Ashanti is off to see the Wizard!
The R&B singer has been confirmed for the lead role of Dorothy in the urbanized revival of the classic musical The Wiz, which will run in New York this summer. The role marks Ashanti’s theatrical debut, though she played the character in the 2005 made-for-TV movie The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz.
The musical, which made its Broadway debut in 1975, won seven Tony Awards and was made into a movie in 1978. Quincy Jones produced the movie's soundtrack, with Michael Jackson playing Scarecrow and Diana Ross as Dorothy.
The Wiz, which is based on the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum will be a part of Encores! Summer Starts series in New York City and will run from June 12 through July 5 at New York City Center.
Ashanti, who has acted in such films as Coach Carter and Resident Evil: Extinction, released her fourth studio album, The Declaration, last June.
