John Ridley will write and direct Showtime’s upcoming musical drama that is being executive produced by Alicia Keys.
Keys will executive produce an untitled musical drama series, along with the Oscar and Tony-winning team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.
“Having worked with John Ridley many times over the years, I know firsthand how talented and fearless he is both as a writer and director,” said Gary Levine, President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks. “Combining his dramatic depth with the musical brilliance of Pasek and Paul and Alicia Keys promises a wildly original and entertaining series for Showtime.”
According to the network, the series “traverses generations to tell an emotionally complex family story that interweaves modern-day and 1959 Detroit, centering on a mystery uncovered by a young musician who moves back to her childhood home.” Pasek and Paul will contribute music to the series as well. Other executive producers include Kyle Jarrow (“The SpongeBob Musical”) who will also write, Marc Platt (“Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert,” “La La Land”), R.J. Cutler (“Nashville,” “American High”), and Adam Siegel (“Grease: Live!”). Fox 21 Television Studios will produce.
“I couldn’t be more excited to work not only again with Gary and Showtime, but to also collaborate with the phenomenal talents of Alicia Keys, the team of Pasek and Paul, Marc Platt, and R.J. and Adam as well,” said Ridley. “I’m especially grateful for the opportunity to set the series in Milwaukee, and examine the challenges and triumphs of my hometown; a city to which I remain deeply connected.”