U.K. reality show looks for new 'Oz' stars

LONDON, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- The winners of Andrew Lloyd-Webber's upcoming U.K. reality competition series will star in a new stage musical version of "The Wizard of Oz," the BBC said.

The show's producers are looking for a young woman to play Dorothy and a dog to play Toto in the planned West End production.

"I can't wait to work with the BBC again in the hunt for Dorothy -- an iconic role, of course, made famous by a young Judy Garland in the film in 1939," said composer and producer Lloyd-Webber. "But, as a cat man myself, however, I approach casting Toto with considerable trepidation."

The reality show, which is to be presented by comedian Graham Norton, is to air next year, the BBC said.

Called "The Wizard of Oz," the program is expected to follow the format of previous competition series like "I'd Do Anything," "Any Dream Will Do" and "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" which found stars for the musicals "Oliver!," "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and "The Sound of Music."