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[Sovereign.]

Crazy Eyes' got crazy pipes!
Orange Is the New Black star Uzo Aduba and Glee's Amber Riley are set to join NBC's live production on The Wiz, E! News can exclusively reveal. While Aduba will take on the role of Glinda the Good Witch, Riley will play Addaperle, the Good Witch of the North and Glinda's sister. Yes, Crazy Eyes and Mercedes Jones are playing sisters. Witchy sisters. Go on, get your squeals out, we'll wait.
"We are so happy to welcome two actors we've admired and wanted so much to work with," said executive producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron in a statement. "We look forward to showcasing the amazing musical talents of Amber and we are eager to introduce Uzo's remarkable singing voice for those who know her solely as an extraordinary dramatic actress."


Aduba, who has won an Emmy for her work on OITNB, and Riley join an all-star line-up that already includes Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige and David Alan Grier, as well as newcomer Shanice Williams as Dorothy. As E! News recently reported, the network was courting Beyonc? for the role of Glinda, with sources telling us it was between her and Aduba for the coveted role.
Fun fact: Before becoming the breakout star of Orange Is the New Black, Aduba starred in the Broadway revival of Godspell from 2011 to 2012.
When The Wiz debuted on Broadway in 1975, Glinda was played by Grammy-winning jazz singer Dee Dee Bridgewater, with legendary and Grammy-winning Lena Horne took on the part in the 1978 movie.
Aside from Aduba taking on the role of Glinda and Riley as Addaperle, Blige will play Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West (and another sister!), while Latifah will be playing the infamous Wizard. The Cowardly Lion will be played by Grier. And Stephanie Mills, who took on the role of Dorothy in the original Broadway play, will be playing Auntie Em.
The Wiz Live! will air on NBC on Thursday, December 3.

[AIDS!]

Well!

[BigDawg]

Who gives a shit

[Sovereign.]

It'll be great! Unfortunate Bran couldn't be a part, but all in due season.
They have a strong cast & Kenny Leon is a bomb ass director. He don't make shit.

[BigDawg]

It just seems to me they went the popularity route as far as casting is concerned.For some reason I am not sold on this cast, with or without Brandy.

[Sovereign.]

What are you talking about? 

No one even knows the girl playing Dorothy. 
As for Uzo (a classically trained vocalist & actress) & Amber, they're perfect picks. David Alan Grier slays. Queen will bring something unique & fun to The Wiz. The only one I'm side-eyeing a bit is Mary J. Blige as Evilene. I thought Jill Scott would've been an epic choice, but whateve's. Kenny Leon's a Tony Award winning director. Y'all don't know shit.

[...]

i been digging all the choices beside Momma Mary.


I am a little taken aback at the fact they didnt use Bran,

but no biggie!

she still the first black princess

[BigDawg]

What are you talking about? 

No one even knows the girl playing Dorothy. 
As for Uzo (a classically trained vocalist & actress) & Amber, they're perfect picks. David Alan Grier slays. Queen will bring something unique & fun to The Wiz. The only one I'm side-eyeing a bit is Mary J. Blige as Evilene. I thought Jill Scott would've been an epic choice, but whateve's. Kenny Leon's a Tony Award winning director. Y'all don't know shit.

relax luv



Never seen OITNB
Never seen Glee
Never seen David Alan Grier in anything other than In Living Color
Never seen MJB do anything other than bop across a stage
Queen I can get with, but that is minimal. So yea, this cast puzzles me.

[pop]

Why everyone mad about Mary on this board

[BigDawg]

I sed don nobody bring meh, no bad news

[Hugo]

They can keep it

[Herb.]

Why everyone mad about Mary on this board

cuz she's a ho hun

[Sovereign.]

What are you talking about? 

No one even knows the girl playing Dorothy. 
As for Uzo (a classically trained vocalist & actress) & Amber, they're perfect picks. David Alan Grier slays. Queen will bring something unique & fun to The Wiz. The only one I'm side-eyeing a bit is Mary J. Blige as Evilene. I thought Jill Scott would've been an epic choice, but whateve's. Kenny Leon's a Tony Award winning director. Y'all don't know shit.

relax luv



Never seen OITNB
Never seen Glee
Never seen David Alan Grier in anything other than In Living Color
Never seen MJB do anything other than bop across a stage
Queen I can get with, but that is minimal. So yea, this cast puzzles me.

Sorry, you're not "cultured", luv.

David's a Tony-nominee, has a new sitcom on NBC & Yale School of Drama grad. Queen's an Oscar-nominee. Uzo's an Emmy winner & slays classical voice, Amber slays PERIOD. Woo! And Kenny Leon's a Tony-Award winning Broadway & regional theatre director. Stay pressed, baby.

[Herb.]

B

Uh oh

[...]

What are you talking about? 

No one even knows the girl playing Dorothy. 
As for Uzo (a classically trained vocalist & actress) & Amber, they're perfect picks. David Alan Grier slays. Queen will bring something unique & fun to The Wiz. The only one I'm side-eyeing a bit is Mary J. Blige as Evilene. I thought Jill Scott would've been an epic choice, but whateve's. Kenny Leon's a Tony Award winning director. Y'all don't know shit.

relax luv



Never seen OITNB
Never seen Glee
Never seen David Alan Grier in anything other than In Living Color
Never seen MJB do anything other than bop across a stage
Queen I can get with, but that is minimal. So yea, this cast puzzles me.

Sorry, you're not "cultured", luv.

opp