The Wiz has been announced as NBC's next live musical. The network will recreate the 1975 Broadway hit with an all-black cast and the backdrop of Manhattan as Land of Oz. The live television production follows the network hit A Sound of Music Live and 2014's Peter Pan Live with Allison Williams.
Because of the success that FOX saw with Empire this season, The Wiz was the clear choice for NBC, who will partner with Cirque du Soleil to co-produce the event. The television adaptation will also head to Broadway for the 2016-17 season.
“We love this yearly tradition and we’re more excited than ever to not only bring another Broadway musical to America’s living rooms, but also see it land on Broadway as well,” said NBC chairman Robert Greenblatt. “Cirque’s incredible imagination will help bring the fantasy world of Oz vividly to life and give this great show a modern spin on the age-old story we all love.”
Casting has not been announced yet. The Wiz will air Dec. 3 on NBC.
[via Entertainment Weekly]
