Tag Archives: Concord Originals

Alberto Ferreras’ “B as in Beauty” Being Developed as a Television Series

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Alberto Ferreras’ first novel is getting the small screen treatment…

The Spanish/Venezuelan writer and director’s novel B as in Beauty is being developed as a television series from writers Manuel Figueroa and Jordan Heimer after Concord Originals partnered with Marsh Entertainment and Telemundo Streaming Studios.

Alberto Ferreras, At this time, no broadcaster is attached.

The bilingual dramedy will follow Bella “B” Zavala, whose personal life, career and relationships are at best a mess. That is until she meets a mysterious and unique woman who offers her a moonlighting job as an emotional companion. Through the unexpected adventures she faces with her eccentric new clients, Bella’s own notions of beauty, love and self-worth will never be the same.

B as in Beauty won the International Latino Book Award for Best English Popular Fiction in 2009. It was also chosen by Siempre Mujer magazine as the Best Novel of the Year after its release.

Figueroa and Heimer previously developed drama series The Three Joaquins at ABC. The duo served as executive story editors on Starz’s Step Up: High Water and developed Eastside at NBC with Ruben Fleisher’s The District and previously staffed on ABC’s Stumptown and Syfy’s Defiance.

Concord Originals is the television and film division of the company that owns music catalogs such as Creedence Clearwater Revival and Otis Redding and musicals from Rodgers & Hammerstein and Tennessee Williams.

“The magic of B as in Beauty is in B’s ability to look inward and redefine her personal power. It’s our hope that this character and the path that she finds herself on will touch hearts all over the world because B’s journey is global in nature,” said Marsh.

“This project represents the culmination of our key objectives – giving existing IP new life in another format and championing filmmakers as they create content for underserved audiences,” said Concord Originals’ Sophia Dilley. “We know Sherry and our friends at Telemundo share this vision, making them the perfect partners to bring Alberto’s whip smart B to life on screen.”

“Telemundo Streaming Studios’ core mission is to tell stories that inspire connection while elevating Hispanic voices and representing them authentically on the screen. We are committed to representing diverse perspectives in front of and behind the camera and are excited to partner with Marsh Entertainment and Concord Originals who share in our values. We are confident audiences will identify with Bella’s universal story about self-love,” added Ponce, SVP and GM of Telemundo Streaming Studios.

Jennifer Lopez’s Nuyorican Productions Developing Limited Series Based on Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella”

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Jennifer Lopez is taking on a classic tale…

The 52-year-old Puerto Rican superstar’s Nuyorican Productions is teaming up with Skydance Television and Concord Originals to develop a limited series based on Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella.

Jennifer LopezThe project, an original take on the musical, will be written by Rachel Shukert, who will also executive produce and serve as showrunner.

This marks the first project under the previously announced deal between the companies to develop a slate of original projects based on Concord’s vast catalog of musicals.

Lopez, along with partners Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and Benny Medina, will executive produce for Nuyorican Productions.

David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Bill Bost will executive produce for Skydance, alongside Sophia Dilley, Senior Vice President of Development and Production at Concord Originals, and Concord CEO Scott Pascucci.

“The story of Cinderella is as timeless now as ever,” said Bill Bost, President of Skydance Television. “This aspirational story of romance, unconventional families, and the surprising power of wishes has inspired audiences around the world for centuries, and we are thrilled to be working with Jennifer, Rachel, Concord, and The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization to bring our fresh take to the screen.”

“Rodgers & Hammerstein elevated the already magical story of Cinderella with their iconic music that has attracted legends of screen and stage throughout its many beloved, award-winning iterations over the years,” added Dilley. “Our partnership with Skydance and Nuyorican on this project is the first step of many towards our collective goal of championing timeless classics for a new generation and Rachel is the perfect voice to expand upon this story in a contemporary way.”

One of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s most popular titles, Cinderella was originally written for television, debuting in 1957 starring Julie Andrews, who was nominated for an Emmy Award for her performance.

More than 100 million viewers saw the broadcast, more people than any other program in the history of television at the time.

Cinderella was re-made for TV in 1965 starring Lesley Ann Warren in the title role (photo above), Ginger Rogers and Walter Pidgeon as the King and Queen, and Celeste Holm as the Fairy Godmother. A further television remake followed in 1997 with Brandy as Cinderella, Whitney Houston as the Fairy Godmother, Bernadette Peters as the Stepmother, Whoopi Goldberg as the Queen, and Jason Alexander as Lionel.