http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/the-wiz-live-david-alan-grier-cowardly-lion-1201556653/

David Alan Grier to Play Cowardly Lion in NBC’s ‘The Wiz Live!’

Whitney Friedlander
TV News Editor
@loislane79

David Alan Grier has the courage to explore live TV.

The comedian and three-time Tony Award nominee has joined NBC’s production of “The Wiz Live!.” He’ll play the Cowardly Lion, the famously timid friend of the lost Dorothy who accompanies her down the Yellow Brick Road in the hopes that their journey will lead him to find some courage.

Grier broke out via Fox’s 1990s sketch show “In Living Color.” His TV credits also include “Crank Yankers” and “Happy Endings.” His stage credits include a co-starring role in the original Broadway production of “Dreamgirls” and his film credits include “A Soldier’s Story” with Howard E. Rollins and Denzel Washington and “Jumanji” with Robin Williams. He will soon appear on the NBC sitcom “The Carmichael Show,” which premieres Aug. 26.

“The Wiz Live!” is adapted from L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” with a book by William F. Brown and music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls. It is produced by Universal Television in association with Cirque Du Soleil Theatrical. Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, who worked with NBC on other live musical specials “The Sound of Music” and “Peter Pan,” are exec producing. Kenny Leon serves as stage director and Matthew Diamond as TV director. Harvey Fierstein is providing new written material. The cast also includes Stephanie Mills, who starred in the original Broadway version of the musical, as well as Queen Latifah and Mary J. Blige.

“The Wiz Live!” premieres Dec. 3 on NBC.

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http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/dorothy-the-wiz-live-nbc-1201556964/

Maane Khatchatourian
News Editor, Variety.com
@MaaneKhat

NBC’s “The Wiz Live!” has found its Dorothy in newcomer Shanice Williams.

https://youtu.be/53ovnCVj3IM

The 18-year-old, who was selected out of hundreds of applicants from a nationwide, open casting call, will join the titular Wiz Queen Latifah, Wicked Witch of the West Mary J. Blige and Cowardly Lion David Alan Grier in the live NBC show, it was announced Wednesday on “Today.”

Stephanie Mills, who starred as Dorothy in the original Broadway production of the African-American adaptation, has landed the part of Aunt Em.

The Wiz will mark Williams’ TV debut. She co-starred in several plays in her home state of New Jersey, including “West Side Story,” “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” “42nd Street” and “Pippin.”

The Wiz follows NBC’s live musical specials of “The Sound of Music” and “Peter Pan.” Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, who were behind both of the aforementioned NBC productions, will executive produce “The Wiz Live.” Kenny Leon is stage director and Matthew Diamond is TV director, with Harvey Fierstein providing new written material.

“The Wiz Live!” is adapted from L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” with a book by William F. Brown, and music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls. The play opened on Broadway in 1975 and won seven Tonys, including best musical, during its four-year run. The musical was turned into a film in 1978, starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Lena Horne and Richard Pryor.

“The Wiz Live!” airs on December 3.