NBC Live Musicals

[TravisOKC]

I would love for them to take on Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and have OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder play Willy!

[nasty_khakis]

I think they've realized it needs to be a big name for FAMILIES show-wise with a big main stream name attached. It was smart of them to cancel Hair and I expect they're still working on getting the J Lo Birdie off the ground. I expect it or another Sound of Music "wholesome family show" to be next. I wonder if they could ever get the rights to do a live Wizard of Oz (even though they've done The Wiz)? That's the only musical I think think of off-hand that has a multi-generational name and appeal that could guarantee ratings they need to keep them going.

[Valentina3]

They could just throw the towel and do Mamma Mia. God knows people would love to see that.

[nasty_khakis]

Omg Mamma Mia! Why did I blank on that one. You could get potentially get any number of BIG older pop or country or R&B divas for Donna. It is a Universal property so might actually be on a list for NBC.

[quizking101]

nasty_khakis said: "Omg Mamma Mia! Why did I blank on that one. You could get potentially get any number of BIG older pop or country or R&B divas for Donna. It is a Universal property so might actually be on a list for NBC."

Honestly wish some of the Hollywood Bowl cast did this.

- Jennifer Nettles as Donna

- Dover Cameron as Sophie

- Tisha Campbell Martin as Tanya

- Lea DeLaria as Rosie

- Corbin Bleu as Sky

 

[CATSNYrevival]

The Wizard of Oz would be wonderful. If they could stick to the script and just stage the RSC version as written it could be a lot of fun. So far the ones that were heavily revised like Peter Pan and The Wiz were less successful for me. The stage version is nice because we get some more songs in the last third of the show that were all cut from the movie. I'd love a filmed version of Oz with "The Jitterbug" and Dorothy's "Over the Rainbow" reprise. It's such a shame the original film footage doesn't exist anymore but the audio that does exist is fascinating.

[NOWaWarning]

The producers said they wanted to do Mamma Mia the year they ended up doing Hairspray, but the rights were tied up with the sequel.

I think they’re done with these for now. There are only so many shows with the kind of broad appeal and recognition they need.

[GavestonPS]

CATSNYrevival said: "The Wizard of Oz would be wonderful. If they could stick to the script and just stage the RSC version as written it could be a lot of fun. So far the ones that were heavily revised like Peter Pan and The Wiz were less successful for me.The stage version is nice because we get some more songs in the last third of the show that were all cut from the movie.I'd love a filmed version of Oz with "The Jitterbug" and Dorothy's "Over the Rainbow" reprise. It's such a shame the originalfilm footage doesn't exist anymore but the audio that does exist is fascinating."

Are you sure? I would swear I'd seen "Jitterbug" on YouTube five to ten years ago. It may have been silent footage, but a sharp arranger could match the movements to the music.

[BwayLB]

I want White Christmas Live

[BrodyFosse123]

Are you sure? I would swear I'd seen "Jitterbug" on YouTube five to ten years ago. It may have been silent footage, but a sharp arranger could match the movements to the music.

What you saw on YouTube (and on countless home video releases) is the truncated silent color home movie footage shot from the rafters by the film’s composer Harold Arlen.  The song was pre-recorded in studio so the track does survive and was used on the silent truncated footage to match-sync it.  

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

The original MGM motion picture is owned by Turner Entertainment Co., which in turn is owned by Warner Bros. Pictures Group, a subdivision of Warner Bros., a subsidiary of Warner Media LLC.

In other words, it's possible, as they do with Warner Bros. made content for television, that they may license any putative live musical of Oz to other networks for broadcast, if not development and production; however, highly unlikely when they could decide to compete themselves and put it on one of their own networks, like...

...oh jeez, The CW is all they have over here? And a 50/50 with CBS at that. Well, look forward to three of the guys from Whose Line playing the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion, I guess...

[CATSNYrevival]

BrodyFosse123 said: "Are you sure? I would swear I'd seen "Jitterbug" on YouTube five to ten years ago. It may have been silent footage, but a sharp arranger could match the movements to the music.

What you saw on YouTube (and on countless home video releases) isthe truncated silent color home movie footage shot from the rafters by the film’s composer Harold Arlen. The song was pre-recorded in studio so the track does survive and was used on the silent truncated footage to match-sync it."

Brody is correct. The actual film footage of "The Jitterbug," the "Over the Rainbow" reprise and a musical sequence for the return to Emerald City, "Ding Dong Emerald City" were all filmed, and as far as I know, they were seen by test audiences at the first preview and then later cut from the film. The Scarecrow's extended dance sequence did survive and can still be viewed today, and a short clip of the "Ding Dong Emerald City" musical number can be seen in early promotional footage, but as far as anyone knows the actual film footage of these songs has either been misplaced or destroyed.

[Adam Chris]

If they want to build up their TV Musical brand by going 'family friendly' they could do Joseph/Dreamcoat and You're a Good Man Charlie Brown.  I agree with the Mamma Mia option.

[CATSNYrevival]

Joseph would be fun too.