NBC will continue its annual tradition of staging live theatrical productions with "The Wiz," but the show already has a future beyond its TV broadcast this holiday season.
NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt announced on Monday that the network has partnered with Cirque du Soleil to co-produce the live TV event. The Canadian entertainment company's new stage theatrical division will then launch a Broadway revival of "The Wiz" for the 2016-2017 season.
"We love this yearly tradition and we're more excited than ever to not only bring another Broadway musical to America's living rooms, but also see it land on Broadway as well," Greenblatt said. "It's a natural next step for our live musical events... Cirque's incredible imagination will help bring the fantasy world of Oz vividly to life and give this great show a modern spin on the age-old story we all love."
"The Wiz" is a retelling of L. Frank Baum classic book, "The Wizard of Oz," but from the perspective of an African-American/multicultural cast. The original Broadway production opened in 1975 and won seven Tony awards, including best musical.
Michael Jackson, Diana Ross and Richard Pryor starred in the 1978 movie based on the musical. The film was nominated for four Oscars.
Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon will helm both the television and Broadway productions in collaboration with Broadway vet Harvey Fierstein, who will contribute new material to the original Broadway book by William F. Brown.
Craig Zadan and Neil Meron will serve as executive producers, the same position they held for NBC's first two live productions, "Peter Pan Live!" and "The Sound of Music Live!"
"We're thrilled to have the opportunity to not only produce this as our next live musical for NBC, but to then see it move to Broadway for a new generation to experience," Zadan said.
Meron added, "It will be a joy to work again with Kenny Leon, who did 'Steel Magnolias' and 'Raisin in the Sun' with us."
"The Wiz" will premiere on Thursday, Dec. 3.
