Mary J. Blige Shines In ‘The Wiz Live’ With ‘Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News’

 

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Mary J. Blige absolutely stole the show as Evillene, The Wicked Witch Of The West, during NBC’s production of ‘The Wiz Live!’ Dec. 3. She completely blew us away with her performance of ‘Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News.’

Mary J. Blige, 44, can do no wrong, and the R&B legend showed us that when she crushed it in her portrayal of Evillene, the Wicked Witch Of the West on The Wiz Live! She completely owned the show with her rendition of “Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News,” which she said in interviews was her favorite song from the musical.

Mary showed off amazing musical theatrical chops with her rousing and uplifting performance in a night that had so many. But the R&B goddess belted out this number like it’s never been performed before. She sang while surrounded by coal shoveling dancers behind her, and she demanded they WORK. And boy did she work it!
“I’m going to keep it classic and keep it close to what it is, but I’m going to definitely bring some ‘Mary J. Blige’ to the song — and some ‘Mary J. Blige’ attitude to Evillene,” she told Playbill in Nov. “I love the song, so I’ll be able to really turn it into something that’s me, but I don’t want to take it so far away from what I love so much about the song, because I think so many people love the same things that I love.”

 

Her amazing costume featured knee-high black boots, red and black shiny leggings surrounded by a billowing ball skirt of glittering black and marron fabric. Her dramatic look also featured a long-sleeved glissening top with black piping ringlets on her shoulders to make her look even more threatening and scary (yet stunning!). To complete the look, her hair was styled into a braided updo with an elaborate crown. To purchase your own copy of The Wiz Live, click here.
We lost our minds with joy in July when it was announced Mary had signed on to play Evillene on The Wiz Live! and her performance was everything we hoped it would be. “I can’t wait to watch Mary bring the badness that is Evillene,” director Kenny Leon said at the time. “Her talent range is off the charts and I know audiences won’t be able to take their eyes off her.”