Uzo Aduba Beats Out Beyoncé For Role in ‘The Wiz Live’ + Amber Riley Joins The Cast

Posted August 6, 2015

thewizcast

The cast of The Wiz Live is getting longer and longer with each day. After just announcing yesterday that newcomer Shaniece Williams will be playing the lead role of Dorothy, now two other ladies have been confirmed for the cast of the highly anticipated remake.

Orange Is The New Black star Uzo Aduba and Beyoncé were both in talks for the role of Glinda The Good Witch but as we told you according to reports Bey bailed on the role after being offered it twice. Well now Uzo has finalized the deal to take on the role and Glee‘s Amber Riley has also signed on to the remake. Via Essence:

Aduba, a classically trained singer and Broadway actress, will be playing Glinda, the Good Witch of the South. Riley will play opposite Aduba, stepping into the shoes of Addaperle, the Good Witch of the North.

“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,”Wiz executive producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron said in a statement.

The two join an already stellar (and growing!) cast. Just yesterday, producers announced that David Alan Grier would be playing the Cowardly Lion and talented newcomer Shanice Williams had been cast as Dorothy. Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige and Wiz veteran Stephanie Mills have already signed on to the project, playing The Wiz, the Evillene the Wicked Witch of the West and Auntie Em, respectively.

The Wiz LIVE! airs on Thursday, December 3 at 8/9c on NBC.

 

Comments are closed.

Search the site

Looking for something in particular?

JoJo's Current Playlist

The Archive

Looking for something in particular?