NBC is keeping up with its now annual holiday tradition of live musical theater with The Wiz Live! The special, an adaptation of the 1975 Broadway musical, which later became a movie starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson, puts an urban spin on The Wizard of Oz. This event airs live Thursday, December 3rd at 8:00pm ET on NBC, and stars Queen Latifah as The Wiz, and David Alan Grier as The Cowardly Lion.

Check out the sneak peek and preview videos below.

The story remains the same. Dorothy Gale (newcomer Shanice Williams) finds herself in a magical place, and needs to get to The Wiz to help her find her way home. She collects her companions – The Scarecrow (Elijah Kelley – Hairspray), the Tin Man (Ne-Yo), and The Cowardly Lion, who are all missing something too. Stephanie Mills (Dorothy in the original Broadway show) plays Auntie Em, Mary J. Blige is the Wicked Witch, Uzo Aduba (Orange is the New Black) is Glinda, and Amber Riley (Glee) is Addapearle, the good witch of the north.

I really loved Michael Jackson in the original movie. I hope (and do think) Elijah Kelley can pull it off.

Fans are encouraged to live tweet during the show – #TheWiz

The Wiz Live!airs Thursday, December 3rd at 8:00pm ET on NBC. Be sure to also catch The Making of The Wiz Live tonight at 8:00pm ET on NBC.

NBC’s ABOUT THE SHOW

NBC embarks on its latest musical holiday tradition: a 3-hour LIVE event production of the groundbreaking Broadway show that brought Oz to life in a funky sing-along journey down the yellow brick road.

Winner of 7 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the original massive Broadway hit spawned a feature film starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. Now, a Tony-winning creative team, the imaginative Cirque du Soleil Theatrical and a diverse cast of showstoppers create an eye-popping new take unlike anything ever seen.

From Executive Producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron comes an adventure of stunning spectacle and toe-tapping music.

Video

First Look: The Wiz Live!

Go behind the scenes with Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, David Alan Grier, Ne-Yo, Elijah Kelley and Shanice Williams for an in-depth look at the live television event The Wiz Live!, coming to NBC for one night only, Thursday, Dec 3 at 8/7c.

The Wiz Live! – Get Ready for the Live Event of the Season on December 3! (Preview)

Get ready for The Wiz Live!, starring Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, Common, Ne-Yo, David Alan Grier, Elijah Kelley, Stephanie Mills, Amber Riley, Uzo Aduba and Shanice Williams as Dorothy. Watch The Wiz Live!, Thursday, December 3 at 8/7c on NBC.

[Source: NBC YT