The good news? Mary J. Blige is going to completely own the stage as Evillene performing "No Bad News" when "The Wiz Live!" comes to NBC.
In this first footage of the R&B diva as she inhabits the role of the Wicked Witch, Mary proves that she won't be an easy foe for Dorothy and her pals to defeat as they ease on down the road. And they better come prepared to sing because Evillene's got some pipes on her. Pipes and a serious aversion to water, that is.
In the live holiday event, airing Thursday, Dec. 3, Mary is joined by newcomer Shanice Williams as Dorothy, David Alan Grier as the Cowardly Lion, Ne-Yo as the Tin Man, Elijah Kelley ("Hairspray") as the Scarecrow, Queen Latifah as the Wiz, Uzo Aduba as Glinda the Good Witch, with Common, Amber Riley, and Stephanie Mills (Broadway's original Dorothy) rounding out the cast.
"The Wiz Live!" is a revival of the Tony-winning '70s musical that tells the story of "The Wizard of Oz," but with an "African/American/multicultural twist," as NBC describes it. Following its live TV debut, producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron plan to move to the production to Broadway in the 2016-2017 season.
"The Wiz Live!" airs Thursday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m./7c on NBC.
"The Making of 'The Wiz Live!" airs Wednesday, Nov. 25 at 8 p.m./7c on NBC.
(E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
