Michael B. Rothfeld

RIALTO CHATTER: Angela Lansbury to Star with James Earl Jones in THE BEST MAN on Broadway?

James Earl Jones, who most recently starred as Hoke Colburn, the chauffeur in Driving Miss Daisy will return to Broadway in the role of the feisty, folksy and wily ex- U.S. President Arthur Hockstader in GORE VIDAL'S THE BEST MAN coming to Broadway in the spring of 2012. Reported first by Variety, he revealed last night while being honored with the Monte Cristo Award at Bridgewaters-South Street Seaport that starring alongside him will be five-time Tony Winner Angela Lansbury making her return to the stage after most recently appearing as Madame Armfeldt in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC.

James Earl Jones Will Lead Gore Vidal's THE BEST MAN on Broadway in 2012

The New York Times reports today that following his stint in DRIVING MISS DAISY, James Earl Jones will be hanging around Broadway a bit longer, assuming the role of Arthur Hockstader in the revival of Gore Vidal's 'The Best Man.' The production is scheduled to open in the spring of 2012. Orphan's Home Cycle director Michael Wilson will helm the revival. The plot centers around chief executive Hockstader trying to decide which presidental nominees to support: William Russell and Joe Cantwell.