Ashanti is following the yellow brick road all the way to Broadway.

MTV News reports that she'll be playing Dorothy in the Summer Stars production of "The Wiz." She's a bit nervous about taking up the role that Diana Ross made famous in 1978.
 
"I think it's definitely going to be pressure, but in a good way," Ashanti said. "Broadway is so prestigious, and just getting that experience and getting to work with more seasoned actors is exciting," she said. "Broadway, it's a horse of a different color."
 
The last time she portrayed Dorothy was in the Muppets version of "The Wizard of Oz." She also starred as Elphaba Thropp (The Wicked Witch of the West) in a charity production of "Wicked."
 
"The Wiz" will run at New York City Center from June 12 through July 5, but Ashanti isn't sure who else is starring in the show.

-- Sonya Eskridge