A live musical production of the 1983 classic film A Christmas Story is on the way from Fox Broadcasting Company and Warner Horizon Unscripted Television. The three-hour A Christmas Story musical will air this December on FOX. Marc Platt (Grease: LIVE, La La Land) will executive produce the event, which is inspired by both the film and the Tony Award-nominated A Christmas Story: The Musical. Tony Award nominees Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dear Evan Hansen) are on board to write several new songs for the musical. Jonathan Tolins and Robert Cary (Grease: LIVE) will adapt the book.
“‘A Christmas Story’ is one of the most beloved holiday films of all time – audiences have made a yearly ritual of re-watching it – and we are so thrilled to have Marc leading the charge in bringing the musical version of that film to television,” said David Madden, President, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “The extraordinarily gifted Pasek and Paul were instrumental in transposing the movie to the stage, and we believe the transition to LIVE television event will be just as entertaining for viewers.”
“I can’t believe how incredibly lucky we are to have Marc Platt producing this iconic Christmas classic,” said Mike Darnell, President, Warner Bros. Unscripted & Alternative Television. “Marc is the defining voice in this genre and it’s amazing to have this caliber of talent leading what is sure to be a new standard in live musical events.”
The musical was nominated for Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Original Score (Pasek and Paul) and Best Book of a Musical and premiered for a limited engagement in 2012. A Christmas Story was released in 1983 and stars Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon and Darren McGavin.
How do you guys feel about a live A Christmas Story musical? Did you get a chance to see the musical when it was playing? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or tweet us @ComingSoonnet.
