Fran Drescher and Charles Shaughnessy as Fran Fine and Mr. Sheffield (Image: CBS)
Hit ’90s sitcom “The Nanny” is in the process of getting the Broadway treatment.
A musical adaptation seems to be apt, considering that the protagonist, Fran Fine (Fran Drescher) was nanny to the children of Broadway producer Max Sheffield, known to viewers as Mr. Sheffield. The comedy series ran from 1993 to 1999.
The series is getting set to hit Broadway through its star and creator, Drescher, series co-creator Peter Marc Jacobson and “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” creator Rachel Bloom, Entertainment Weekly reported yesterday, Jan. 8.
Drescher and Jacobson will write the book—the series is partly based on the actress’ experiences in Queens. Bloom will pen music and lyrics with Adam Schlesinger, who was also a songwriter for “Crazy Ex.” Marc Bruni (“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”) will direct.
“We are SO excited to be working on the Broadway musical ‘The Nanny.’ Nobody is cast yet—we’re plotting—but we feel confident we will find a fabulous actress who is funny, charming, and has a great voice,” said Drescher and Jacobson in a statement.
“Of course I would do it myself, but we’d have to change the title to ‘The Granny’,” Drescher, 62, quipped.
Drescher made Fran Fine an iconic character with her wit, New York accent and flashy curve-hugging outfits.
Like Drescher, Bloom drew from her own life experiences to create “Crazy Ex” and cited “Nanny” as an inspiration.
“‘The Nanny’ was a fundamental part of my childhood because it was the first time I saw an openly Jewish female protagonist on television,” Bloom said in a statement.
“The story of Fran Fine, however, is a universal one that has touched the hearts of people of every race, religion and orientation. I am so proud to be using the characters established by ‘The Nanny’ to tell a new story about one woman’s journey to becoming proud of who she is and what makes her different.” Niña V. Guno /ra
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