New Jersey Native Cast as Dorothy in NBC’s The Wiz Live!

Today, we got the answer to a question we’ve all been waiting for: Who’s going to play Dorothy in NBC’s live version of The Wiz Live!. 

After an audition process that included hundreds of hopefuls, Deadline reports that 18-year-old New Jersey native Shanice Williams will play the part that was made famous by Diana Ross and Stephanie Mills. This will be the first television role for the relatively unknown musical theater actress. She will lead a cast that includes big namers like Mary J. Blige (as Evillene), Queen Latifah (the Wiz) and David Alan Grier (the Cowardly Lion.)

The Wiz Live! is set to air on Thursday, December 3rd.