LEAP OF FAITH Set to Perform at the Tony Awards!

The New York Times reports that producers of the recently closed Broadway musical LEAP OF FAITH have decided to stage a musical number on this year's Tony Awards broadcast airing June 10th on the CBS network.

The musical, which closed on May 13 after receiving poor reviews from critics, reportedly lost more than $14 million. However producers have made the decision to raise the necessary funds to secure a place for a number at this year's Tony's ceremony. The show has been nominated in the 'Best Musical' category.

According to two unnamed Broadway industry insiders familiar with the plans, the show's producers have raised approximately $150,000. Broadway producers, who pick up the bill for a production number on the Tony's, usually pay between $150,000 and $200,000. The two executives explained that the show's producers believed performing at the Tony's would be "an upbeat coda to the musical’s troubled experience in New York this spring." In addition, exposure on the Tony Awards could lead to future production deals with theater producers in Europe and Asia.

No details have been revealed as to which number from the show will be staged or whether the show's lead, Raul Esparza will perform. Music for the show was composed by Academy Award-winner Alan Menken with lyrics by Glenn Slater. LEAP OF FAITH will compete against other Best Musical nominees  “Newsies”, “Once” and “Nice Work If You Can Get It.”

Leap of Faith spokeswoman Jackie Green commented on the producer's decision to mount the Tony number saying, “The show received a Tony nomination for best musical, so it’s standard to perform on the Tonys, and the producers love ‘Leap of Faith’ and wanted to do the number.”