Logo

Oscars Producers Reportedly on Board for the Next Live NBC Musical — a Broadway Staple From 1957

May 12, 2014  •  Post A Comment

NBC has signed a deal to present a live TV production of a classic musical, with Oscars producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron reportedly set to produce, according to Broadway World.

NBC Entertainment Chairman Bob Greenblatt announced this morning at the network's upfront presentation in New York that the network will tackle the 1957 musical "The Music Man."

"While the exec did not give a specific date for the live broadcast, he did confirm that it will follow the network's previously announced live broadcast of 'Peter Pan,' set for December 4th," the story reports. "Last year, NBC aired its first live musical event, 'The Sound of Music,' starring Carrie Underwood."

Zadan and Meron were also behind NBC's "Sound of Music," and produced a 2003 TV adaptation of "The Music Man" that starred Matthew Broderick and Kristin Chenoweth, the report notes. They're also on board for NBC's "Peter Pan," not to mention more of ABC's Academy Awards.

Broadway World adds: "With book, music, and lyrics by Meredith Willson, 'The Music Man' is based on a story by Willson and Franklin Lacey. The plot concerns con man Harold Hill, who poses as a boys' band organizer and leader and sells band instruments and uniforms to the naive Iowa townsfolk, promising to train the members of the new band. But Harold is no musician and plans to skip town without giving any music lessons. Prim librarian and piano teacher Marian sees through him, but when Harold helps her younger brother overcome his lisp and social awkwardness, Marian begins to fall in love. Harold risks being caught to win her."

The 1957 Broadway version reportedly won five Tony Awards, including best musical, and ran for 1,375 performances. A popular film adaptation was released in 1962, starring Robert Preston and Shirley Jones.

music man-1962.jpg"The Music Man" (1962)

Your Comment

Email (will not be published)