LINDA WERTHEIMER, host:
If that makes you long for the bygone era of music videos when Blondie, Madonna and Duran Duran ruled MTV, do we have some good news for you. One of the biggest names on Broadway, the Nederlander Organization, announced yesterday it has acquired the rights to make a musical based on the Michael Jackson music video "Thriller."
(Soundbite of song "Thriller" by Michael Jackson)
WERTHEIMER: Nederlander is fresh off the success of the musical "Mama Mia." And remind me what the plot was in those office songs?
WERTHEIMER: Yeah, right.
RENEE MONTANGE, host:
The organization's gambling this time on the story of a young man out on a date who turns into a werewolf and leads a team of zombies in a coordinated dance routine.
(Soundbite of song "Thriller")
Mr. MICHAEL JACKSON (Singer):
(Singing) 'Cause this is thriller, thriller night And no one's gonna save you from the beast about strike You know it's thriller, thriller night
MONTAGNE: The Nederlander Organization has a track record of Broadway hits including "Rent," the "Lion King." This new project is endorsed by Michael Jackson, and producers hope he'll have a hand in its creation. After all, the album "Thriller" is still, 27 years on, the best-selling album of all time. And this is Morning Edition from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne.
WERTHEIMER: And I'm Linda Wertheimer.
(Soundbite of song "Thriller")
Mr. JACKSON:
(Singing) You feel the cold hand and wonder if you'll ever see the sun You close your eyes and hope that this is just imagination, girl! But all the while you hear a creature creeping up behind You're out of time
'Cause this is thriller, thriller night There ain't no second chance against the thing with the forty eyes, girl Thriller, thriller night