As previously announced, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron — the producing team behind the Oscar-winning film of Chicago, the acclaimed movie of Hairspray and the recent TV film "A Raisin in the Sun" — will create a new version of Peter Pan for the small screen.
It's been a 15-year project for the producing duo, who first began their Peter Pan quest in 1993 following the triumph of the television production of Gypsy starring Bette Midler. Variety says it was Gypsy composer Jule Styne who originally suggested the idea of a TV Peter Pan.
The search for a director and subsequently a cast will now begin as the last rights issues with the various estates of the creators of Peter Pan have been resolved. Peter Pan will be a Sony Pictures Television Production.
The TV "Peter Pan" will likely begin filming by the end of the year, according to the trade paper.
Peter Pan, which is based on the play by James M. Barrie, has lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, music by Mark Charlap with additional music by Jule Styne and additional lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. It first played on Broadway in 1954 with Mary Martin in the title role. It returned for a long run in 1979 with Sandy Duncan as the boy who won't grow up. Revivals in 1990, 1991, 1998 and 1999 all starred Cathy Rigby. Martin's performance was captured on television in 1955.
