Who was supposed to play Dorothy The Wiz?

Gordy originally wanted the teenaged future R&B singer Stephanie Mills, who had originated the role on Broadway, to be cast as Dorothy. When Motown star Diana Ross asked Gordy if she could be cast as Dorothy, he declined, saying that Ross—then 33 years old—was too old for the role.

Who did the music for The Wiz?

/ Chiefly produced by Quincy Jones, The Wiz soundtrack features non-sync cast performances by the stars of the film, including Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, Ted Ross, Mabel King, Theresa Merritt, Thelma Carpenter, and Lena Horne.

Who played the Crows in the Wiz?

The Wiz (1978) – Derrick Bell as The Four Crows – IMDb.

How old was Diana Ross in The Wiz?

Many considered Diana Ross to old to play Dorothy, at 34, and Mills was 21. Dorothy is no older than 10 years old in the original book, and she’s 12 (played by a 16-year-old) in the 1939 movie. For Diana Ross, Dorothy’s age was adjusted to 24.

What categories did the Wiz get Tony’s for?

Faison and Holder both won Tony Awards for choreography and costume design, respectively in 1975. The show had a pre-Broadway tryout at the Forrest Theatre in Philadelphia from December 11, 1974, through December 21, 1974.

Is the Wiz better than the Wizard of Oz?

“The Wizard of OZ” is a more accurate adaptation of L. “The Wiz” is a very stylized all black musical and dance version, which is loosely based upon the L. Frank Baum book. Moreover, the setting, story and costumes for the Wiz appear to be a commentary on the lifestyles and various environments of New York City.

Who is the only still living cast member of The Wiz?

leaves Diana Ross as the sole surviving principal cast member of “The Wiz,” Motown’s film version of the Broadway production — itself a re-telling of the L. Frank Baum novel, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” (Though not a main cast member, Stanley Greene, who played Uncle Henry, is still living.)

How old was Michael Jackson when he made The Wiz?

Michael portrayed the Scarecrow in the 1978 movie version of The Wiz. He was 20 years of age when he portrayed the scarecrow.

What happened to Nobody Beats the Wiz?

In 1998, after having expanded from roughly 20 stores to over 80 stores in less than a year, the chain filed for bankruptcy and was purchased by Cablevision for $80 million. Cablevision eventually dropped the “Nobody Beats the Wiz” slogan.

Is Diana Ross Black?

Best known as the the lead singer of the popular 1960s singing group The Supremes, Diana Ernestine Earle Ross was born on March 26, 1944, in Detroit, Michigan, the second of six children of African-American parents Ernestine Lillian (Moten), a schoolteacher, and Fred Earl Ross, who served in the army.

Was the movie The Wiz a flop?

The Wiz remains a favorite with many fans, although it was initially a flop upon release, failing to recoup its $24 million budget (adjusted for inflation, that’s over $92 million).