I am the first to admit that I am snarky and sarcastic. When I don’t like a movie or an episode of television, I can be a bit vicious. It’s in my nature, I guess.
There are two types of people that watch the new NBC live musical tradition: people that are tuning in for a fun night with their families and the bitchy ones who want to have a good time making comments on Twitter. During The Sound of Music Live! and Peter Pan Live! I fell in the latter camp. This year, NBC is mounting The Wiz, and they have a pretty impressive cast. Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, and David Alan Grier are ready off to see the wizard with newcomer Shanice Williams leading the way. With every piece of material that is released, however, something is changing. This live production seems truly spectacular.
Not only were images of Latifah (as The Wizard), Common (as the Emerald City gatekeeper), and Uzo Aduba (as Glinda) in costume released today (courtesy of Entertainment Weekly), but a video of Williams and Stephanie Mills (the original Broadway Dorothy and Aunt Em in the NBC version) singing the signature tune “Home” made the rounds this weekend. It feels like we are witnessing the birth of a true star in Williams. Her voice just soars in the video, and it doesn’t seem like she is letting loose yet.
The Wiz Live! will be broadcast on NBC on December 3rd.
