Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, the producers of "Chicago" and "Hairspray" as well as NBC's musical series "Smash," have signed a development deal with Universal Television and NBC Universal International that will give the companies a first look at series and specials created by the pair for U.S. and international markets.
Universal Television produces "Smash," which will go into its second season after a shakeup that included the departure of series creator Theresa Rebeck.
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“Universal Television is thrilled to be continuing and expanding our partnership with Craig and Neil,” executive vice president Bela Bajaria said. “The incredible creativity, vision and intelligence that they bring to all their projects – on television, in film and on Broadway — is exactly what the future of Universal Television is all about. ‘Smash’ is only the beginning; we look forward to collaborating with them on many exciting projects going forward.”
"We are so excited to be reunited with our longtime collaborator, Bela Bajaria, and to be creating event television for Universal Television, our home for 'Smash' and the upcoming live broadcast of "The Sound of Music,'" Zadan and Meron added.
"The Sound of Music" is slated as a holiday special for NBC.