MICHAEL JACKSON - JACKSON TO COLLABORATE ON THRILLER MUSICAL

JACKSON TO COLLABORATE ON THRILLER MUSICAL

MICHAEL JACKSON will participate in "every aspect of the creative process" in the new Broadway-length musical inspired by his zombie-themed music video THRILLER. Theatre impresario James Nederlander revealed in November (08) plans to bring the 14-minute short to Broadway as an ambitious new stage show, and his Nederlander Organization has now completed its purchase of the video's stage rights.
According to the New York Post, Jackson will write new songs for the project, which will also include tunes from 1979 album Off the Wall.
Producers add: "This musical will be the exclusive Michael Jackson authorised version of Thriller, and Jackson will participate in every aspect of the creative process."
And James Nederlander Jr. is certain Jackson's reclusive behaviour won't effect Thriller The Musical's popularity: "It's an American Werewolf in London meets Cyrano. Thriller is still Thriller. I understand what you're saying (about Jackson), but I still think Thriller evokes great memories for people who still want to hear those songs."
Jackson's spokesman, Tohme Tohme adds: "The Nederlanders and Michael Jackson represent live theater and musical excellence, so let the music begin."
Nederlander previously worked on Jackson tribute show Thriller - Live, which has already toured Germany, Holland, Scandinavia and the U.K., in which the star was not involved.
The project is expected to complete development by 2011 with a reported production budget of $12 million (£8.6 million).