NBC announces casting call for Dorothy in 'The Wiz Live!'

When NBC said it was searching for a newcomer to play Dorothy, it wasn’t kidding.

The network has announced an open casting call for its upcoming live production of The Wiz. NBC is calling for young African-American women between 18-27 years old who have an extraordinary voice to audition on Saturday, June 6 from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. at Telsey + Co in Midtown Manhattan. Candidates must be mature, but have a youthful energy and be prepared to sing “Home,” “Ease on Down the Road” and “Be a Lion”—and they’d better get in line early, because sign-in begins at 9 a.m.

The 1975 Broadway hit re-imagines The Wonderful Wizard of Oz with an all-black cast and a New York City-inspired Land of Oz. The live production, which is partnered with Cirque du Soleil, will follow NBC’s hugely successful 2013 hit A Sound of Music Live and last year’s comparatively disappointing Peter Pan Live. As previously announced, Stephanie Mills will co-star as Auntie Em. Mills originally played Dorothy when the musical first launched.

The Wiz Live! will air Dec. 3 on NBC.