Common Joins the Cast of The Wiz Live!

Common is joining the all-star cast reviving “The Wiz” for NBC’s live broadcast of the Tony-winning musical on Dec. 3. NBC announced Thursday that Common will play the Bouncer, the gatekeeper of the entrance to Emerald City.

Also joining “The Wiz” is pop star Ne-Yo, cast as the Tin Man yearning for a heart.

The musical’s lineup now includes: Elijah Kelley (“Hairspray”) as the Scarecrow, David Alan Grier as the Cowardly Lion, Queen Latifah as the Wiz, Mary J. Blige as the Wicked Witch of the West, Uzo Aduba as the Good Witch of the South, Amber Riley as the Good Witch of the North and newcomer Shanice Williams as Dorothy.

Stephanie Mills, who played Dorothy in the original Broadway production of “The Wiz,” will portray Auntie Em.