Craig Zadan News

A number of 'little birdies' are revealing that Tony Award-winning composing team Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman have written something special for The Tony Awards. And that same gaggle of gregarious geese have informed us to set our DVR's for the telecast possibly going past 11pm.

Variety reports that Universal Pictures has made a big-bucks 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 reunite with the 'Hairspray' team of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Shaiman and Wittman are in talks to write an original score for the musical.

Chace Crawford will undergo gruelling singing and dancing lessons before the cameras role on his remake of movie musical 'Footloose.' Paramount Pictures announced earlier this month that the 'Gossip Girl' star will play the lead role of Ren McCormack in the film 'Footloose,' which will be produced and directed by Kenny Ortega.

Perez Hilton has announced the exclusive news that Gossip Girl star Chace Crawford has been cast in the upcoming remake of Footloose. Pararmount Studio, which is producing the movie, confirmed the much rumored casting choice exclusively to PerezHilton.com

After a 48 year absence, Bye Bye Birdie will return to Broadway this fall presented by Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) in a production starring John Stamos (Albert Peterson), Gina Gershon (Rose Alvarez), Bill Irwin (Mr. Harry MacAfee) and Jayne Houdyshell (Mrs. Mae Peterson). Directed & choreographed by Robert Longbottom, Bye Bye Birdie has a book by Michael Stewart, lyrics by Lee Adams and music by Charles Strouse. Roundabout is proud to welcome back three artists who have previously worked at the theatrical institution: John Stamos, Gina Gershon and Bill Irwin.

After a 48 year absence, Bye Bye Birdie will return to Broadway this fall presented by Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) in a production starring John Stamos (Albert Peterson), Gina Gershon (Rose Alvarez), Bill Irwin (Mr. Harry MacAfee) and Jayne Houdyshell (Mrs. Mae Peterson). Directed & choreographed by Robert Longbottom, Bye Bye Birdie has a book by Michael Stewart, lyrics by Lee Adams and music by Charles Strouse. Roundabout is proud to welcome back three artists who have previously worked at the theatrical institution: John Stamos, Gina Gershon and Bill Irwin.

Variety is reporting that Amanda Bynes is set to star in the new ABC pilot 'Canned.' Bynes plays Sarabeth, a 'naive Midwesterner who's being exploited by her boss - and doesn't realize it'.

The Hollywood Reporter has announced that actor Skeet Ulrich has been cast as the lead of CBS' drama pilot 'Back', executive produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron.

Variety.com is reporting that New Line Cinema and the top notch producing team of Craig Zadan and Neil Meron have selected their next musical film project, a contemporized version of the classic musical Damn Yankees.

ABC's small screen version of the Broadway hit, A Raisin in the Sun, which starred Sean Combs, Saana Lathan, Audra McDonald, Phylicia Rashad, and Sean Patrick Thomas was named Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-series or Special at this evening's NAACP Image Awards, and Combs and Rashad also won Image awards for their performances in the highly acclaimed telemovie.

This year's new entries include Johnny Mathis, Perez Hilton, The New York Times' Ben Brantley, Idina Menzel, Eden Espinosa, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Betty Buckley, Carol Channing, Cynthia Nixon, Phyllis Diller, Florence Henderson, Marsha Mason, Laura Osnes, John Schneider, Adam Shankman, Frank Wildhorn, Jonathan Tunick, Paul Gemignani.

China.org is reporting that Oscar nominee Anne Hathaway is looking set to star in Hong Kong comedy filmmaker Stephen Chow's Hollywood debut.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is proud to announce the full cast for the upcoming New York premiere of Distracted, by Lisa Loomer, directed by Mark Brokaw. Distracted will begin previews on Saturday, February 7th and open officially on Wednesday, March 4th, 2009 at the Laura Pels Theatre in the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre (111 West 46th Street).

Variety is reporting that CBS has greenlit a trio of drama pilots, including one executive produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. 'Back,' from Zadan and Meron's Storyline Entertainment, centers on a man 'who disappeared in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks -- but who suddenly shows up, eight years later. Project follows the man as he reconnects with his family and adjusts to a world that has dramatically changed'.

Lifetime Television today announced the pick up of Drop Dead Diva, a spirited new comedic drama series that puts a uniquely compelling twist on the age-old battle between brains and beauty. Drop Dead Diva tells the story of a shallow model-in-training who dies in a sudden accident only to find her soul resurfacing in the body of a brilliant, thoughtful and plus-size attorney. Drop Dead Diva is produced by Sony Pictures Television and is set to premiere on Lifetime Television in the Summer 2009. 'I couldn't be more excited about Drop Dead Diva,' said JoAnn Alfano, Executive Vice President, Lifetime Networks. 'It's the type of show that truly enhances the Lifetime brand - the duality of emotionally compelling drama with an equal balance of humor.'

The Directors Guild of America announced the Guild's nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Television, Documentaries and Commercials for the year 2008. Kenny Leon, received a nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television/Miniseries nomination for the TV version of A Raisin in the Sun.

Film star Anne Hathaway will be a guest on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! Tonight Thursday January 8th. The show airs at 12:05am (EST) on ABC stations.

Tonight Wednesday January 7th, 2009 film star Anne Hathaway will be a guest on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno tonight, the program airs 11:30pm (EST) on NBC.

On Monday January 5th, 2009 film star Anne Hathaway will be dropping by 'Live With Regis and Kelly' to talk about her new movie 'Bride Wars'. The show begins at 9AM EST on ABC stations.

Variety is reporting that Hairspray and upcoming Bedtime Stories director Adam Shankman has signed on to direct two new projects, Bob the Musical at Disney and Sinbad at Sony