As BroadwayWorld has previously reported, a newly revamped version of Leap of Faith has been receiving readings and, most recently, industry presentations throughout the fall staring Raul Esparza. The newest version of the show, which is rumored to have Broadway aspirations, most recently underwent a reading beginning November 3 and was presented to potential investors on November 10 and 11.
Though no official announcement has been made, the New York Times reports that according to one of the lead producers Thomas Viertel, the show is indeed now headed to Broadway in the Fall of 2012. No official announcement has yet been made, but Viertel told the paper that "closed-door developmental readings drew strong feedback" and that "our creative team has done great work in clarifying the story."
The show is said to be between $10-15 million in budget, and 25 minutes shorter than the production in Los Angeles. No casting has yet been confirmed either, though it's expected that Esparza will remain with the production.
BroadwayWorld confirmed earlier that as part of the makeover, Warren Leight has been added to the creative team as co-librettist with Leap of Faith original screenplay scribe Janus Cercone. Leight is perhpas best known for his Tony-winning play, Side Man. Additional plays include Glimmer, Glimmer & Shine, produced by the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles and the Manhattan Theatre Club in NYC with John Spencer; contribution to The 24 Hour Plays; No Foreigners Beyond This Point, which earned him a Drama Desk nomination; James and Annie; and Stray Cats
On television, he is best known for his work on Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Lights Out and the showrunner for In Treatment and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Leap of Faith premiered at the Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles on September 11, 2010 prior to opening on October 3 of that year. Starring Brooke Shields and Raul Esparza, Tony Award-winner Rob Ashford directed and choreographed.
Based on the Steve Martin movie and featuring a score by eight-time Academy Award-winner Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater, "Leap of Faith" stars Raúl Esparza as Reverend Jonas Nightengale, the consummate flim-flam man. Brooke Shields, who previously starred as Marva in the LA production, the beautiful small-town woman and single mother who challenges everything Jonas believes in, recently announced her departure from the project. Additional casting has yet to be announced.
