ABC president Channing Dungey revealed that plans for a live musical broadcast are currently “in development.” The news was announced ahead of the network’s May 17 upfront presentation in New York, according to EW.com.
Dungey also hinted that the musical will likely be from the Disney catalogue.
“This is a space that’s already become very crowded,” Dungey said, according to EW.com. “When we make our play in that space, we really want to make sure it’s the right project for us to be doing and one that really speaks to the heart of who we are at ABC and as a part of the Disney family.”
Disney has ushered numerous musicals to the stage including Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Tarzan, Mary Poppins, Newsies and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Up next is a stage adaptation of Frozen, which will premiere in 2017.
ABC previously announced that it was producing a television remake of Dirty Dancing starring Abigail Breslin, though it is not planned as a live event.
The network recently canceled the Alan Menken-Glenn Slater TV musical series Galavant after two seasons; however, composer Menken tweeted that the property would “live on in many ways,” likely a stage adaptation. He added, “Just like Newsies, our day will come.”
GALAVANT is not continuing at ABC. But it will live on in so many ways. Guaranteed. Love to our cast, our writers, our fans!! Stay tuned...
— Alan Menken (@AIMenken) May 12, 2016
