NBC Announces Open Casting Call for ‘The Wiz Live!’s’ Dorothy.

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Ever since news broke that NBC’s next live production would be a revival of the classic African American production The Wiz, excited fans, have been speculating over the casting.

Whoever scored the lucky role would have some pretty big shoes to fill as the original featured a star-studded cast, which included Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. Earlier this month, NBC announced that stage veteran Stephanie Mills, who played Dorothy in the Broadway version of The Wiz would be taking on the role of Auntie Em. The news introduced a new generation to Mills’ repertoire, but also stirred up more anticipation over the lead role of Dorothy.

According to a poll on TheRoot.com, Janelle Monáe is the fan-picked frontrunner for the role, with Keke Palmer in second place. However, it appears that NBC decided to go in a wildly different direction with the casting. The network, which has cast big names like Carrie Underwood for past productions, recently announced that it will be holding an open call for the role of Dorothy. The casting will take place on June 6th at from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Telsey + Co in New York City at 9 a.m.

According to Deadline, “candidates need to be prepared to sing “Home,” “Ease on Down the Road” and “Be a Lion” from the original Broadway production of “The Wiz.”’