NBC is preparing to launch its version of "theatre idol"... a new reality show aimed at finding the next Danny Zuko and Sandy Dumbroski for a Broadway revival production of the hit musical
Grease.
You're The One That I Want is hoping to repeat the success of the BBC tv show,
How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, which aimed to find an actress to star in Andrew Lloyd Webber's revival of
The Sound of Music.
The tv talent search proved popular with UK viewers, with newcomer Connie Fisher now starring as the nun-turned-nanny Maria von Trapp, in the smash-hit musical revival at the London Palladium.
The
Grease talent search will be hosted by
Access Hollywood's Billy Bush, and UK TV host and actress Denise Van Outen. The judges are Producer David Ian (also part of the UK tv show, and co-producer of the West End production),
Grease co-creator Jim Jacobs, and theatre Director & Choreographer Kathleen Marshall.
The show is being described as "the biggest casting call in Broadway history", with judges and the American public looking for actors who can sing, dance, and act the iconic roles of Danny and Sandy... with the prize being a couple of contracts on Broadway.
The Grease
You're The One That I Want tv show starts on NBC on January 7th in the United States (no word yet on whether it'll screen elsewhere). The production of Grease itself is set to open on Broadway this June.
Check out the sneak preview below...
* NBC.com - Grease: You're The One That I Want3rd Jan - Update: Two more Reality Theatre shows for the UK... Producer David Ian will also team up with
X Factor judge Simon Cowell for a British version of the
Grease tv search, for a new West End production of the musical. The show will screen on ITV1, with the revival hitting the London stage in Summer 2007.
Meanwhile, Andrew Lloyd Webber is to cast the leads for a West End revival of his musical
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (written with Tim Rice) via a new BBC1 reality TV show. Graham Norton, who hosted
How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria, will return for this show.
* Whatsonstage.com: Reality TV Stars Wanted for Grease & Dreamcoat