NBC's 'The Wiz' Finds Its Dorothy in Shanice Williams

The upcoming NBC new live musical has found the right actress to portray a girl who finds her way to the Emerald City.

August 6, 2015

AceShowbiz -

NBC is adding Shanice Williams to play a key character in the upcoming live musical "The Wiz". The 18-year-old actress is cast as Dorothy, a girl who finds her way to the Emerald City. It's a role made famous by Diana Ross in a 1978 film.

"This is always what I've wanted to do," Williams said. "So I guess I'm ready! I'm ready now." She will join Queen Latifah as the titular Wiz who holds the keys to the Emerald City, Mary J. Blige as the Wicked Witch of the West, and Stephanie Mills, who starred as Dorothy in the original Broadway production, as Aunt Em.

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The musical will air on December 3. It joins NBC's "The Sound of Music Live!" which stars Carrie Underwood and Stephen Moyer, and "Peter Pan Live!" which is led by Allison Williams and Christopher Walken.

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