‘The Wiz Live!’ Cast Gets Edgy Modern Makeover in First Look

Some newly released photos of the cast of The Wiz Live! is giving fans a look at what they can expect from the updated musical version of the classic tale The Wizard of Oz.

People exclusively released the first set of cast photos, which show the memorable Wizard of Oz characters with some current day flair. The new shot includes first looks at newcomer Shanice Williams as Dorothy, Elijah Kelley as the Scarecrow, Ne-Yo as the Tinman and David Alan Grier as the Cowardly Lion.

“We’re creating a fantasy land that also is inspired by some of the imagery you’d see today,” Tony-nominated costume designer Paul Tazewell told People (new issue on newsstands Friday). “It’s the edgiest of high-fashion from now but in the world of the Emerald City.”

The Wiz Live! has built an impressive cast that also includes Queen Latifah as The Wiz; Mary J. Blige as Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West; Uzo Aduba as Glinda, the Good Witch of the South; Amber Riley as Addaperle, the Good Witch of the North; Common as the Gatekeeper, and the original production’s Dorothy, Stephanie Mills, as Auntie Em.

No word yet if this cast is on board for the forthcoming Broadway revival of the show, which is set to open in the 2016-17 season.

Ease on down the road when The Wiz Live! airs on NBC, Thursday, Dec. 3.

Photo Credit: Kwaku Alston/NBC/People