Lee Daniels to Direct ANNA IN THE TROPICS Film

Lee Daniels, who's most well known for directing PRECIOUS, has just signed on to develop and to direct ANNA IN THE TROPICS, a film adaptation of Nilo Cruz's Pulitzer and Steinberg Prize-winning play, reports the Hollywood Reporter. Cruz is on board to help develop the script as well.

In this beguiling story set in a Cuban-American cigar factory in 1929 Florida, cigars are still rolled by hand and "lectors" are employed to educate and entertain the workers. The arrival of a new lector is a cause for celebration, but when he begins to read aloud from Anna Karenina, he unwittingly becomes a catalyst in the lives of his avid listeners, for whom Tolstoy, the tropics and the American dream prove a volatile combination.

ANNA IN THE TROPICS was honored with two nominations at the 2004 Tony Awards. The show was nominated in the category of Best Play and Best Featured Actress in a Play (Daphne Rubin-Vega).

The original Broadway cast featured Jimmy Smits, Priscilla Lopez, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Victor Argo, Vanessa Aspillaga, John Ortiz and David Zayas.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos