January 26, 2009 3:26 EST
Michael Jackson will help develop his groundbreaking "Thriller" video into a musical theater production, producers said today (Jan. 26).
The theater production will recreate the tale of the 14-minute horror film spoof based on the title song. In the video, a young couple are on a date when the boy -- played by Jackson -- becomes a werewolf.
"This musical will be the exclusive Michael Jackson authorized version of 'Thriller' and Jackson will participate in every aspect of the creative process," said the Nederlander Organization, which has acquired the rights to the musical.
"Thriller The Musical" will include songs from the 1982 album "Thriller" and its 1979 predecessor, "Off the Wall."
The "Thriller" video, featuring dancing zombies and horror film star Vincent Price, was first aired in 1983 and became a staple of MTV. It was directed by filmmaker John Landis, who said it cost $500,000 -- about 10 times the cost of the standard music video of the time.
Jackson's spokesman, Dr. Tohme Tohme, said in the Nederlander Organization statement, "The Nederlanders and Michael Jackson represent live theater and musical excellence, so let the music begin."
COPYRIGHT: (c) Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.
The theater production will recreate the tale of the 14-minute horror film spoof based on the title song. In the video, a young couple are on a date when the boy -- played by Jackson -- becomes a werewolf.
"This musical will be the exclusive Michael Jackson authorized version of 'Thriller' and Jackson will participate in every aspect of the creative process," said the Nederlander Organization, which has acquired the rights to the musical.
"Thriller The Musical" will include songs from the 1982 album "Thriller" and its 1979 predecessor, "Off the Wall."
The "Thriller" video, featuring dancing zombies and horror film star Vincent Price, was first aired in 1983 and became a staple of MTV. It was directed by filmmaker John Landis, who said it cost $500,000 -- about 10 times the cost of the standard music video of the time.
Jackson's spokesman, Dr. Tohme Tohme, said in the Nederlander Organization statement, "The Nederlanders and Michael Jackson represent live theater and musical excellence, so let the music begin."
COPYRIGHT: (c) Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.
Up for Discussion