Tamyra Gray in ENCORES "The Wiz"

[jarred03]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 11:05am

I've heard a rumor that Tamyra Gray will be Dorothy in Encores summer production of THE WIZ. Does anybody know if there is any truth to this rumor or who the other cast will be? I love Tamyra so I hope this is true. Let me know if you know anything.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 11:07am

Tamyra Gray? Boy, what happened to her?

Anika Noni Rose needs to play this part.

[jarred03]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 11:25am

What do you mean what happened to her? She was just in RENT as Mimi for over a year her run just ended in June.

Anika would be great, I love them both but Anika is busy with her tv show. So Tamyra would be the best choice.

[singtopher]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 11:30am

I like this idea. Though I still say they should have Jazmine Sullivan.

I mean, she's already played the part.

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 11:31am

Yeah, Jazmine Sullivan... MAN she can sing (and to think that was when she was a lot younger too!) But we all know they would never choose her

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 11:33am

I'm sorry, I just don't like American Idol rejects in what should be a production full of "stars". They call it their "Summer Stars" program, not their "Summer Reality Show Second Runner-Ups". I think Tamyra's a fine performer, but I'd rather see someone like Anika Noni Rose or Kenita R. Miller.

[perfectliar]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 11:35am

Jennifer Hudson was an American Idol reject.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 11:37am

True, but Jennifer Hudson has an Oscar and a Grammy (I believe). I know I'm going to get attacked for this, but she actually has star wattage.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 11:51am

I don't mind Tamyra Gray as a choice that much. She's very clearly a fan of Broadway, or at least has the respect for it, and the talent behind her.

I would still rather it be Anika Noni Rose.

[jarred03]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 11:52am

I think what he means is that Jennifer didn't have that stuff when she was cast along aside much bigger names in Dreamgirls but she needed that break to get those Oscars and Grammy's. Also, who is Kenita Miller? Is she a broadway "star"? because Tamyra has been leads in 2 broadway shows, a lead on the tv show "Boston Public" a lead in the movie The Gospel and was in Rachel Getting Married which was an oscar nominated film. So no offense to Kenita Miller, but I think Tamyra has a little more of a recognizable name.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 12:22pm

I'm not sure that Anika's voice is right for it.

[LouieLovesTheater]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 12:22pm

^^

Tamyra was in Rachel Getting Married for all of 15 seconds...so it's not like she added anything to the movie (which I hated btw).

I think Taymra would be a nice choice for Dorothy...she was great in RENT and seems to be dedicated to balancing stage/film/recording work.

[KingKong]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 12:29pm

Tamyra Gray was not the lead on a television show, she was a guest star.

[perfectliar]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 12:49pm

Piragua - Yeah, I was just saying that if we never gave the "American Idol rejects" another shot, you would never know what they truly have to offer. Jennifer Hudson was booted, now she has an Oscar and a Grammy.

Tamyra Gray was the best Mimi I ever saw in Rent. You just never know when one of the cast-offs will surprise you.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 1:02pm

I haven't heard anything about Gray, but in regards to other casting rumors, word was going around last week that LaChanze has been cast as Glinda.

Updated On: 4/5/09 at 01:02 PM

[RyToast1]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 1:07pm

As LiLo would say...

"I'm tired of rumors starting, I'm sick of being followed. I'm tired of people lying, Saying what they want about me."

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 1:36pm

If the rumors about both Tamyra and LaChanze are true, this is already going to be a wonderful production.

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 1:37pm

I want to see who they cast for Evilene. Felicia Fields?

Updated On: 4/5/09 at 01:37 PM

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 2:14pm

I saw Tamyra in Bombay Dreams twice, and she was absolutely terrific, you have to see her singing live. Her voice is wonderful. Also she was very nice at the stage door.

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 2:18pm

Do we know if it will be an all black cast? The 2006 Dutch production had white women for Glinda and Evilene.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 2:23pm

TimesSquare3-
This one is supposed to be all-black.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 2:50pm

I liked Gray in RENT, her vocals were on point, and her acting wasn't awful. She was the best part of the production when i saw it (the two male leads were AWFUL).

What abut Niki M. James? I think I saw her at "the Toxic Avenger" the other night. What's she up to?

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 4:06pm

Nikki M. James played the role at La Jolla right? How was she?
I'm quite disappointed by the rumor about Gray, I was hoping Anika Noni Rose would take the part. She's not busy with a TV show since the show already filmed and aired on BBC.

[brdwaybabe4life]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 4:12pm

As much as she's not a Broadway star or anything I think that Jazmine Sullivan should play the role of Dorothy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LwocqYj3f0

But as everyone else said.. I'd like to see someone other then Grey.

[DaintyJack]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 6:44pm

Be patient- something this anticipated will surely leak before long.