'Ray' Director Hackford to Helm Bway-Bound 'Leap of Faith'

According to The New York Post's Liz Smith, award-winning filmmaker Taylor Hackford will direct the upcoming Broadway musical Leap of Faith.

Hackford, who is married to Oscar-winner Helen Mirren, will make his Broadway debut as the director of the musical, which will feature music by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid), lyrics by Glenn Slater (Disney's Home on the Range, with Menken) and a book by James Cercone (Leap of Faith screenplay).

Leap of Faith is based on the 1992 Paramount Pictures movie, starring Steve Martin, Liam Neeson and Debra Winger. According to earlier production notes, "Leap of Faith is the story of Jonas Nightingale, a rock star in evangelist's clothing, who cons his way across the drought stricken farm belt. A consummate manipulator, Jonas meets his match in a beautiful young widow and her son who compel him to acknowledge forces beyond his control -- the power of love, human connection and hope. Through them, Jonas - the ultimate cynic -gets one last chance to believe in something."

Taylor Hackford is known for helming movies with strong musical elements; Leap of Faith represents his first legit musical. Nominated for Academy Awards for directing and producing Ray, Hackford's other directing credits include the films: An Officer and a Gentleman, Against All Odds, The Idolmaker, Chuck Berry Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll, White Nights, Dolores Claiborne, Proof of Life, Everybody's All-American and The Devil's Advocate.

Leap of Faith will be produced by Michael Manheim (who also produced the 1992 picture), James D. Stern & Douglas L. Meyer and Steven Baruch, Richard Frankel, Marc Routh and Thomas Viertel.

Smith reports that Kelli O'Hara (The Light in the Piazza) was involved in a recent read-through of the musical.  Casting, as well as theatre and dates, have not been announced.