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The Prime Video series is described as a music-infused young adult retelling of the classic story.
LOS ANGELES — Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton will executive produce a contemporary musical adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz” for Amazon’s Prime Video streaming service, Deadline reported Tuesday.
The series, titled “Dorothy,” reimagines L. Frank Baum’s classic books as a music-infused young adult series set in modern-day Manhattan that uses “the Yellow Brick Road as a metaphor for the challenges and choices facing young adults today,” according to Prime Video.
“It’s a creative and modern take on a classic, and being part of something that blends music, emotion, and the character of Dorothy is inspiring to me,” Stefani, a three-time Grammy winner, said in a statement.
Shelton, a nine-time Grammy nominee and country music star, said he immediately recognized the project’s potential.
“I knew right away it was something Gwen would connect with. Her creativity and perspective are such a natural fit for this project,” he said.
The married couple brings extensive television production experience to the venture. Shelton has executive produced the Hallmark movie franchise “Time for … to Come Home for Christmas” and USA Network’s “Barmageddon.” Stefani previously served as executive producer on the animated series “Kuu Kuu Harajuku.”
The project is being developed by creator and producer Gina Matthews, who is known for producing films including “13 Going on 30” and “Isn’t It Romantic,” and also created The WB series “Popular” and “The Mountain.”
“I’ve been in love with The Wizard of Oz books since I was a child,” Matthews said in a statement. The story explores themes of resilience and community support through Dorothy’s journey.
Additional executive producers include Lee Metzger, Grant Scharbo and Patrick Moran.
No premiere date has been announced for the series. Prime Video has not disclosed casting details or production timeline.
The project announcement comes just ahead of the highly-anticipated “Wicked: For Good” theatrical release on Nov. 21, which is the second part of the origin story of the characters in “The Wizard of Oz” based on the smash Broadway musical.
