NBC has announced Hairspray will be the network’s next live musical. Network chief, Robert Greenblatt announced the news on Wednesday at the Television Critics Association tour in Pasadena.
“I’m happy to say that we are hopefully going to be produce a live new movie of Hairspray next December,” Greenblatt said. December’s live production of The Wiz was a success, ensuring the return of producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron will return for the project. More details are to come.
The production will follow NBC’s successful The Wiz Live!, 2013 hit A Sound of Music Live!. Ratings for 2014’s Peter Pan Live! were disappointing by comparison. The Wiz Live! was seen by 11.1 million viewers and delivered a 3.3 rating among adults 18–49 in overnight ratings. Peter Pan Live!, had 9.2 million viewers and a 2.4 rating. Sound of Music Live!, starring American Idol 4 winner Carrie Underwood was the most successful of all with about 19 million viewers and a 4.6 rating.
The first Hairspray film was written and directed by indie king, John Waters, and starred Ricki Lake, Debbie Harry and the late Divine. In 2002, Hairspray opened on Broadway as a musical, starring Glee’s Matthew Morrison, followed by a film in 2007, starring John Travolta and Michelle Pfeiffer.
Via EW
