Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber is in talks with U.S. TV executives over plans to bring his Wizard of Oz talent search to America.
The composer is hoping to launch a television casting show to find an unknown to play Dorothy in the musical - as he's done in the U.K.
His U.K. show will launch in February (11) with newcomer Danielle Hope as his leading lady and Michael Crawford returning to the London stage.
He hopes his American TV talent search will prove to be healthy competition for Simon Cowell's new U.S. X Factor show.
Lloyd Webber tells Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper, "A couple of the networks in the U.S. have wanted to build something around what I do on TV, and I think with Oz something is definitely going to happen there.
"The X Factor juggernaut is going to be huge there next year but other networks are looking for something to go against it.
"Once we've found a Dorothy in the U.S., my instinct is to open the show in Kansas (where the story is set)."
Meanwhile in other news Lloyd Webber has confirmed he and his lyricist partner are planning to revive their 1970s musical for an ambitious world arena tour.
He says, "I will know in about February if it's going to happen."
And he reveals a several big names have already reached out to him, asking to be part of the show.
He tells Britain's Daily Telegraph, "Every major artist I've spoken to has said they want to be in it.
"I'm not going to name names, but I'm getting demo tapes from some of the top artists in the world. It's extraordinary.
"We want to play 200 arenas in America and they are planning the route for the U.S. tour already.
"Then, hopefully, there will be a world tour."
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