NBC is expanding its live productions to drama with the critically acclaimed play, "A Few Good Me," by Aaron Sorkin. The Oscar-winning screenwriter will adapt the stage version for a live broadcast set to air in early 2017.
"A Few Good Men" first premiered on Broadway in 1989, launching Sorkin's career in theater and later film and television. Set in 1986 in Washington D.C. and the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the story centers on a military lawyer Lt. Daniel Kaffee, who is asked to defend three Marines on trial for murder.
"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."
Sorkin, who will also serve as an executive producer, added, "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."
The four-time Emmy winner spent a cumulative five years working for NBC between the first four seasons of "The West Wing" and his one-and-done series, "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip." He recently wrapped three seasons of "The Newsroom" on HBO and won the 2016 Golden Globe for Best Screenplay for "Steve Jobs." He will make his directorial debut on his next written project, a film adaptation of the book, "Molly's Game."
Sorkin first adapted "A Few Good Men" for the big screen in 1992. The Rob Reiner-directed film starred Tom Cruise as Kaffee and garnered four Oscar nominations including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor for Jack Nicholson.
NBC has found varying success with its musical productions. The live productions began in 2013 with "The Sound of Music" followed by "Peter Pan" and "The Wiz." It will broadcast a live presentation of "Hairspray" this holiday season.
Casting and an official premiere date for "A Few Good Men" will come at a later date.
