Muppets' Wizard of Oz Print
Written by Robert ID1104   
Tuesday, 05 April 2005 02:10

This May, international R&B super star Ashanti makes her leading lady debut as "Dorothy" in the original telefilm, "The Muppets'' Wonderful Wizard of Oz," for the ABC Television Network.

Joining her in this madcap adventure movie are actress/hip-hop rap artist/producer superstar Queen Latifah ("Chicago," "Barbershop 2") as her beloved guardian "Auntie Em" and action film master, director Quentin Tarrantino ("Kill Bill," vols. 1 and 2) in a cameo as himself.

David Alan Grier ("Life with Bonnie") portrays Uncle Henry and Jeffrey Tambor ("Arrested Development") is the Wizard of Oz. "The Muppets'' Wizard of Oz" airs May 20, 2005 (8:00 p.m., ET), as part of the hit family franchise, "The Wonderful World of Disney."

The fun and fanciful new ABC telefilm "The Muppets'' Wizard of Oz," starring Ashanti and the Muppets and directed by Kirk Thatcher, will have its world premiere on Wednesday, April 27th as part of the Tribeca Family Festival. The Tribeca line-up addition was announced today by Festival co-founders Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff. The film's executive producers are Lisa Henson and Brian Henson; Martin G. Baker and Warren Carr are producers, and Bill Barretta, Kristine Belson and Eric Poticha are co-producers. The Tribeca Family Festival runs concurrently with the Tribeca Film Festival. The Tribeca Film Festival is presented by American Express.

The premiere will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center in lower Manhattan with Ashanti, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, The Great Gonzo and Pepe the King Prawn in attendance, along with other special guests.

This is the Muppets'' first major television event since the franchise was purchased by the Walt Disney Company in 2004.