All the girls at the trades are buzzing about Jennifer Lopez partnering with Skydance and Concord to develop original TV series and films based on Concord’s catalog of musicals — and that includes a whole lotta Rodgers & Hammerstein.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the deal allows Lopez the option to star in at least one the projects. The deal with Skydance and Lopez and Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas’ Nuyorican Productions banner. This expands the deal with Concord includes a modern-day TV adaptation on Rodgers & Hammerstein’s classic musical Oklahoma.
Of course, Lopez is known for her musical chops dating all the way back to Selena and even her stint as a Fly Girl on In Living Color. Also, don’t sleep on her iconic first album On The 6. Broadway-wise, she was supposed to star in NBC’s live production of Bye Bye Birdie in 2017 — but that didn’t happen, unfortunately.
“Musicals were a part of the tapestry of my childhood,” Lopez said in a statement to media. “We’re so excited to begin our association with Skydance and Concord in reinterpreting some of the most classic musicals and bringing them to life in new ways for a new generation.”
Lopez, partners Goldsmith-Thomas and Benny Medina will executive produce all projects stemming from the deal for Nuyorican Productions. Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Bost will oversee for the company, with Sophia Dilley of Concord’s film and TV division overseeing alongside Concord CEO Scott Pascucci.
For those of you who don’t know about Concord, it t develops, manages and acquires sound recordings, music publishing and theatrical performance rights. Its film and TV banner adapts projects for the screen for the parent company. Concord’s theatricals arm has licenses to many iconic Broadway musicals including Wizard of Oz, A Chorus Line, Hello Dolly, Dreamgirls, Hair, Gypsy and the aforementioned Bye Bye Birdie. Concord is also a co-producer on Alanis Morrissette’s current musical Jagged Little Pill.
