After airing musical productions live, NBC is moving toward the more dramatic and adapting Aaron Sorkin’s stage production of A FEW GOOD MEN for a live TV performance.
Sorkin originally wrote A FEW GOOD MEN, which premiered on Broadway in 1989 at the Music Box Theatre. Three years later he adapted the play as a feature film that went on to receive an Oscar nomination for best picture.
“I am thrilled that Aaron Sorkin is coming back to NBC to adapt and produce a live broadcast of his electrifying play A FEW GOOD MEN, which seems as timely as ever today,” said Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment. “Aaron is one of the most acclaimed theater, television and film authors of our time, and I am pleased that the live event business that we pioneered with musicals is now expanding into other genres and attracting artists of his caliber. I look forward to his collaboration with our ‘A-team’ producers, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, to bring another exciting piece of live drama to a broad audience.”
“I’ve been incredibly impressed watching NBC resurrect live musical theater for television and I’m eager to team up with Craig and Neil to help bring live drama back as well,” Sorkin said.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to be working on A FEW GOOD MEN LIVE with the incredibly talented Aaron Sorkin. The stage production was one of the most compelling dramas we’ve ever seen,” said Zadan and Meron. “Not only have Bob Greenblatt and NBC taken a chance on live musicals, but they are now exposing a national audience to riveting live dramas. We’re very excited to be a part of these groundbreaking TV events.”
Set in 1986 and taking place in Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, A FEW GOOD MEN centers on military lawyer Lt. Daniel Kaffee, who is asked to defend three Marines on trial for murder. Tom Hulce (“Amadeus”) was nominated for a Tony Award for his portrayal of Kaffee on Broadway.
A FEW GOOD MEN LIVE will air in early 2017 on NBC.