NJ Teen Will Play Title Role In Beloved Musical
Shanice Williams, the Jersey girl plucked from obscurity to play the lead role in NBC’s remake of The Wiz, still can’t believe her luck. The 19-year-old classically trained singer and thespian stars in the live production alongside Ne-Yo, Mary J. Blige, Queen Latifah, Stephanie Mills and David Alan Grier. It airs Dec. 3.
BOSSIP spoke with the rising star about her breakout role, leaving theater school to audition and the advice Stephanie Mills gave her to play Dorothy.
Q: What went through your mind when you found out you’d be playing Dorothy?
A: “I was really shocked. Then just a feeling of thankfulness came over me. Just standing in that line, there were hundreds of girls. And for him to say I got the part, it felt amazing.”
Q: Were you a fan of “The Wiz” before?
A: “They did it when I was in middle school, but I was too nervous to audition for Dorothy. So I played Addapearle. At that time in my life, I listened to the soundtrack over and over in the car with my dad, and I watched the movie, so I was in love with the Wiz before I got this part.”
Q: You left your school, The College And Conservatory of the Performing Arts, right before you got the part. Tell us about that.
A: “The reason why I came home was because I wasn’t feeling the school and I had to look for a new one. I auditioned for this the day after I got off the airplane…When I came back, I was like, I have to find something to do with my life! This was a blessing. I remember days when I would just cry and pray and be like ‘God, what am I gonna do if I come home? I know I don’t belong here, but I don’t wanna end up on my mom’s couch or something like that. This is really a blessing.”
Q: What’s changed most about your life now?
A: “I really have to focus on me and take care of myself. I have to be like ‘Ok – this is what you can do, and this is what you can’t do.’…I have to always be on my ‘A’ game. I guess that’s a good thing.”
Q: What is the biggest thing you’ve learned from this experience?
A: “You have to remember it’s all about the work. If you forget that, it goes all downhill.”
Q: What have the rehearsals been like?
A: “Rehearsals are great for me. It’s my first time, so eight hours feels like 20 minutes. I’m just having a blast. I’m one of the youngest ones in the cast, so for me, everything’s just like ‘Oh my God!!’”
Q: Which scene in the The Wiz are you nervous about performing?
A: “This whole show is going to be really fun, but ‘Home’ is the song everyone’s waiting for. And it’s the end of the show, so it’s perfect. Once I sing ‘Home,’ (that’s it).”
Q: How did you bring the character of Dorothy into the modern day?
A: “I’m living in a different time, and I’m experiencing things differently. I handle things differently. Also it’s the choreography. It’s hip hop – every dance that we do now we’re going to do it in the classiest way.”
Q: How are you going to deal with jitters on performance night?
A: “Kenny, our director, always says ‘If you’re going to pray, don’t worry, and if you’re going to worry, don’t pray – and I’m going to be praying. I’m going to be praying the whole day, and that’s it.”
Q: What are you going to do when the show is over?
A: “We’re going to have a little party, then I’m going to cry, then I’m going to go to sleep.”
Q: Who has given you the best advice on set?
A: “Stephanie (Mills) she has been my role model. She tells me to take everything one step at a time and live in the moment. When it comes to ‘Home’ that’s my song, don’t hold back. She always has advice for me. I love her. That’s my auntie, for real!!”
Q: What’s up next for you? Where do you want your career to go from here?
A: “Audra McDonald, she does everything. She’s my inspiration. She does film, Broadway, everything, she does her albums – and I wanna be just like her. So if it comes along my way, if it’s great for my career, if it’s TV, film or Broadway, I’d love to do it all.”
The Wiz airs live Dec. 3 on NBC.
*Note: This interview was edited and condensed for space and clarity.
