More Broadway for NBCUniversal - Jimmy Horowitz Will Continue to Expand Stage Division

NBCUniversal today announced that the company is realigning its live stage division under Robert Greenblatt, Chairman of NBC Entertainment. Universal Stage Productions (USP), which will continue to be led by Universal Pictures President Jimmy Horowitz, will expand its focus to include all of NBCUniversal properties.

"Starting with the enormous success of 'Wicked,' Jimmy has built a thriving live stage business and I'm looking forward to working together to grow the business," said Greenblatt. "Broadway and the touring business are very robust right now, and while a blockbuster like 'Wicked' doesn't come along every day, I'm eager to extend more of our filmed entertainment to the stage as well as branch out into original ideas."

Greenblatt has been involved in several stage ventures including as lead producer of "9 to 5: The Musical," which has a score written by Dolly Parton; it starred Allison Janney on Broadway in 2009. Currently he is a producer of this year's Tony-winning Best Musical, "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder," which was also named Best Musical by critics from the Drama Desk, the Outer Critics Circle, and the Drama League.

He is also in partnership with the Denver Center Theatre Company on the production of a brand new revised version of Meredith Willson's "The Unsinkable Molly Brown." Also, this season's holiday musical on NBC is "Peter Pan Live!" starring Christopher Walken as Captain Hook and Allison Williams as Peter. It will air Dec. 4.

"Bob and I share a great love for the theater and with his brilliant creative mind and producing expertise, I know together we can further grow our live stage division in a way that takes advantage of our vast library of intellectual properties and talent across our company," said Horowitz. "Adding oversight of USP to Bob's portfolio makes perfect sense and I'm thrilled to be partnering with him."

Added Jeff Shell, Chairman of Universal Filmed Entertainment, "Bob's great creative instincts and Jimmy's expertise in the live stage production business will make a powerful combination in leading NBCUniversal's growing live stage business."

Launched in 2003, Universal Stage Productions (USP) has produced 10 Broadway shows that have received a total of 52 Tony nominations and 15 wins. USP's record-breaking musical phenomenon "Wicked" will soon celebrate its 11th smash-hit year on Broadway. With its two national tours and multiple international productions, "Wicked" has been seen by more than 42 million people worldwide, making it one of the most successful theatrical ventures of all time. In 2008, the critically acclaimed musical adaptation of "Billy Elliot" from USP and Working Title opened on Broadway and went on to win 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. "Billy Elliot" will soon celebrate its 10th year on London's West End and a U.K. tour will launch in 2016.

Recently, USP produced the Tony-nominated Broadway production of "Bring It On: The Musical" and the acclaimed revival of the Gershwins' "Porgy and Bess," winner of the 2012 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. Additional credits include the blockbuster revival of "Glengarry Glen Ross" starring Al Pacino and the star-studded Broadway production of Gore Vidal's "The Best Man." Upcoming USP productions that will continue to be overseen by Chris Herzberger, Universal's Executive of Live Theatricals, include Irving Berlin's "Holiday Inn," opening Oct. 15, 2014 at the Goodspeed Opera House, a musical adaptation of Universal Pictures' "October Sky" set to premiere in Chicago in 2015 at the Marriott Theatre, and the acclaimed Broadway revival of "Side Show" directed by Academy Award-winner Bill Condon, opening Nov. 17, 2014 at the St. James Theatre.