The project, once known by its working title of "Redhead," will play May 4 at 8-11PM (ET). Check your local listings. Craig Zadan and Neil Meron ("Chicago") are executive producers on the three-hour CBS drama which a release describes as "an inside, little-known account of the celebrated, complex, passionate and tumultuous relationship between Lucille Ball (York) and Desi Arnaz (Pino)." The real-life couple entertained American audiences with their mix of love and comedy on their series "I Love Lucy" but off camera, their relationship was said to have been much less comedic. "Backstage battles, oversized egos, infidelity and the demands of phenomenal success undermined what was once a storybook romance."
York has been seen on the Broadway stage in The Scarlet Pimpernel, Victor/Victoria, City of Angels, Les Misérables as well as the national tour of Kiss Me, Kate. Pino was featured as Claudio in the Mary Zimmerman-helmed New York Shakespeare Festival/Public Theater production of Measure for Measure starring Billy Crudup.
In "Lucy," stage actress LaChanze will also star as Ball's housekeeper Harriett who was a former dancer. Her credits include Ragtime, Company, Once On This Island and The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin.
Meron and Zadan's Storyline Entertainment executive produce the TV work in association with Sony Pictures Television and Glenn Jordan who also directs. Jacobus Rose and Dave Mace are co-executive producer and producer, respectively. Katie Ford ("Miss Congeniality") and T.S. Cook ("China Syndrome") penned the script.