Touchstone and ABC are also collaborating on the comedy. The new work will feature the actor playing a female, just as he does onstage in the current musical based on the John Waters film. The plan is to shoot the pilot in New York later this summer. No writer or cast has been named for the pilot. Fierstein is not currently scheduled to leave the Broadway show, according to a production spokesperson.

Fierstein, who will also co-executive produce the TV show, has three Tony Awards to his credit. Winning for Best Actor in 1983, the writer-performer also took home the Best Play prize for his work Torch Song Trilogy. The next year, he followed up his success with a Tony for book for the musical La Cage aux Folles. As an actor, Fierstein is known for his character roles in such films as "Mrs. Doubtfire," "Independence Day" and "Death to Smoochy."

Zadan and Meron, who gained much acclaim for executive producing the Academy Award-winning film "Chicago," are the team behind such television musical presentations as "Cinderella" starring pop singer Brandy Norwood, "Annie" starring stage celebs Audra McDonald and Victor Garber and recently "The Music Man" with Matthew Broderick and Kristin Chenowith. The duo previously worked with Fierstein on the Diana Ross-Brandy Norwood movie "Double Platinum" which also starred Christine Ebersole and Brian Stokes Mitchell.