NBC to Broadcast Live Production of THE MUSIC MAN!

According to The Hollywood Reporter, NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt has announced at this morning's upfront presentation that the network has inked a deal for a live television production of the classic 1957 musical THE MUSIC MAN.

While the exec did not give a specific date for the live broadcast, he did confirm that it will follow the network's previously announced live broadcast of Peter Pan, set for December 4th. No casting announcements for that production have been revealed.

Last year, NBC aired its first live musical event, The Sound of Music, starring Carrie Underwood. To the surprise of many, the broadcast delivered 19 million viewers. "Many of you were rolling your eyes up until the morning of Dec. 6, 2013, when the ratings came in," joked Greenblatt. Referring to FOX's recent announcement that they will air a live broadcast of 'Grease,' the network head commented, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

With book, music, and lyrics by Meredith Willson, THE MUSIC MAN is based on a story by Willson and Franklin Lacey. The plot concernscon man Harold Hill, who poses as a boys' band organizer and leader and sells band instruments and uniforms to the naive Iowa townsfolk, promising to train the members of the new band. But Harold is no musician and plans to skip town without giving any music lessons. Prim librarian and piano teacher Marian sees through him, but when Harold helps her younger brother overcome his lisp and social awkwardness, Marian begins to fall in love. Harold risks being caught to win her.

In 1957, the show became a hit on Broadway, winning five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and running for 1,375 performances. The cast album won the first Grammy Award for "Best Original Cast Album" and was number one on the Billboard charts for 245 weeks. The show's success led to revivals and a popular 1962 film adaptation and a 2003 television remake. It is frequently produced by both professional and amateur theater companies.