VENUS IN FUR Playwright David Ives Boards Creative Team of Broadway-Bound HOUDINI

Tony winner Hugh Jackman may have exited HOUDINI, but today, a Tony nominee has joined the creative team of the Broadway-bound musical.

A representative for the show has confirmed to BWW that VENUS IN FUR playwright, David Ives, will write the book for HOUDINI. Ives has been attached to the project for a number of months, as first reported by BWW earlier this year in a video interview with Jack O'Brien. Aaron Sorkin had previously signed on to pen the production, but withdrew in January due to scheduling conflicts.

"I have greatly enjoyed the collaborative process on HOUDINI," Jackman said yesterday when his departure from the production was announced Ultimately, though, I wasn't able to commit to the time this role will require. I have tremendous respect and admiration for the creative team and I wish everyone the best. I know they're well on their way to making something extraordinary."

"Hugh has been terrific to have on this part of our journey," producer Scott Sanders added. "We will continue to move forward with our remarkable creative team, as they craft this ambitious new musical." -

HOUDINI has a book by Tony Award nominee David Ives, a score by three-time Academy Award and four-time Grammy Award winner Stephen Schwartz and will be directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien.

Directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien, Houdini is presented by film and theatre producer Scott Sanders and David Rockwell. Mr. Rockwell will also design the sets for Houdini. Additional Houdini casting, creative team and design team to be announced at a later date.

Jackman was most recently seen in Prisoners alongside Jake Gyllenhaal. Other upcoming big screen projects include X-Men: Days of Future Past and The Greatest Showman on Earth. He recently starred in The Wolverine and the Oscar-nominated movie adaptation of Les Miserables. Jackman has appeared on Broadway in Hugh Jackman, Back on Broadway, A Steady Rain and The Boy From Oz -- for which he won the 2004 Tony Award -- as well as off-Broadway's Carousel. In 2012, Jackman was honored with a Tony Award Special Award for Extraordinary Contribution to the Theatre Community.

Photo by Walter McBride