The musical "The Wiz" is coming to TV and back to Broadway.
NBC said Monday it will air a live production of the hit 1970s stage reinvention of "The Wizard of Oz" in December.
The network says its partner on the TV version is Cirque du Soleil's new stage theatrical division, which will then present "The Wiz" on Broadway for the 2016-17 season.
In January, NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt said the network remained committed to live musicals. The network scored big ratings with "The Sound of Music" in 2013 but drew just half the viewers for last year's "Peter Pan Live!"
Tony-Award-winning director Kenny Leon ("A Raisin in the Sun") will stage the TV production and Broadway revival of "The Wiz" in collaboration with fellow Tony winner Harvey Fierstein ("Torch Song Trilogy," ''Hairspray"), who's to contribute new material.
Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, executive producers for NBC's previous musicals, will have the same jobs for "The Wiz," the network said.
"The Wiz" is adapted from "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum, with a stage book by William F. Brown, and music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls. On stage, "The Wiz" mades its debut in Baltimore in OCtober 1974 before moving to Braodway in January 1975 where it remained for four years and won seven Tonys.
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A feature-film version was produced in 1978 starring Diana Ross as Dorothy, Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow, and Richard Pryor as the Wizard.
NBC's version of "The Wiz" will air Dec. 3. Casting for the TV and stage versions hasn't been announced.
