Michael Riedel reports in today's New York Post that both LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE and LEAP OF FAITH are considering making Spring bows on Broadway as they evaluate both potential available theatres and 'Best New Musical' competitors.
Talking to producers for LEAP OF FAITH, Riedel reports "When I asked about their plans, they said: “ ‘Leap of Faith’ is planning to open [in] fall 2012. If we were presented with the possibility of a spring opening, we would strongly consider it, but many pieces would have to fall into place to make that happen.” But I can tell you from sources inside the “Leap of Faith” revival tent, we’re comin’, praise Jesus, we’re comin'"
The producers of LEAP OF FAITH, the new musical based on the Paramount Pictures film announced in December new members of the creative team for the production that will have its Broadway debut in the fall of 2012 at a theatre to be announced. With music by Academy and Grammy Award-winner Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater, LEAP OF FAITH will star 4-time Tony Award nominee Raúl Esparza as conman Jonas Nightingale.
Tony-nominated director Christopher Ashley, in his first return to Broadway since directing the Tony-winning Best Musical Memphis, will helm this new production. Tony Award-winner Warren Leight, who currently serves as the executive producer on NBC’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and won critical acclaim for his celebrated play Side Man in 1998, returns to the theatre joining Janus Cercone to revise the book for Leap of Faith. Sergio Trujillo, with credits such as Jersey Boys and Memphis, will be the choreographer. The LA production featured direction and choreography by Rob Ashford.
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, which earlier this year had a production at La Jolla Playhouse, has taken further steps in development. The musical features Tony Award-winning creative team of composer/lyricist William Finn and playwright/director James Lapine. A reading featuring two of Broadway's favorites, Raul Esparza and Sherie Rene Scott, took place back in September. The script has been revised since its premiere, and the reading was overseen by Lapine.
The cast of LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE at La Jolla Playhouse featured Hunter Foster (Urinetown, Little Shop of Horrors), Malcolm Gets ("Caroline in the City," A New Brain, Amour) and Jennifer Laura Thompson (Urinetown, Wicked).Little Miss Sunshine is based on the 2006 motion picture by Big Beach Films and Fox Searchlight with a screenplay by Michael Arndt. The film received numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
In Little Miss Sunshine, the Hoover family has seen better days. Richard, the father, is a floundering motivational speaker, Grandpa's been kicked out of his retirement home for doing drugs, and Uncle Frank's been dumped by his boyfriend. Moody teenager Dwayne has taken a vow of silence and overextended mom Sheryl can do little more than slap on a smile. But when the youngest Hoover-energetic, indomitable Olive-enters a regional children's beauty pageant, the family thinks their luck could change and embarks on a cross-country trek chasing the coveted title of "Little Miss Sunshine." With a rollicking pace and moments of joyful abandon, Little Miss Sunshine is an outrageously funny and surprisingly touching new musical.
