October 3, 2017

Amazon Developing Drama About 1980s Soaps Inspired By John Stamos’ Early Life

In a competitive situation, Amazon has landed for development a drama series project from John Stamos and producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (Hairspray Live), which chronicles the fame and excess of daytime soaps in the 1980s. Universal TV, where Zadan and Meron are under a deal for series and live events, is the studio.

The untitled drama, originally set up at Uni TV a year ago, is inspired by the experiences of Stamos, whose acting career was launched in 1982 when, at the age of 18, he landed the role of Blackie Parrish on the ABC daytime drama General Hospital.

September 27, 2017

Fox Nabs Hip-Hop Dance Drama Inspired By Fatima Robinson From Craig Zadan & Neil Meron With Penalty

Fox has given a script commitment plus penalty to hourlong semi-autobiographical hip-hop dance drama Take It From The Top (working title) from top choreographer Fatima Robinson, producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron and Universal Television.

Written by NCIS: LA co-executive producer Joe Wilson and Abdul Williams, who penned BET’s highly-rated The New Edition Story, Take It From The Top is inspired by Robinson’s life as a dancer-turned-choreographer and is set in 1990s Los Angeles just as hip-hop dance begins to dominate pop culture. From the streets and clubs that gave birth to hip-hop dance, the show follows Fatima and her crew as she rises in this exploding new world set against her stifling family obligations and personal life.

September 14, 2017

Alec Baldwin to Star in NBC’s Live ‘A Few Good Men’

Alec Baldwin should remain in the zeitgeist for at least a little longer.

Fresh off his two Emmy nominations for his defining turn as President Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live, Baldwin is set to star in another NBC production: a live staging of Aaron Sorkin’s A Few Good Men, with Sorkin writing and the net’s go-to event producers Neil Meron and Craig Zadan attached to executive produce. Baldwin will play Col. Nathan Jessep, a role made famous by Jack Nicholson in the beloved 1992 film, which also starred Tom Cruise along with Demi Moore and Kevin Bacon.

June 30, 2017

Tyler Perry to Play Pioneering Filmmaker Oscar Micheaux in HBO Biopic

HBO is developing a biopic of pioneering African-American filmmaker Oscar Micheaux that has Tyler Perry on board to star.

Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are shepherding the project for Sony Pictures TV through their Storyline Entertainment banner. Perry is set to executive produce with Zadan and Meron but does not plan to direct.

May 10, 2017

NBC Sets Live Staging Of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR For Easter 2018

Set for Easter Sunday (April 1, 2018), NBC will bring to broadcast television “Jesus Christ Superstar Live!,” a one-of-a-kind live staging of the iconic 1971 Broadway rock opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. The event will be executive produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice, Marc Platt, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron.

April 13, 2017

Queen Latifah, Betsy Brandt, Jill Scott & Marin Ireland To Star In Flint Water Crisis Movie

February 28, 2017

Fox Developing ‘Cotton Club’ Event Music Series From Craig Zadan & Neil Meron

Fox is developing Cotton Club, a soapy music series based in the hottest club in Harlem in the Roaring ‘20s. It comes from former Empire co-executive producer Ayanna Floyd, who serves as showrunner; Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, producers of NBC’s live musical franchise; Broadway director Kenny Leon; and music executive LA Reid.

January 6, 2017

Cher To Star In Flint Water Crisis Lifetime Movie From Craig Zadan & Neil Meron

Cher is set to star in Flint, Lifetime’s original movie about the water-contamination crisis in Flint, Michigan. The Oscar winner also will executive produce the project, along with Craig Zadan, Neil Meron, and Katie Couric. Oscar-nominated director Bruce Beresford has been tapped to direct Flint, which has not been formally greenlighted yet but is expected to begin production in the spring. Sony TV is the studio.

October 28, 2016

‘Bye Bye Birdie Live!’ With Jennifer Lopez Set at NBC

NBC has set its next live musical — “Bye Bye Birdie,” with Jennifer Lopez on board to star.

Lopez will executive produce with Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Benny Medina, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, and her company Nuyorican Productions will produce with Universal Television. Harvey Fierstein will write the television adaptation, with the special slated to air in December, 2017.

September 15, 2016

John Stamos Teams With Craig Zadan & Neil Meron For Drama About 1980s Soaps

John Stamos has partnered with producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (The Wiz Live!) for a cable drama series chronicling the fame and excess of daytime soaps in the 1980s. Universal TV, where Zadan and Meron are under a deal for series and live events, is the studio.

The untitled drama, now in early stages of development, will be inspired by the experiences of Stamos, whose acting career was launched in 1982 when, at the age of 18, he landed the role of Blackie Parrish on the ABC daytime drama General Hospital.

September 7, 2016

Ephraim Sykes and Shahadi Wright Joseph join HAIRSPRAY LIVE!

Hamilton cast member Ephraim Sykes and young School of Rock cast member Shahadi Wright Joseph are the latest actors announced to join NBC’s starry broadcast of Hairspray Live!

Sykes will star as Seaweed J. Stubbs with Wright set to portray Little Inez, NBC announced September 7.

August 18, 2016

Andrea Martin Joins Hairspray Live!

Tony Award-winning Pippin star Andrea Martin will play overbearing mother Prudy Pingleton opposite pop star Ariana Grande (13, Scream Queens) as her daughter Penny Pingleton in NBC’s December live broadcast of Hairspray.

Hairspray also stars Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein recreating his Tony-winning Broadway role as Edna Turnblad, as well asKristin Chenoweth as Velma Von Tussle, Sean Hayes as Mr. Pinky, Rosie O’Donnell, as the gym teacher, Garrett Clayton as Link Larkin,Martin Short as Wilbur Turnblad, pop star Grande as Penny Pingleton, Derek Hough as TV host Corny Collins, Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson as Motormouth Maybelle and newcomer Maddie Baillio as Tracy Turnblad.

Hairspray Live! will air December 7 at 8 PM.

Fierstein will provide a new teleplay, and Jerry Mitchell ( Kinky Boots, On Your Feet!) will serve as choreographer for the live production with music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman ( Smash, Catch Me If You Can and Broadway’s upcoming Charlie and the Chocolate Factory).

August 2, 2016

Sean Hayes, Rosie O’Donnell Added To ‘Hairspray Live!’ Cast

Sean Hayes will play the role of Mr. Pinky, dress shop owner, in NBC’s holiday presentation of Hairspray Live! Rosie O’Donnell will play the gym teacher in the live adaptation of the 60’s set musical, producers Neil Meron and Craig Zadan announced during the live holiday special’s TCA panel, happening now.

August 1, 2016

‘Hairspray Live!’ Adds Dove Cameron & Garrett Clayton

Dove Cameron, who plays Liv on Disney Channel’s Liv and Maddie, and Teen Beach Movie‘s Garrett Clayton have joined the cast of Hairspray Live!, NBC’s live musical produced by Universal Television that will air December 7 from Los Angeles. She will play Amber Von Tussle and he is Link Larkin.

July 7, 2016

Ariana Grande Joins HAIRSPRAY LIVE!

The singer-actress has joined the cast of Hairspray Live!, she announced on Twitter.

She will play the role of Penny Pingleton in the upcoming NBC live musical.

“Penny has been a dream role since Hairspray opened on Broadway,” tweeted Grande, who made her Broadway debut in the musical 13.

Hollywood Reporter

June 21, 2016

Kristin Chenoweth Joins Hairspray Live!

Hairspray Live! has found its Miss Baltimore Crabs: Kristin Chenoweth will play villainous Corny Collins Show producer Velma Von Tussle in the NBC musical.

June 14, 2016

Scott Ellis to Direct NBC’S A FEW GOOD MEN LIVE

At today’s Variety’s annual TV Summit held at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills, playwright Aaron Sorkin revealed the news that Scott Ellis will direct NBC’s upcoming live adaptation of A FEW GOOD MEN. The ‘West Wing’ scribe said of the multi-Tony nominated Broadway director, “I couldn’t be more excited.”

Ellis directs the current revival of Roundabout Theatre Company’s SHE LOVES ME. His other Broadway credits include “Steel Pier,” “1776,” “Twelve Angry Men,” “Curtains,” “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” and “You Can’t Take It with You.” He also served as executive producer on Showtime’s “Weeds” and has directed episodes of “Modern Family,” “Nurse Jackie,” “The Good Wife,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Frasier” and “30 Rock,” for which he was nominated for an Emmy.

June 7, 2016

‘Hairspray Live’ Taps Newcomer Maddie Baillio for Tracy Turnblad Role

Producers of NBC’s “Hairspray Live” have tapped a 20-year-old actress and singer from Texas for the lead role as Tracy Turnblad in the 1960s-set musical.

Maddie Baillio of League City, Texas, was unveiled as the “Hairspray Live” star Tuesday morning on NBC’s “Today.” She was chosen from a field of nearly 1,000 actresses who turned out for an open casting call earlier this year. She’ll star opposite Harvey Fierstein, who appeared with Baillio on “Today.” Jennifer Hudson, Martin Short and Derek Hough are also on board.

Page 2 of 7«123 4 5...»Last »