NBC Hopes for Live ‘Hairspray’ Musical in December
TCA 2016: Deals aren’t closed yet, however
Tony Maglio | January 13, 2016 @ 9:23 AM
Last Updated: January 13, 2016 @ 10:12 AM
Charley Gallay/Getty Images
Good morning, Baltimore: NBC’s Bob Greenblatt expects his next big December musical to be a live adaptation of “Hairspray.”
That said, the boss stressed that the deals are not yet closed, but he seemed pretty confident. Should this come to fruition, which feels likely solely based on Greenblatt’s apparent off-script oversharing, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron will executive produce. Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman wrote the music and lyrics.
The announcement was made Wednesday morning at NBC’s Television Critics Association press junket.
“Hairspray” takes place in 1960s Baltimore and follows dance-loving teen Tracy Turnblad, who auditions for a spot on “The Corny Collins Show” — and wins. Turnblad becomes an overnight celebrity, a trendsetter in dance, fun and fashion.
“The Wiz Live!” was a big hit for NBC in December 2015. A year earlier, “Peter Pan Live!” did fine but not excellent. In 2013, when this whole thing started, “The Sound of Music Live!” was a legitimate smashing success.
Other networks are now jumping on the bandwagon, most notably Fox, which is preparing to dip its toe in the water with “Grease: Live.”
17 Top-Grossing Broadway Musicals of All Time, From 'Hamilton' to 'The Lion King' (Photos)
A ranked list of the biggest hits on the Great White Way, as of March 8, 2020 (according to The Broadway League)
17. "Rent" (original production) Opened: April 29, 1996 Closed: Sept. 7, 2008 Gross: $274.2 million
16. "The Producers" Opened: April 19, 2001 Closed: April 22, 2007 Gross: $288.4 million
15. "Mary Poppins" Opened: Nov. 16, 2006 Closed: March 3, 2013 Gross: $294.6 million
14. "Miss Saigon" (original production) Opened: April 11, 1991 Closed: Jan. 28, 2001 Gross: $298.7 million
13. "Kinky Boots" Opened: April 4, 2013 Closed: April 7, 2019 Gross to date: $319.0 million
12. "Les Misérables" (original production) Opened: March 12, 1987 Closed: May 18, 2003 Gross: $406.3 million
