AceShowbiz -

The cast of NBC's "The Wiz" are revealed for the first time in their costume. The network unveiled key arts that feature the four main characters; Alan Grier as the Cowardly Lion, Shanice Williams as Dorothy, Ne-Yo as the Tin Man and Elijah Kelley as the Scarecrow.

"The Wiz" is NBC's third live musical special to follow up "The Sound of Music Live!" and "Peter Pan Live!". Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, who worked on the previous two specials, are back as executive producers with Tony-winning director Kenny Leon set to direct.

"The Wiz" opts for an African-American/multicultural context in this production. An adaptation of L. Frank Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" with music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls and a book from Brown, the musical follows Dorothy, a young woman from Kansas, who is swept up in a tornado and relocated to a fantasy world. She eventually takes a path down a yellow brick road to find a wizard who can help her go home and along the way meets a scarecrow, tin man and cowardly lion, who all learn to help one another.

The special will air Thursday, December 3 on NBC, starring as well Common, Amber Riley, Uzo Aduba and Queen Latifah. The network also released a preview of the musical in the form of cast interview and behind-the-scenes.