *is* what you all are doing...

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 4/1/15 at 12:41pm

Yet another thread that makes me happy that posters around here are not casting directors.

[Bilbo3]

Posted: 4/1/15 at 12:56pm

Ariana Grande is literally perfect for Dorothy.

[Showface]

Posted: 4/1/15 at 1:00pm

Updated On: 12/5/15 at 01:00 PM

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 4/1/15 at 1:02pm

literally? really? ariana grande isn't african american...

[Bilbo3]

Posted: 4/1/15 at 1:03pm

Regardless of her race, she is perfect for Dorothy.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 4/1/15 at 1:05pm

no she's not

Updated On: 4/1/15 at 01:05 PM

[Bilbo3]

Posted: 4/1/15 at 1:10pm

Why cause she's not black? God forbid any other ethnicity play the role even when their voice and personality is perfect for it. The racial casting system we hold today is much more flawed than I realized. Dorothy doesn't have to be black. If someone actually thinks Dorothy HAS to be Black in order to do The Wiz correctly, then they don't know anything about The Wiz. Not necessarily judging you, Carlos. Just saying in general.

Updated On: 4/1/15 at 01:10 PM

[JohnyBroadway]

Posted: 4/1/15 at 1:17pm

I'd love to see the Allen sisters (Debbie and Phylicia) some how involved in this.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 4/1/15 at 1:27pm

Why cause she's not black? God forbid any other ethnicity play the role even when their voice and personality is perfect for it. The racial casting system we hold today is much more flawed than I realized. Dorothy doesn't have to be black. If someone actually thinks Dorothy HAS to be Black in order to do The Wiz correctly, then they don't know anything about The Wiz. Not necessarily judging you, Carlos. Just saying in general.

it seems to me you have no idea about the history of THE WIZ as a show because if you did you wouldn't have suggested ariana grande as "dorothy".

i suggest you read about the show it's creation and what the original creative team were trying to say with the piece in relation to the african american experience.

so if they plan to honor the original shows intention then dorothy HAS TO BE BLACK.

educate yourself.

[broadwayboy223]

Posted: 4/1/15 at 1:35pm

Are Aunt Em and Glinda not played by the same actor in the Wiz? I would think if Audra signs on she's doing both. Ariana Grande could be good but she might be too busy.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 4/1/15 at 1:38pm

Leslie Odom Jr. will likely being playing Aaron Burr for a long time and therefore, is unavailable.

JOSHUA HENRY is the person who needs to be in this the most.