Andrew Lloyd Webber and British talk-show host Graham Norton lead the search, and are joined by stage and screen stars John Barrowman and Denise Van Outen, and producer Cameron Mackintosh. Barry Humphries (a.k.a. Dame Edna Everage), who has appeared in several productions of Oliver! in London and on Broadway, will also take part.
The series follows the popular "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" and "Any Dream Will Do," which searched for stars for London revivals of The Sound of Music and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and were both also hosted by Lloyd Webber and Norton.
The actress who gets to play Nancy will be selected from 12 finalists, after 100 selected from nationwide U.K. auditions to perform for the television panel are whittled down to 40, who then go to "Nancy School" to hone their singing, acting, dancing and improvisational skills. The semi-final 40 must perform a pop song and a contrasting song from Nancy's tunestack in Oliver!
The 12 finalists for the role of Oliver will be selected from 50 boys between the ages of nine and 14 who will go through similar schooling before they perform for Lloyd Webber and Mackintosh.
Nancys will be whittled down in part by a national vote each week, while Oliver hopefuls must rely solely on the judges' favor.
The production of Oliver! that followed this reality show is currently running at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London's West End. The production premiered shortly after the series ended its U.K. run in June 2008.
"I'd Do Anything" will air Wednesdays at 9 PM through Jan. 5, 2011, on BBC America. The series aired in the U.K. many months ago. The BBC America channel is betting U.S. viewers don't know the outcome.
