Stephanie Mills (born March 22, 1957) is an American singer and songwriter. She rose to stardom as "Dorothy" in the original seven-time Tony Award winning Broadway run of the musical The Wiz from 1974 to 1979. The song "Home" from the show later became a Number 1 U.S. R&B hit and her signature song.
Gordy originally wanted the teenaged future R&B singer Stephanie Mills, who had originated the role on Broadway, to be cast as Dorothy. When Motown star Diana Ross asked Gordy if she could be cast as Dorothy, he declined, saying that Ross—then 33 years old—was too old for the role.
News Mabel King, Evillene of Bway's The Wiz, is Dead at 66 Mabel King, 66, who raised the roof in Broadway's The Wiz, as the wicked witch, Evillene, died Nov. 9 after a long illness, The New York Times reported. Mabel King, 66, who raised the roof in Broadway's The Wiz, as the wicked witch, Evillene, died Nov.
These photographs are from the 1975 production that opened at the Majestic Theater. André De Shields as "The Wiz" in a Beacon Theater (NYC) production, 4/8/93. André De Shields as "The Wiz" in a Beacon Theater (NYC) production, 4/8/93.
How old was Stephanie Mills when she played Dorothy?
Original Dorothy, Stephanie Mills, was just 17 when she opened The Wiz on Broadway. Stephanie Mills rose to prominence when she created the role of Dorothy in The Wiz; the character's finale ballad "Home" remains her signature tune. Surprisingly, she was just 17 when the show opened in January 1975.
Stephanie Mills On Auditioning For ‘The Wiz’ | Flashback | NBC News
How many times was Dorothy Malone married?
Dorothy Malone married three times. She met her first husband, French actor Jacques Bergerac, at a Hollywood party. They wed at St. Theresa's Church in Hong Kong on June 28, 1959, during her filming of The Last Voyage (1960).
Who was supposed to play Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz?
Several actresses were reportedly considered for the part of Dorothy, including Shirley Temple from 20th Century Fox, at the time, the most prominent child star; Deanna Durbin, a relative newcomer, with a recognised operatic voice; and Judy Garland, the most experienced of the three.
Original director John Badham stepped down when he objected to 33-year-old Diana Ross being cast as a teenage Dorothy. The character was changed to a 24-year-old kindergarten teacher, but by then Sidney Lumet had already replaced Badham.
Quincy Jones was skeptical of Jackson, too, but Cohen arranged a meeting, flying 19-year-old MJ to New York. Finally, Lumet and Jones saw the qualities that Cohen saw. “That boy is so sweet!
At the very least, the same is true with “The Wiz.” The original Broadway cast starred R&B legend Stephanie Mills as Dorothy. In the movie. produced by Motown Records, Mills was replaced by Miss Diana Ross.
After graduating magna cum laude from Howard University, Rashad began her professional career on Broadway, including understudying Deena Jones in Dreamgirls (1982) and playing a Munchkin in The Wiz (1977).
BET shared a previous interview with V103 where Mills confessed that she and Jackson dated. “I loved Michael,” she said. “I thought that I was going to be Mrs. Michael Jackson, but I was ready at 20 and 21 to get married and he was not even close to getting married or having a girlfriend at the time, but yes we dated.
Stephanie Mills (born March 22, 1957) is an American singer and songwriter. She rose to stardom as "Dorothy" in the original seven-time Tony Award winning Broadway run of the musical The Wiz from 1974 to 1979. The song "Home" from the show later became a Number 1 U.S. R&B hit and her signature song.
Stephanie Mills is opening up about her experience playing Dorothy in the Broadway musical The Wiz and all the “hate mail” she received for playing a character that a white woman played before.
The late princess was said to have been a fan of Jackson's long before they met on July 16, 1988, at his “Bad” concert tour in Wembley Stadium. Like the rest of the world, Princess Diana was reported to have been listening to the songs Thriller and Bad on repeat before the concert.
However, a Motown singer and personal friend of Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, also wanted the role of Dorothy. Despite her manager Berry Gordy's discouragement, she managed to convince the film's exec producer, Rob Cohen, to arrange a deal where he would produce the film if she was cast as Dorothy.
What did Diana Ross say about Michael Jackson's death?
“I can't stop crying, this is too sudden and shocking. I am unable to imagine this,” Ross said at the time of his death. “My heart is hurting. I am in prayer for his kids and the family.”
Stephanie Mills *was* in serious consideration to reprise her Broadway role. This was when it was a lower budgeted production that was being produced by Motown Productions. Miss Ross got wind of it and she contacted Berry Gordy, who told her she was too old for the part.
How much older was Diana Ross than Michael Jackson?
Diana Ross, 14 years older, was the love in Michael Jackson's life. She was '' his mother, his lover and his friend''. She was the love that always escaped him. He met her in 1969 when the Jackson 5 signed to Motown.
Rhonda Ross Kendrick (born Rhonda Suzanne Silberstein; August 14, 1971) is an American singer and former actress. Kendrick is the daughter of singer and actress Diana Ross and Motown Records founder Berry Gordy.
What mental illness did Dorothy have in The Wizard of Oz?
We're no shrinks, but it seems like Dorothy could be suffering from HPD, a disorder that manifests itself through attention-seeking behavior, intense theatricality, and a shallow array of emotions.
Who did Dorothy miss the most in The Wizard of Oz?
Dorothy says to the Scarecrow, I'll miss you most of all. But fortunately for you, I never get sick of talking about it. So let's do it again. In the early drafts of the Wizard of Oz script, there was an innocent romance between Dorothy and Honk, the counterpart of the Scarecrow in Kansas.
