If Bill Condon, the producer of last year's Oscar ceremony, is the king of glitzy old-school musicals like Chicago and Dreamgirls, Adam Shankman is king of the new-school, having directed Hairspray and just today signing on to direct a movie version of the Broadway show Rock of Love.

And it's the new blood, it seems, that the Academy wants-- they announced today in a press release that Shankman, alongside former Fox executive Bill Mechanic, will produce this year's awards. The release quoted Shankman, a former dancer and choreographer, saying "The last time I was on the show was as a dancer, and to come back as a producer is such an unbelievable honor. I look forward to collaborating with Bill to celebrate the world’s collective love of movies and provide a fun escape from the difficult times we’re living in."

Anyone worried that Condon's departure would mean fewer song and dance numbers this year should breathe easy-- Shankman has clearly been hired for his choreography skills, and it's probably even likelier that Zac Efron will be onstage for a musical number this time. Also, with Hugh Jackman out for next year, they may as well just call up Neil Patrick Harris right now. He can sing, he can dance, he's already hosted the Emmys and the Tonys, and nobody's sick of him. Get him in rehearsals and make this one even better than last year.