First, we covered the success of NBC's first-ever live musical television event, The Sound of Music Live! Next up was Peter Pan Live! Now NBC has picked a third production to broadcast: The Wiz. Who will fill Diana Ross's shoes -- and incredible voice -- as Dorothy, or replicate Michael Jackson's fantastic dance moves as the Scarecrow? Variety also reports that The Wiz will be co-produced by Cirque du Soleil’s new stage theatrical division, and Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots) will...

Read More

More people saw The Sound of Music Live! on television at the holidays last year than went to a Broadway show in the entire year. The availability and, I suspect, the popularity of the show led some people in what I think of as the Theater Suicide Cult to find any way at all to criticize the production and snipe about the various qualities of the performers. Just imagine the fits they had when they heard that NBC is perpetrating...

Read More

Now that 2014 is underway, here’s what to expect more of this year. • Large-Scale, Real-Time Entertainment: Like NBC’s live performance of The Sound of Music. Blogger Deb Rox says, “Twitter has transformed everything from sporting events, awards shows, series final episodes and political debates into massive fan experiences, and audiences crave more.” She predicts we’ll see more of these events with more meaningful ways to participate. • Mockbusters: This is the second time in 10 minutes I’ve read about the made-for-TV...

Read More