This Wednesday morning, NBC announced that newcomer Shanice Williams will play Dorothy in The Wiz Live! airing December 3.
Williams joins a talented cast consisting of Queen Latifah as the Wiz, Mary J. Blige as Evillene, David Alan Grier as the Lion, and Stephanie Mills as Aunt Em. The Knockturnal had the chance to talk to the new starlet on the casting process and her excitement as the next Dorothy. Read highlights from our chat below!
On the audition process:
Being only 18 and The Wiz as her first televised appearance, Williams speaks about her road to claiming the legendary role:
So it started off as an open call, I was like 500 something in the line and I waited for over two hours so that was fun. After that, I did an audition and after that, I got to sing in front of the director and all the castings agents, Bernie and Kelsey, and then they invited me back for a callback. Then there were a few more callbacks … they flew me out to Los Angeles and after I auditioned for the head of NBC, they told me that I was going to be Dorothy.
On working with the cast:
As the only newcomer in the star-studded cast, Williams describes the cast as both idols and mentors:
Oh my god! Queen Latifah and Mary J. Blige, I could not be more excited. And also I wanted to mention Stephanie Mills because she is an original, I can’t wait.
Where did your love of musicals and theater come from?
I grew up in theater and started at a young age. I also had a lot of help and encouragement from the teachers and people around me.
What song are you most excited to perform live?
Okay so obviously I love all the songs in the play, but I would have to say “Home” because it’s the final song and it’s so iconic so I guess I have to say I’m most excited to sing that one at the end.
