Craig Zadan

We have a particular philosophy in the casting room that we don't really tell the actors - the actors tell us. ”

In the past, once a movie musical was made, it was believed that you were left with that version, good or bad, for posterity. ”

I think maybe the most important thing that we have to say is that people don't often talk about network executives being brave. You don't talk about them as having integrity and a higher purpose, because it's a job... except for Bob Greenblatt. He is a theatre person. He loves and understands it. ”

People think, 'Oh, you're doing 'The Wiz' because 'Empire' is such a big hit.' The truth is, staging this musical has been a dream of ours since the '90s, but the rights were tied up. It's just coincidental that, this year, when we were choosing a new musical, the rights were cleared. ”

It rests in the hands of 'Dreamgirls' and 'Hairspray.' If they're successful, we'll be back on track - people will continue to greenlight musicals. If they don't work, then you're going to see everyone go back to the way it was before 'Chicago.' ”

To battle the odds - loss of interest, no funding, discouragement - requires someone who doesn't give up. ”

It is very, very important that people understand that you can tell different kinds of stories, and they do, related to gay and lesbian issues - especially when you know the people behind them. ”

I don't think we're going to break the law in terms of what you can or can't do on TV. We're looking to do something edgy, different, and special. ”

I would say that, first of all, if you have the honor of being chosen to produce the Oscars, you usually get only one crack at it. We were the first people in sixteen years to do it three times in a row, and it was one of the most profound experiences you could ever imagine. ”

We couldn't even contemplate doing 'Hairspray' without a live audience. ”