Rebeck to Pen Showtime and Spielberg's Broadway Based T.V. Series; Shaiman & Wittman to Compose, Zadan & Meron Produce

As previous reported, Oscar winning producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron will produce a new project created by Hairspray's Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman in collaboration with Showtime and Steven Spielberg to "put on a show about putting on a Broadway show."

Shaiman and Wittman will write the original score for the musical project, while Broadway scribe, Theresa Rebeck (The Scene, The Understudy) will pen the script. 

DreamWorks TV and Showtime are currently developing the scripted series that will chronicle the development of an original Broadway musical, from its very first creative inception right up to its opening night. The intention is to then to bow the musical on the Broadway stage after the series airs.

Executive Producers are DreamWorks' Steven Spielberg, Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank, Craig Zadan, Neil Meron, and Theresa Rebeck.

Together, Zadan and Meron produced the blockbuster Hairspray and the critically acclaimed Chicago, which was the first musical in 34 years to win the top honor of Best Picture Oscar at the 2002 Academy Awards. They are currently part of the producing team behind the revival of Promises, Promises starring Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes, opening at the Broadway Theatre this spring. 

Universal Pictures has also made a deal to acquire an untitled Mattel toy property for a live-action musical film to be produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. The duo will again team with Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Shaiman and Wittman are in talks to write an original score for the musical.

 Shaiman and Wittman recently  presented their musical adaptation  of "Catch Me if You Can." Adapted  from the screenplay by Jeff  Nathanson and the book written by  Frank Abagnale Jr. and Stan  Redding, the original musical boasts  a book by four-time Tony Award-  winner Terrence McNally, who  joined forces with the collaborative  team behind the hit musical  Hairspray, including five-time Tony  Award-winning director Jack  O'Brien, Tony Award-winning  choreographer Jerry Mitchell, and    Tony Award-winningcomposing team Marc Shaiman (music & lyrics)  and Scott Wittman (lyrics). The show had a limited three-week  engagement at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre from July 23 - August  16, 2009. It is expected to bow on Broadway next season.

Rebeck's additional theater credits include Mauritus and Bad Dates. For television and film, Rebeck's producer-writer credits include stints with NYPD Blue, Law and Order: Criminal Intent, Harriet the Spy and Gossip.

Zadan and Meron Photo Credit: Sarah DeBoer/Retna Ltd.
Shaiman and Wittman Photo Credit: Linda Lenzi