Musical drama distinct, those involved say

Tonight, when the curtain rises on the new NBC series “Rise,” it will do so amid lofty expectations.

The network aired a wellreceived trailer for its new musical drama during the Super Bowl. And the show has a pedigree in producers Jason Katims (“Friday Night Lights,” “Parenthood”) and Jeffrey Seller (who shepherded “Rent” and “Hamilton” to Broadway).

“Rise” stars Josh Radnor (“How I Met Your Mother”) and Rosie Perez, along with some young rising stars.

The series is based on the nonfiction book “Drama High: The Incredible True Story of a Brilliant Teacher, a Struggling Town and the Magic of Theater” (Riverhead, 2013).

It follows small-town Pennsylvania schoolteacher Lou Mazzuchelli (Radnor), who seizes an opportunity to take over the school’s stagnant theater department,