NBC To Air 'The Making of The Wiz Live!'

Primetime Special Gives a Behind-the-Curtain Pass 

to NBC’s Highly Anticipated Television Event, 

“The Wiz Live!”

NEW YORK – November 23, 2015 — Go behind the curtain in The Land of Oz with NBC’s “The Making of The Wiz Live!” The hour-long primetime special produced by NBC News’ Peacock Productions will give an exclusive backstage look at this holiday’s highly anticipated television event, “The Wiz Live!”  “The Making of The Wiz Live!” airs Wednesday, Nov. 25 at 8 p.m./7 p.m. central on NBC. 

Watch a preview of "The Making of The Wiz Live!" here: http://www.peacockproductions.tv/specials/the-making-of-the-wiz-live/ 

If used, mandatory credit to NBC News’ Peacock Productions with air date.

“The Making of The Wiz Live!” is an all-access pass to the celebrities, music, costumes and design featured in “The Wiz Live!” The beloved Broadway musical, featuring songs such as “Ease on Down the Road,” “Home,” and “Be A Lion,” is re-imagined with newcomer Shanice Williams playing the title role of Dorothy.  The cast includes Tony Award nominee David Alan Grier as the Cowardly Lion, singer-songwriter-actor NE-YO as the Tin Man, and Elijah Kelley as the Scarecrow. Mary J. Blige plays Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Queen Latifah stars as the Wiz, the mysterious and powerful wizard who holds the keys to the Emerald City. Stephanie Mills, best known for playing Dorothy in the original Broadway production of “The Wiz,” will portray Aunt Em.  “The Wiz Live!” airs Thursday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m./7 p.m. central on NBC. 

Also co-starring in “The Wiz Live!” is Emmy Award winner Uzo Aduba (“Orange Is the New Black”), who will play Glinda, The Good Witch of the South, and Screen Actors Guild Award winner Amber Riley (“Glee”) as Addaperle, The Good Witch of the North. Oscar winner Common will act as the Bouncer, the gatekeeper of the entrance to Emerald City.

“The Making of The Wiz Live!” is executive produced by Colleen Halpin and Mary Murphy serves as director. Sharon Scott is the president and general manager of NBC News’ Peacock Productions.

“The Wiz Live!” is executive produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. Kenny Leon and Matthew Diamond serve as directors with new written material provided by Harvey Fierstein, music by Stephen Oremus and Harvey Mason Jr., and Fatima Robinson serves as choreographer. “The Wiz Live!” is produced by Universal Television in association with Cirque Du Soleil Theatrical.

###