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The trend for transferring limited-run Off-Broadway hits to Broadway ("Other Desert Cities," "Peter and the Starcatcher," "Venus in Fur") continues with "The Other Place," Sharr White's drama about a neurologist whose life becomes unhinged. Laurie Metcalfe will repeat her Obie–winning performance from the MCC Theater production, which played the Lucille Lortel in 2011. The play will be directed again by Joe Mantello and presented by Manhattan Theatre Club as a part of its Broadway season at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, with previews beginning Dec. 11 for a Jan. 10 opening. There are three other roles in the show plus understudies, and it has not been revealed if other members of the original company will also be returning. The MCC staging was cast by Telsey + Company, but MTC productions are usually cast by Nancy Piccione, MTC's resident casting director, or David Caparelliotis of Cap Casting.
The New York Post reports John Pielmeier's stage version of "The Exorcist," soon to open at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, may haunt the Main Stem. According to the Post, star Brooke Shields would be making the trip, but Richard Chamberlain would be replaced by Malcolm MacDowell, who was offered the role of Father Merrin initially but was unable to do the L.A. run. Shields told Back Stage at the Drama Desk Awards there were no firm plans for a transfer to Broadway, but said it was a possibility. If so, there may be EPAs for NYC cast replacements. The Geffen Playhouse casting director is Phyllis Schuringa, but a New York casting director would most likely be hired. Read Back Stage's story on the casting of the role of the possessed young girl for the Geffen.
As the summer proceeds, a traditionally slow time at the box office, more shows announce closings. "Sister Act" will play its last performance at the Palace on Aug. 26, but a North American tour begins Oct. 2 in Toronto. Craig Burn of Telsey + Company is the casting director. "Jesus Christ Superstar" has announced a closing date of July 1 at the Neil Simon "unless business improves," according to the official press release.
In additional casting news, "Rebecca," the musical version of Daphne DuMurier's suspense novel, has found its two new leads—Jill Paice ("Death Takes a Holiday") and Ryan Silverman ("Phantom of the Opera"). Jay Binder is the casting director and performances begin Oct. 30 at the Barrymore for a Nov. 18 opening.
Christian Borle has left his Tony-winning role in "Peter and the Starcatcher" to start filming the second season of "Smash" on June 20. Matthew Salvidar who just finished playing Steve Hubbell in "A Streetcar Named Desire" took over Borle's role of Black Stache. Jim Carnahan is the casting director "Starcatcher."
According to the New York Times, director Diane Paulus, currently represented by "The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess," has attracted the interest of producers Fran and Barry Weissler for her new staging of the 1972 musical "Pippin," which will play at American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Mass., starting Dec. 1. The Weisslers are reportedly in talks to provide financial support to the Cambridge production and if reaction is positive enough, a possible Broadway transfer. Paulus' Tony-winning revival of "Porgy and Bess" also got its start at ART. The casting directors are Duncan Stewart and Benton Whitley of Duncan Stewart and Company.
David Sheward is Special Sections Editor for Back Stage. Follow him on Twitter at @DavidSheward2.
