NBCUniversal announced Oct. 7 that the company is realigning its live stage division under Greenblatt. Universal Stage Productions (USP), which will continue to be led by Horowitz, will expand its focus to include all of NBCUniversal properties.
"Starting with the enormous success of Wicked, Jimmy has built a thriving live stage business and I'm looking forward to working together to grow the business," said Greenblatt in a statement. "Broadway and the touring business are very robust right now, and while a blockbuster like Wicked doesn't come along every day, I'm eager to extend more of our filmed entertainment to the stage as well as branch out into original ideas."
Greenblatt, a producer of the Tony-winning musical A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, has been involved in several stage ventures, including as lead producer of 9 to 5. He is also in partnership with the Denver Center Theatre Company on the production of Meredith Willson's The Unsinkable Molly Brown as well as NBC's Peter Pan Live!
"Bob and I share a great love for the theatre and with his brilliant creative mind and producing expertise, I know together we can further grow our live stage division in a way that takes advantage of our vast library of intellectual properties and talent across our company," added Horowitz. "Adding oversight of USP to Bob's portfolio makes perfect sense and I'm thrilled to be partnering with him."
Jeff Shell, chairman of Universal Filmed Entertainment, said, "Bob's great creative instincts and Jimmy's expertise in the live stage production business will make a powerful combination in leading NBCUniversal's growing live stage business." Launched in 2003, Universal Stage Productions (USP) has produced 10 Broadway shows that have received a total of 52 Tony nominations and 15 wins. USP's Wicked will soon celebrate its 11th year on Broadway. Recently, USP produced the Tony-nominated Broadway production of Bring It On: The Musical and the revival of The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, winner of the 2012 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.
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