BWW Exclusive: Producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron - A Career in Pictures

Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are two of the most renowned producers working in the industry today. They are best known for their work on the past three Academy Awards ceremonies, The Sound of Music Live!, Peter Pan Live! and Smash. Their Broadway credits include Promises, Promises and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Film credits include Hairspray, Chicago, A Raisin in the Sun and Footloose. Upcoming projects include The Wiz Live!, the movie adaptation of Pippin and much more.

The pair chatted with Richard Ridge for an Exclusive Interview, available here and also shared photos from their personal collection and amazing careers. Check these special photos out below!

Angela Lansbury (SWEENEY TODD) hosts a book signing party for Craig Zadan's SONDHEIM & CO. In attendance were Alexis Smith (FOLLIES) and Glynis Johns (A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC).

Neil Meron looks on as Craig Zadan directs Joseph Papp in his singing debut at the Ballroom.

First casting session for GYPSY (Bette Midler version) -- Standing, L to R - Bonnie Bruckheimer, Bonnie Walker, Craig Zadan, Cindy Gilmore. Seated, L to R -- Jule Styne, Stephen Sondheim, Neil Meron, Arthur Laurents, Emile Ardolino.

Neil Meron, Emile Ardolino, Craig Zadan, Bonnie Bruckheimer, Bette Midler, Cindy Gilmore

CINDERELLA: Neil Meron, Brandy (as Cinderella) & Craig Zadan

CINDERELLA's executive producers: Craig Zadan, Whitney Houston, Debra Martin Chase & Neil Meron

Brandy as Cinderella in the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical.

Neil Meron, Natalie Desselle Reid, Debra Martin Chase, Bernadette Peters, Veanne Cox, Craig Zadan

The Hollywood Premiere of CINDERELLA: Brandy, Whitney Houston, Neil Meron, Debra Martin Chase, & Craig Zadan

Craig Zadan, Neil Meron, and the cast of ANNIE: Kristin Chenoweth, Alan Cumming,
Kathy Bates, Alicia Morton, Victor Garber, Audra McDonald

Judy Davis rehearses a musical sequence for LIFE WITH JUDY GARLAND.

The cast and producers of CHICAGO: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Neil Meron, Renee Zellweger, Richard Gere & Craig Zadan

THE MUSIC MAN: Neil Meron, Kristin Chenoweth, Matthew Broderick & Craig Zadan

Shooting two movies simultaneously in Toronto meant Craig Zadan & Neil Meron could spend time with both casts, like Kristin Chenoweth and Matthew Broderick from THE MUSIC MAN and Sean Hayes from MARTIN AND LEWIS (where he played Jerry Lewis).

TV's A RAISIN IN THE SUN: Craig Zadan, Audra McDonald, Sean Combs, Neil Meron, Phylicia Rashad, Sanaa Lathan, Justin Martin

Window display of SONDHEIM & CO, written by Craig Zadan.

CHICAGO producers Craig Zadan & Neil Meron with screenwriter Bill Condon and director/choreographer Rob Marshall.

On set for HAIRSPRAY: Craig Zadan, Nikki Blonsky & Neil Meron

HAIRSPRAY: Zac Efron, Craig Zadan & Neil Meron

HAIRSPRAY: Craig Zadan, John Travolta & Neil Meron

HAIRSPRAY: Neil Meron, Amanda Bynes, Zac Efron & Craig Zadan

HAIRSPRAY: Craig Zadan, Zac Efron, Neil Meron & James Marsden

HAIRSPRAY: Craig Zadan, Queen Latifah & Neil Meron

Los Angeles premiere of HAIRSPRAY: Craig Zadan, David E. Kelley, Michelle Pfeiffer & Neil Meron

HAIRSPRAY: Neil Meron, Christopher Walken, John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Craig Zadan, Nikki Blonsky & Queen Latifah

Craig Zadan, John Waters & Neil Meron in Baltimore -- actually, Toronto posing as Baltimore -- for HAIRSPRAY.

Ad for HAIRSPRAY as it reaches another milestone.

Ad supporting John Travolta's Golden Globe campaign for HAIRSPRAY.

PROMISES, PROMISES: Craig Zadan, Sean Hayes, Kristin Chenoweth, Rob Ashford & Neil Meron

Producers Craig Zadan & Neil Meron with the stars of their Broadway musicals, PROMISES, PROMISES' Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes, and HOW TO SUCCEED's Daniel Radcliffe.

HOW TO SUCCEED's narrator, Anderson Cooper, sees the show for the first time and visits backstage with Neil Meron, Daniel Radcliffe & Craig Zadan.

HOW TO SUCCEED REHEARSAL: Neil Meron, Darren Criss, Craig Zadan & Rob Ashford

HOW TO SUCCEED REHEARSAL: Craig Zadan, Nick Jonas & Neil Meron

Daniel Radcliffe presents Craig Zadan & Neil Meron with an award at the New York Musical Theatre Festival.

Times Square subway ad for SMASH.

SMASH NY Premiere party: Scott Wittman, Marc Shaiman, Anjelica Huston, Christian Borle, Debra Messing, Neil Meron & Craig Zadan

Hugh Jackman rehearses the 85th Oscars LES MISERABLES segment with Neil Meron & Craig Zadan.

On the set of A RAISIN IN THE SUN: director Kenny Leon with Craig Zadan & Neil Meron.

Oscars Governors Award winner Angela Lansbury with Neil Meron & Craig Zadan.

Producers Neil Meron & Craig Zadan welcome the audience at the Dolby Theatre, ten minutes before the Oscar broadcast.

Neil Meron & Craig Zadan give a last-minute reminder to Oscar nominees about acceptance speech time limits.

Backstage at the 86th Oscars live telecast: Craig Zadan and Neil Meron watch the show on the monitors while communicating with their team in the production truck.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE: Neil Meron & Craig Zadan with their Maria, Carrie Underwood.

At THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE after-party: Stephen Moyer, Audra McDonald, Rob Ashford, Bob Greenblatt, Neil Meron, Craig Zadan, Carrie Underwood, Laura Benanti

Neil Meron, Craig Zadan and PETER PAN LIVE's Allison Williams

Craig Zadan & Neil Meron with 85th Oscars host Seth MacFarlane

Craig Zadan & Neil Meron with 86th Oscars host Ellen Degeneres

Craig Zadan & Neil Meron with 87th Oscars host Neil Patrick Harris

Craig Zadan & Neil Meron walk the red carpet prior to the 85th Oscars telecast.

Neil Meron & Craig Zadan backstage at the 85th Oscars.

Craig Zadan & Neil Meron backstage at the Oscars, rehearsing with Best Picture Presenter Jack Nicholson.

P!nk celebrates the 75th Anniversary of THE WIZARD OF OZ.

P!nk sings "Over the Rainbow" as a tribute to THE WIZARD OF OZ.

Photographers capture Craig Zadan & Neil Meron with Dame Shirley Bassey as she rehearses "Goldfinger."

Craig Zadan, Pharrell & Neil Meron at the Oscar Nominees Luncheon.

Inside the Dolby Theatre, Neil Meron & Craig Zadan attend Oscar rehearsals with Jamie Foxx and Brad Pitt.

Craig Zadan, Daniel Radcliffe & Neil Meron outside the Governors Ball, post-Oscars telecast.

Oscar night at the Dolby Theatre: Craig Zadan & Neil Meron with production designer Derek McLane and stager/choreographer Rob Ashford.

Backstage during the 86th Oscars telecast: John Travolta, Neil Meron, Idina Menzel & Craig Zadan

Neil Meron & Craig Zadan backstage during the Oscars telecast.

Music rehearsal: Craig Zadan, Lady Gaga, music director Stephen Oremus & Neil Meron

SOUND OF MUSIC tribute onstage rehearsal: Neil Meron, Lady Gaga & Craig Zadan

Oprah, Craig Zadan & Neil Meron discuss musical staging of SELMA's nominated song, "Glory."

Craig Zadan & Neil Meron, post-86th Oscars telecast at the Governors Ball.

Oscar rehearsal with Sidney Poitier, Neil Meron & Craig Zadan.

Co-presenters Angelina Jolie & Sidney Poitier with Craig Zadan & Neil Meron.

Neil Meron & Craig Zadan at a private rehearsal for Julie Andrews' special Oscars appearance.

Lady Gaga performs a SOUND OF MUSIC medley celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the acclaimed motion picture.

Julie Andrews surprises the audience with an unannounced appearance at the conclusion of Lady Gaga's SOUND OF MUSIC tribute.

First card, end credits -- 86th Oscars.

For more news and behind-the-scenes photos, follow Craig Zadan on Twitter at @craigzadan and Instagram (craigzadan) and Neil Meron on Twitter at @neilmeron and Instagram (neilmeron).