'Enemy of the People' and 'Hands on a Hard Body' Coming to Broadway

Manhattan Theatre Club has announced new productions for its 2012-13 seasons both on and Off-Broadway. For its Main Stem opener at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, Tony-winner Doug Hughes ("Doubt") will direct Rebecca Lenkiewicz's adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's "An Enemy of the People" starring four-time Tony-winner Boyd Gaines as a heroic doctor who stands against popular opinion to save his town. Richard Thomas will star as his brother, the conciliating mayor. Previews begin Sept. 4 for a Sept. 27 opening. This is a rare instance of a Broadway nonmusical with a large cast. Nancy Piccione is the casting director. Equity principal auditions will be held June 14.

Also coming to Broadway during the 2012-13 season is "Hands on a Hard Body," one of very few Broadway musicals based on a documentary film. ("Grey Gardens" is another one.) The 1997 feature that inspired the show depicts a group of Texans competing in a contest to keep at least one hand on a brand-new truck in order to win it. The book is by Doug Wright, who also penned "Grey Gardens," with music by Trey Anastasio of the pop group Phish and Amanda Green ("Bring It On"), who also wrote the lyrics. The musical is currently playing a world-premiere engagement at the La Jolla Playhouse through June 17 and features Keith Carradine ("The Will Rogers Follies"), Hunter Foster ("Million Dollar Quartet"), and Connie Ray ("Next Fall"). There has been no announcement about casting for Broadway or specific dates. Casting director for the La Jolla production is Rachel Hoffman of Telsey + Company.

In an interview with Vulture, James Lecesne, who took over Michael McKean's role in "Gore Vidal's The Best Man" when McKean suffered a broken leg after being hit by a cab, revealed that Candice Bergen and Eric McCormack will be leaving the show in July and will be replaced. This could mean the need for cast shuffling and possible auditions for replacements and understudies. The casting director is Telsey + Company.

David Sheward is Special Sections Editor of Back Stage. Follow him on Twitter @DavidSheward2.