NBC ANNOUNCES CASTING CALL FOR DOROTHY IN HOLIDAY PRODUCTION OF "THE WIZ LIVE!"

Producers Looking for Young Woman With Extraordinary Voice to Bring Iconic Role to Life for TV Event

NEW YORK - May 27, 2015 - NBC is having an open casting call for the lead role of Dorothy in the network's upcoming holiday special "The Wiz Live!," set for Thursday, Dec. 3.

The casting call is set for Saturday, June 6 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Telsey + Co., 311 W. 43rdSt., 10thFloor in Midtown Manhattan. Sign-in begins at 9 a.m.

Casting directors will be looking for a young African-American woman between 18-27 years old. She must have an extraordinary voice that can tell a story, as well as be mature with a youthful energy.

Candidates need to be prepared to sing the songs "Home," "Ease on Down the Road" and "Be a Lion" from the original Broadway production of "The Wiz."

"The Wiz Live!" is adapted from "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum, with a book by William F. Brown, and music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls. The production opened on Broadway in 1975 at the Majestic Theatre and won seven Tonys, including best musical.

Craig Zadan and Neil Meron ("The Sound of Music Live!," "Peter Pan Live!") serve as executive producers. Kenny Leon will direct with Harvey Fierstein providing new written material. "The Wiz Live!" is produced by Universal Television in association with Cirque Du Soleil Theatrical.