"The Wiz" Telecast Casting News

[sansradio]

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/stephanie-mills-play-aunt-em-nbc-wiz-article-1.2218078

[skooldem1]

This is GREAT news!!!! I don't understand why all articles on this telecast reference the movie version. This is based on the play. I had a feeling that they would cast Stephanie in one of the roles. I even suspected that if she did do it that she would play Auntie Em.

[dickiemint]

The casting of Diana Ross as Glinda would be a smart move

[RobertZ]

Great news; Ms. Mills with turn "The Feeling We Once Had" inside - out!

[jobeterob]

But Diana Ross doesn't want to do this stuff any more.

[marv2]

I am very happy that Stephanie Mills was chosen to participate in this. She will be great!

[Bluebrock]

Stephanie Mills will indeed be wonderful. She is such an underrated artist.

[thommg]

Just read that Fatima Robinson [[Dreamgirls movie, Black Eyed Peas) is going to choreograph. I think she is an inspired choice to get this live version dancing!

[sansradio]

Just read that Fatima Robinson [[Dreamgirls movie, Black Eyed Peas) is going to choreograph. I think she is an inspired choice to get this live version dancing!

Nice! Fatima's no joke. The " 'og' " will definitely be off the chain!

[arr&bee]

It's funny that you mentioned[the wiz]i have a question about the first movie,now m.j.was the scarecrow but he wasn't the first choice,who was and why didn't he do the movie?

[skooldem1]

I've read that Jimmy Walker was considered- don't know if he was the first choice or not, or why he didn't get the part.

[reese]

I've read that Jimmy Walker was considered- don't know if he was the first choice or not, or why he didn't get the part.

I've also read that Jimmie Walker was one of the original choices, but that producer Rob Cohen didn't want him, saying that he was a "caricature of a comedian."

[arr&bee]

Yep it was ol[j.j.]but he says that they wouldn't let him off of his[good times]work to do the film.

[midnightman]

Wow, Stephanie surely has come full circle. 2015 is the 40th anniversary of "The Wiz" and her star turn as Dorothy. :)

[sansradio]

Wow, Stephanie surely has come full circle. 2015 is the 40th anniversary of "The Wiz" and her star turn as Dorothy. :)

You're absolutely right, midnightman! Didn't even think about that. Even more fitting.

[sansradio]

Update [[including the casting of another former Motowner [hint: not who you think it is]):

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/queen-latifah-mary-blige-join-cast-nbc-wiz-article-1.2307748

[nysister]

Wow, Stephanie surely has come full circle. 2015 is the 40th anniversary of "The Wiz" and her star turn as Dorothy. :)

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