Thriller to become "Zombie Musical show Extravaganza"

[Thorn]

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Michael Jackson will help develop his ground-breaking "Thriller" video into a musical theater production, producers said on Monday. Jackson's 1982 "Thriller" album is the world's biggest selling album and 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 in the video -- 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 Nederland Organization, which has acquired the rights to the musical. "Thriller The Musical" will include songs from "Thriller" and Jackson's 1979 album "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 Nederland Organization statement: "The Nederlanders and Michael Jackson represent live theater and musical excellence, so let the music begin." Jackson, 50, is one of the best-selling recording artists of all time and began his musical career with his siblings in the Motown group the Jackson 5 before starting a solo career. But the singer has been dogged since the 1990s by scandal and revelations about his eccentric lifestyle. He was tried and acquitted of child sex abuse charges in 2005. Jackson also has been plagued with financial troubles in the past few years and narrowly averted a foreclosure sale of his Neverland Ranch in May. In November, he handed over the title of Neverland to a company made up of himself and the firm that holds the $24 million loan on the property. He has no permanent home currently. Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/enter...0090126?rpc=64

[Philly_SWAT]

Its close to midnight and something evils lurking in the dark Under the moonlight you see a sight that almost stops your heart You try to scream but terror takes the sound before you make it You start to freeze as horror looks you right between the eyes, Youre paralyzed cause this is thriller, thriller night And no ones gonna save you from the beast about strike You know its thriller, thriller night Youre fighting for your life inside a killer, thriller tonight

[blind2d]

Good for him! I love Michael Jackson, and I thought he had a very tasteful approach to the whole zombie thing. - 2D Love him, eh? Aren't you a few years too old for that, faceache? - Murdoc I'm glad someone with this much influence in pop music is able to take his vision to the next logical step. This is what it's about. - Russel

[SRP76]

He has no permanent home currently. "Will moonwalk for food."

[Debbieangel]

"Will moonwalk for food." You had me rolling on the floor SRP..love it!!!!

[blind2d]

Who could blame him? Eh? Wot?

[Thorn]

Tha twas damn funny. I am curious if nothing else to see costumes and make up from the show, it will be nice to have mainstream zombie theater. Also like it or hate it, like him or hate him... Thriller sold a lot of albums and that video was VERY influential at that time.

[Philly_SWAT]

I think a good scene to include would be a group of zombie children coming out of a closet, with mags and videos of kiddy porn falling around them as they crash thru the door.....

[bassman]

Good for him! I love Michael Jackson, and I thought he had a very tasteful approach to the whole zombie thing. - 2D Love him, eh? Aren't you a few years too old for that, faceache? - Murdoc I'm glad someone with this much influence in pop music is able to take his vision to the next logical step. This is what it's about. - Russel I imagine Jackson is a good guy - John We made a few tunes and a video together - Paul Wutever - Ringo I like some of his stuff. - George Anyway....I would probably go see this. But I bet the ticket prices will be insane.