Smash Team Craig Zadan and Neil Meron to Produce 2013 Academy Awards

Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, the powerhouse producting team behind TV's Smash, the Chicago film adaptation and the recent revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, are set to produce the 85th annual Academy Awards. This marks the duo's first time producing the prestigious event, which is scheduled for February 24, 2013. The ceremony will air live on ABC from the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood and Highland Center. No host has been announced at this time.

"We are very excited to collaborate with [Academy President Hawk Koch] and everyone at the Academy," Zadan and Meron said in a statement. "We hope to utilize our experience in producing features, TV and theater to bring something fresh and special to this incredible awards show. When we filmed The Bucket List we made our own personal bucket list, and producing the Oscars was number one. It's truly a great honor."

Zadan and Meron have also produced the 2010 Broadway revival of Promises, Promises, as well as the upcoming TV remake of Steel Magnolias and the recent film remakes of Footloose and Hairspray. They are also set to stage a live TV broadcast of The Sound of Music for NBC.