GALLERY: The Inspiration Behind 'The Wiz Live!' Costumes

Costume Designer Paul Tazewell describes Dorothy (played by newcomer Shanice Williams) as “youthful, artistic, and original, today’s young black woman."Paul Gilmore / NBC

In developing the costume for Aunt Em (played by actress, singer Stephanie Mills), Paul describes her character as “nostalgic” and “warm” as well as “the aunt all of us would want.”Virginia Sherwood / NBC

Ne-Yo as TinmanPaul Gilmore / NBC

Costume Designer Paul Tazewell describes The Cowardly Lion (played by three-time Tony nominee David Alan Grier) as “dreaded,” as in hair, “a lion of the street who’s funny, cuddly and the more mature of the friends.”Paul Gilmore / NBC

Costume Designer Paul Tazewell describes the “Collage of Found Objects” Scarecrow (portrayed by actor Elijah Kelley) as “energetic, hip, and fashion forward.”Paul Gilmore / NBC

Costume Designer Paul Tazewell describes The WIz (played by Golden Globe Award winning actress and recording artist Queen Latifah) as “androgynous, angular, a showman (showperson?) and definitely GREEN.”Paul Gilmore / NBC

Uzo Aduba as GlindaPaul Gilmore / NBC

Paul Tazewell, costume designer for THE WIZ LIVE!, describes Glinda, Good Witch of the South (played by actress Uzo Aduba) as a "grounded ball of light.”Paul Gilmore / NBC

Costume Designer Paul Tazewell describes Evilene (played by Grammy Award-winning recording artist Mary J. Blige) as “electric,” cold” and “threateningly beautiful.”Paul Gilmore / NBC