RIALTO CHATTER: Shaiman and Wittman Pen Tune For Tony Award Telecast
By: Eddie Varley Jun. 06, 2009
A number of "little birdies" are revealing that Tony Award-winning composing team Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman have written something special for The Tony Awards. And that same gaggle of gregarious geese have informed us to set our DVR's for the telecast possibly going past 11pm. That is all the information that the informants whispered to us because they were still writing - oops - we mean flying around town!
Variety reported earlier this week that Universal Pictures has made a deal to acquire an untitled Mattel toy property for a live-action musical film to be produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. The duo will reunite with the "Hairspray" team of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Shaiman and Wittman are in talks to write an original score for the musical.
Shaiman and Wittman are about to begin rehearsals for their upcoming musical adaptation of "Catch Me if You Can." Adapted from the screenplay by Jeff Nathanson and the book written by Frank Abagnale Jr. and Stan Redding, the original musical boasts a book by four-time Tony Award-winner Terrence McNally, who joins forces with the collaborative team behind the hit musical Hairspray, including five-time Tony Award-winning director Jack O'Brien, Tony Award-winning choreographer Jerry Mitchell, and Tony Award-winning composing team Marc Shaiman (music & lyrics) and Scott Wittman (lyrics).
The show will have a limited three-week engagement at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre from July 23 - August 16, 2009.
The Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards are bestowed annually on theatre professionals for distinguished achievement. The Tony is one of the most coveted awards in the entertainment industry and the annual telecast is considered one of the most prestigious programs on television.
The American Theatre Wing's 63rd Annual Antoinette Perry "Tony"® Awards will be broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 7, 2009 (8-11pm, live EST, PT time delay) on the CBS Television Network.
For more information visit tonyawards.com.
Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.
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