Common, Ne-Yo, Elijah Kelly cast in NBC's 'The Wiz Live!'

NBC has cast Common, R&B singer Ne-Yo, and actor Elijah Kelley in its upcoming live broadcast of the musical "The Wiz"

Academy Award winner Common will play non-singing role of the Gatekeeper to Oz. Ne-Yo has been cast as the Tin Man, Dorothy's companion on the Yellow Brick Road in search of a heart. Kelly, known for his roles in "Hairspray" and "The Butler," has joined the special as the Scarecrow, who needs a brain from the Wizard of Oz.

The three join other recently announced cast members like "Orange Is the New Black" star Uzo Aduba and "Glee" alum Amber Riley. Aduba will play Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, while Riley will play Addaperle, the Good Witch of the North.

Also Read:Uzo Aduba, Amber Riley Cast as Good Witches in NBC's 'The Wiz Live!'

NBC also recently announced that Queen Latifah will play The Wiz, while Mary J. Blige will play Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West. 19-year-old newcomer Shanice Williams was cast as Dorothy and David Alan Grier will play the Cowardly Lion.

Craig Zadan and Neil Meron ("The Sound of Music Live!," "Peter Pan Live!," Oscar-winning "Chicago") will executive produce. Kenny Leon (Tony winner, "A Raisin in the Sun") is stage director and Matthew Diamond is TV director, with Harvey Fierstein (three-time Tony winner, "Torch Song Trilogy," "Hairspray" and "La Cage aux Folles") providing new written material.

Also Read:NBC's 'The Wiz Live!' Casts Its Dorothy

"The Wiz Live!" is produced by Universal Television in association with Cirque Du Soleil Theatrical. It will premiere Dec. 3 at 8/7c.

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See photos from the 1978 Wiz: