RIALTO CHATTER: Robin Williams Heading Back to Broadway in 'TIGER?'

The New York Times reports today that Robin Williams may be returning to the Great White Way in Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, an Iraq War play - a Pulitzer Prize finalist - written by Rajiv Joseph that last had a critically successful run in Los Angeles.  The production could open as early as the Spring of 2011 assuming that a deal can be reached with Williams and producers Robyn Goodman and Kevin McCollum.  

Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, directed by Moisés Kaufman, debuted at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City, California in May, 2009. It most recently play the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles from April 14 - May 30, 2010.

The Times describes the play as follows: "Set early in the American invasion of Iraq, the play concerns the aftershocks of violence and brutality under Saddam Hussein and during the war, with a character - a tiger at the zoo - providing comic commentary and philosophical musings throughout."

Kauffman would stay on as the director of the Broadway production and is "optimistic" that a deal with Williams to play the title role of the Tiger will be reached. Kevin Tighe played the role in the Los Angeles runs.

To read the full report in the New York Times, click here.

In addition to being a Pulitzer Prize finalist, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo was chosen by the NEA in 2008 as one of two Outstanding New American plays.

Rising to fame with his role as the alien Mork in the TV series Mork and Mindy, and later stand-up comedy work, Williams has performed in countless films, including Good Morning, Vietnam, Dead Poet's Society, Jumanji, The Birdcage, and Patch Adams andMrs. Doubtfire. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the 1997 film Good Will Hunting. He has also won two Emmy Awards, four Golden Globes, two Screen Actors Guild Awards and five Grammy Awards. He has appeared on Broadway in Robin Williams: Live on Broadway in 2002.