Stephanie Mills Will Play Aunt Em In NBC’s THE WIZ Live

It always will begin with Stephanie Mills it seems. Mills, who was the original Dorothy in the Broadway production of The Wiz in 1975 and for the revival in 1984, has been cast to play Aunt Em in NBC’s live production of the musical, set to air on December 3, with big plans to bring it to Broadway in the 2016-17 season in association with Cirque du Soleil .

Today, according to multiple sources who attended the NBC Upfronts presentation and confirmed by executive producer Craig Zaden on twitter that Grammy Award winning Mills will not only join the cast but also that the role of Dorothy would be going to a newcomer! So that cancels out casting plans for some but we’re beyond ecstatic about this.

BREAKING: The amazing STEPHANIE MILLS (@PrettyMill1), the original Dorothy in Broadway prod of #TheWiz, will star as Aunt Em in #TheWizLive.

— Craig Zadan (@craigzadan) May 11, 2015

This is a full circle moment. One to take in with a deep breath and appreciate. This just feels right, it’s so appropriate and… respectful. It’s just… all-around lovely to hear and to think about. We’re excited and anxious to hear the rest of the casting. They’re definitely on the right path. We’re keeping the faith that it stays there.

JUST IN: The Original Dorothy, Stephanie Mills (@PrettyMill1) will play AUNT EM in @NBC‘s Live Telecast of THE WIZ! pic.twitter.com/CRmPnF5nUz — Broadway Black (@BroadwayBlack) May 11, 2015

The Wiz for NBC will partner with Cirque du Soleil to bring the live and Broadway productions to life. Tony Award winning director Kenny Leon will stage both productions. The original book of the show was written by William F. Brown. This time around, legend Harvey Fierstein will add new material to the book.

“We love this yearly tradition and we’re more excited than ever to not only bring another Broadway musical to America’s living rooms, but also see it land on Broadway as well,” said NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt. “It’s a natural next step for our live musical events and we’re so pleased to be in business with this award-winning creative team and Scott Zeiger, President and Managing Director of Cirque du Soleil’s new theatrical division. Cirque’s incredible imagination will help bring the fantasy world of Oz vividly to life and give this great show a modern spin on the age-old story we all love.”

“We are delighted that NBC and Cirque du Soleil will present ‘The Wiz,'” said Zeiger. “It’s a musical I have wanted to produce for years and it’s the perfect show to present under the new Cirque du Soleil Theatrical banner.”

“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to not only produce this as our next live musical for NBC, but to then see it move to Broadway for a new generation to experience,” said Zadan. “It will be a joy to work again with Kenny Leon, who did ‘Steel Magnolias’ and ‘Raisin in the Sun’ with us,” added Meron.

Universal Television will produce. Casting for both the NBC telecast and Cirque du Soleil‘s Broadway production will be announced at a later date.

Watch Below As Stephanie Mills Sings Home from The Wiz on the Soul Train Awards 2014