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SOUND OFF Special Edition: Ease On Down The Road! 10 Fabulous Features Of THE WIZ, 2015's Live NBC Musical

By: Apr. 01, 2015
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This week it was officially announced that NBC will be following up its successful broadcasts of THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE! and PETER PAN LIVE! with an all-star new production of popular 1970s R&B musical THE WIZ with a live telecast this December, so today we celebrate some of the most tantalizing aspects of the entertainment event. Given the fact that THE WIZ is based on one of the most cherished and timeless stories ever written, L. Frank Baum's THE WIZARD OF OZ, the potential for this new live presentation of THE WIZ to become a widely-viewed take on one of the most well-known tales of all time, poised to introduce a classic to a whole new generation, is doubly stacked - and incredibly exciting, as well.

Plus, executive producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, NBC president Robert Greenblatt and director Kenny Leon have already stacked the deck with an impossibly accomplished creative team that will undoubtedly breathe new life into the funky disco trappings of much of THE WIZ as it is now known - perhaps some orchestration updates and arrangement refinements will be in order to go along with the new book being crafted especially for the brand new 2015 presentation? While we will have to wait until December 3 to know for sure what precisely comprises this particular stew being cooked up, now is an ideal time to look back at the hearty list of ingredients that makes THE WIZ a modern musical classic and why it has remained a popular title for nearly 40 years in regional theaters and school productions around the world.

1. A star-making role. The central role of Dorothy offers the lucky leading lady chosen for the part not only the opportunity to make a major dramatic and musical mark on the audience, but also score with one of the songstack's most notable showstoppers, the soaring and emotional "Home". Who will don the iconic slippers?

2. Lions & Scarecrows & Tin Men, Oh My! Besides Dorothy, THE WIZ showcases three spectacular supporting roles, as well, each outfitted with a surefire audience-pleaser of a song selection - "Be A Lion" alone should be worth the price of admission (in this case, albeit free).

3. "Ease On Down The Road". One of the most ubiquitous and popular musical theatre songs to ever break out of a Broadway show, musical theatre does not get much more toe-tapping and indelible than this gem from the Charlie Smalls score. While Michael Jackson's spirited take will be hard to top, no doubt the corps of THE WIZ LIVE! will give it their very best shot to have it hit home for a modern crowd.

4. A new WIZARD OF OZ for a new generation. Although the classic MGM film is known by all and Broadway's WICKED is nearly as familiar to most contemporary audiences, the chance for viewers to experience the touching tale of a simple girl on a magical journey and how she learns who she really is - and where she really belongs - is utterly priceless. And timeless, too.

5. Witch-tastic! Not only does THE WIZ boast lions, scarecrows and tin men, but also two very different witches - both Glinda THE GOOD WITCH and Evilene, the wicked witch. Perhaps Audra McDonald could return to the live musical format following her unforgettable THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE! turn with a sensational Glinda - or perhaps Whoopi Goldberg would deign the enterprise worthy enough to appear as Evilene. The possibilities are virtually endless - and wickedly delectable.

6. Cirque du Soleil. The world's most imaginative circus troupe will be directly involved in creating dances and movement for THE WIZ LIVE! and their presence on the creative team makes clear that this will be a newly reconceived take on the classic fit for fresh eyes and ears - and those seeking out something spine-tingling and fiercely imaginative, as well.

7. The scenic design. THE WIZ affords ample opportunities for visual flair and eye-grabbing design elements considering that it is set in a magical imaginary land, so we can hope that the creative team will go all-out in coming up with a visual hook for the show to entice a modern audience in an innovative and hopefully surprising manner.

8. The Wiz himself. Who will manage to nab the juicy title role of The Wizard and face the inevitable comparisons with the iconic originator of the role, Andre De Shields, who still raises the roof with an uncannily brilliant take on his big song "So You Wanted To See The Wizard?" 40 years after he originated the role on Broadway - as he himself proved in BroadwayWorld's 10th anniversary concert last year. Yet, casting dictates all, so let's all hope they find somebody absolutely ideal. Somebody call Billy Porter!

9. An updated book. Multi-Tony Award-winning Broadway baby Harvey Fierstein will be adding some flair to the proceedings byway of a refreshed new book for THE WIZ LIVE!, and, given his stupendous track record for brilliant books in the past - LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, NEWSIES and KINKY BOOTS among them - we can surely anticipate some fantastic new wordplay and winning wit to be on display when December rolls around.

10. The continuation of a holiday tradition. 2013's THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE! was a RUNAWAY hit, nabbing nearly 30 million viewers, but last year's PETER PAN LIVE! did not capture the lighting-in-a-bottle excitement and audience numbers, so NBC has shown considerable faith in green-lighting THE WIZ LIVE! As a result, the creative team is no doubt preparing to present the absolute finest and most fulfilling night of musical theatre fireworks we could possibly hope for in order to keep the tradition going for many more years to come - and that alone makes it a must-see event for all entertainment enthusiasts. If only to support the presence of live musicals on TV, be sure to tune in - although there shall be many more enticing elements than just merely that as we approach the big night.

Stay tuned to BroadwayWorld for all about NBC's THE WIZ LIVE! as we come ever closer to the big, big night when all of America clicks its heels together and eases on down the road one more time.

Photo Credits: Martha Swope

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