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Bow down, witches.
Amber Riley (Glee) and Uzo Aduba (Orange Is the New Black) will play the Wicked Witch of the West’s sisters in NBC‘s upcoming live production of The Wiz, the network announced Thursday.
Riley will play Addaperle, the Good Witch of the North, and Aduba will play Glinda, the Good Witch of the South — both sisters of Evilene, the Wicked Witch of the West played by Mary J. Blige.
Addaperle, who’s not that great at magic, is the witch who points Dorothy to the Yellow Brick Road and gifts her with the silver slippers.
Aduba’s Glinda is the witch who eventually reveals the secret of the silver slippers to Dorothy and points her home.
“We are so happy to welcome two actors we’ve admired and wanted so much to work with,” executive producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron said in a statement. “We look forward to showcasing the amazing musical talents of Amber and we are eager to introduce Uzo’s remarkable singing voice for those who know her solely as an extraordinary dramatic actress.”
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Wednesday, the production announced that newcomer Shanice Williams will play Dorothy in the upcoming event. Previously cast roles include the Wizard (Queen Latifah), the Cowardly Lion (David Alan Grier) and Aunt Em (Stephanie Mills, who played Dorothy in the show’s original Broadway production.
The Wiz Live airs Thursday, Dec. 3.
Yay! Cant wait to watch
Casting for this is much better than the casting for Peter Pan.
What happened to Beyoncé?
She died!
Amber Riley is Beyoncé, she ain’t no Kelly Rowland.
I guess Amber is too old for Dorothy :/
I am so psyched for this! I heard Uzo Aduba singing on The View and her voice is beautiful. The whole cast so far seems great!
Ceptn that damn MJB…she cant sing or act her way out of a closet
I’m afraid that if you’re saying that Mary J. Blige can’t sing, I don’t think we can take anything you say seriously.
Crazy Eyes as Glinda! yes, I’m in!
I know what I’m watching
Suddenly I’m interested.
Very PC