'Hairspray' producers Zadan, Meron to run Oscars

[August 24, 2012]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The producing team that helped to create such musicals as "Chicago" and "Hairspray" is overseeing the next Academy Awards ceremony.

Academy management announced Thursday that Craig Zadan and Neil Meron will produce the 85th annual Oscars that will air live Feb. 24 on ABC.

Zadan and Meron were executive producers on 2002's "Chicago," which won six Oscars including best picture. They also were producers on the 2007 hits "Hairspray" and "The Bucket List" and last year's remake of "Footloose." Zadan also produced the 1984 original "Footloose."

Among Zadan and Meron's TV credits are the series "Smash," `'A Raisin in the Sun" and the upcoming "Steel Magnolias."

On Broadway, Zadan and Meron's work includes Tony Award-winning revivals of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" and "Promises, Promises."

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.