WHOSE READY FOR "THE WIZ REVIVAL"- Page 2

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/22/04 at 10:37pm

here ya go!

It's at dodger.com...

[alterego]

Posted: 10/22/04 at 11:44pm

I read something about the original production where they said that Dorothy is supposed to be 12. When talking about big names playing Addaperle, Glinda and Evillene just remember that all of these characters have about 10 minutes of stage time. I really can't see a Audra McDonald or Jennifer Holiday spending 2 and a 1/2 hours sitting in a dressingroom waiting, waiting 8 times a week can you?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/22/04 at 11:57pm

to play Glinda??? I dunno... maybe.

[sean martin]

Posted: 10/23/04 at 2:08am

Since Evillene has one of the best personal showcase numbers in the whole play, I imagine there'll be quite the line to get that part.

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 10/23/04 at 9:22am

Re: THE WIZ film--

Diana Ross always considered herself to be in the same category as THE Classic Singers (like Judy Garland!) so she thought she'd be the PERFECT entertainer to play the part of Dorothy in THE WIZ. (She had said that playing Dorothy was always one of her dreams.)

When she heard that Motown was going to film THE WIZ with orginal star Stephanie Mills, she went to long-time mentor Berry Gordon (President of Motown, he helped the Supremes get started) and got down on her HANDS AND KNEES and begged him to be cast as Dorothy.

Gordon was initially aghast ("You're too old to be any damn Dorothy!") but Ross persisted, pointing out that Garland wasn't a teenager when she played role and gave a few suggestions as to how film could work if she was in it.

Finally, against his better judgment, Gordy gave up because Ross owed Motown one more picture and realized that with Ross in movie, film would have a "pre-sold" audience, no matter how BAD it was.

So, he told Motown Ross would be cast as Dorothy and ordered screenwriter Rob Cohen to write a script that would make sense with her in the role.

The rest is ... a VERY EMBARRASING moment in Hollywood History!


P.S. Ross has not made another movie since THE WIZ.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/23/04 at 9:26am

Ross is a twit then. last time I checked, Garland was 16 when she took on the role.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 10/23/04 at 12:26pm

i am a huge fan of the show and am waiting w/ my breath held for this show. i just cannot wait! whoops, that was a little shill-ish

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 10/23/04 at 2:24pm

Hey Bdwyguy...,

You are TWICE RIGHT:

Garland was 16 AND Ross is a twit. :)

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/23/04 at 4:54pm

why thank you Mary_Ethel. And can we please also mention that in addition to be way too old, Diana Ross displayed No acting ability.. ANYWHERE... in that film??

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 10/23/04 at 5:22pm

Andre de Shields, the original Wizard, did NOT play he role gay at all (and neither did his successors). As I recall, The Wiz was a slick, sharply dressed, confidance man (who just happened to be a great dancer). More of a 70s update of Cab Calloway than anything else.

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 10/23/04 at 6:11pm

But BG2,

WHEN has Ross ever displayed ANY acting ability?

(Please don't bring up LADY SINGS THE BLUES. She may have 'played' Billie Holliday, but all she did was sing Holliday's songs and over-emoted her way through the rest.)

And MAHAGONY? She was so wooden I wanted to cut her up for kindling! :)

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/23/04 at 6:13pm

how true. Ross has never actually emboddied a character.

[BwayLeadman]

Posted: 10/23/04 at 8:09pm

I could imagine Andre de Shields doing a good job as the WIZARD, but as I said these characters are done to the directors and actors views. I guess my phrasing as "gayish" was used wrong (I totally have nothing against the gay community, I as an actor work with them daily)

Lets be more contemporary, the WIZARD is a Metrosexual
(not knowing his sexual orientation)
That should clear it off!

I read somewhere (dont know if this information is accurate) that the producers and director of the the revival of THE WIZ are thinking of doing the show "contemporary" It said that since the movie was in NYC and not Kansas, they are thinking of doing a similar theme. ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Updated On: 10/23/04 at 08:09 PM

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 10/23/04 at 8:20pm

"Ross has never embodied a character"?

Oh, yes she has!

She does just fine as a vain, self-centered, ego-driven maniac who ousted the MOST talented performer from her singing group.

Have I made my views on Ms. Ross clear, or should I go on? :)

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/23/04 at 8:24pm

nope.. you are quite clear! ha ha ha ha ha

[Unmasked05]

Posted: 10/23/04 at 8:58pm

I hope that when the show is revived that its set is amazing....I think that the show would be so much better if the show has a awesome set. When "The Wiz" came to B'ham the set wasn't all that appealing and I think thats how the the original show was. This show could use a AWESOME set.

[BwayLeadman]

Posted: 10/23/04 at 9:34pm

This show has alot alot of potential for a great set design.
Alot of scenes to set-up:
Kansas (if they do it with Kansas)
Tornado; Munchkin Land; Poppy field; Emerald City; Evilene's Castle, WoW!
I wouldn't be surprised if THE WIZ wins a Tony for set!
Of course, they need a good designer!

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/23/04 at 9:36pm

might i suggest David Gallo for scenic design and Tobin Ost for costumes?? Updated On: 10/23/04 at 09:36 PM

[Mojojo5]

Posted: 10/23/04 at 10:20pm

Well, my casting of The Wiz was sort of a dream casting (or rather, a Broadway dream cast-- now, a new movie or tv version would have a different cast-- more pop based, less musical theatre). I doubt Audra would play Glinda the Good in a run but Vanessa L. might. Anyways, that poster is kinda blah to me. Ahh well, we shall see.

Zach

Posted: 10/24/04 at 12:32am

OK boys and girls I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but i will be anyway......

THE WIZ revival is being Produced by "the Dodgers" and Stage Holding, right....well has anyone else read the paper. Joop Van den Ende, the Owner and president of Stage holding is no longer going to produce shows with the Dodgers. He will carry through with his commitment on Good Vibrations and then break ties.

So the long and short here is, on a show such as the Wiz which like has a 10 million dollar plus price tag, and Joop who was no doubtedly contributing 90% of that. I would be surprised if we see a Wiz this season at all. So all these people who have been in talks.....Im doubting it, and if they were, they arent anymore. There is a LOT of talk that this show is shelved, just like BARE was. NO MONEY!!!!

I have no confirmation on this, just throwing it out there.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 1:14am

Producer, The Wiz is on the shelf indeffinately. I am just speaking in terms of "I hope"

[BwayLeadman]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 3:19am

No WIZ? It was good while it lasted.