Beyonce or Uzo Aduba May Play Glinda in NBC's 'The Wiz'

NBC has its sights set on some big names to fill out the already-impressive cast of its upcoming live staging of "The Wiz": According to several outlets, both Beyonce and Uzo Aduba are being considered for the part of Glinda the Good Witch.

E! reports that Beyonce has already been offered the role, though no deal has been finalized yet. According to Entertainment Weekly, producers have apparently approached the singer at least twice about the part, but the singer has passed both times; EW says that NBC may be prepping yet another offer for Queen Bey, though it's unclear if that's the offer E! is talking about.

But if Beyonce doesn't take it, there's another, equally-talented actress apparently waiting in the wings: "Orange Is the New Black" star Aduba, who has a Broadway background (she appeared in a 2011 revival of "Godspell"). According to E!, Aduba is producers' second pick for the part, though it's unclear if she's been approached yet about the role.

Whoever takes on the part has some big shoes to fill: The role was originated in "The Wiz"'s 1975 Broadway debut by Dee Dee Bridgewater, and performed by Lena Horne in the 1978 movie. The film also starred fellow mega-talents Diana Ross as Dorothy and Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow.

Speaking of big shoes, NBC's live version of the multicultural retelling of "The Wizard of Oz" has already cast some major talent. Both Queen Latifah and Mary J. Blige have joined the ensemble, playing the titular wizard and Wicked Witch of the West Evillene, respectively. Stephanie Mills, who played Dorothy in the original Broadway production, will portray Auntie Em this time around.

NBC is collaborating with Cirque du Soleil on "The Wiz," and is also staging a Broadway revival of the show for the 2016-2017 season. Its live version is slated to run on the network on December 3.

[via: E!]

Photo credit: Getty Images



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