|
|
 |
Josh Hartnett to Make West End Debut in Rain Man
By Mark Shenton
01 Jul 2008
 |
|
Josh Hartnett
|
Josh Hartnett will make his West End debut in a new stage version of the 1988 Oscar-winning film "Rain Man," which will begin performances at the Apollo Theatre Aug. 28 prior to an official opening Sept. 9.
Rain Man, which is currently booking through Dec. 20, has been re-imagined by writer Dan Gordon and director David Grindley for the stage, and is reset in the present day.
Hartnett will play Charlie Babbitt (originally played on screen by Tom Cruise) with British actor Adam Godley as his autistic savant older brother Raymond (originally played by Dustin Hoffman, who won the Best Actor in a Leading Role award).
Raymond, who has been hidden in an institution for most of his adult life and is dysfunctional in many senses, is also touched with a kind of stellar genius, which his brother Charlie, an L.A.-based automobile dealer and hustler, harnesses to save his business. The two brothers embark on a rollercoaster journey together that shows Raymond a world beyond the hospital gates and Charlie the meaning of unconditional love.
Hartnett, whose films include "Pearl Harbor," "Black Hawk Down," "30 Days of Night," "Virgin Suicides," "The Black Dahlia" and "Lucky Number Slevin," said in a press statement, "It has always been my intent to work on the London stage. While I've had many opportunities it was only when I read the complex and charismatic character of Charlie Babbitt that I knew the time was right. I feel very fortunate to make my London bow with such an esteemed producer and director and I'm also looking forward to working with Adam Godley, who is such an extraordinary talent. Can't wait to live and work in London a city I adore!"
Godley was Olivier-nominated for his stage performances in Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick (National Theatre) and Mouth to Mouth (Royal Court, subsequently transferring to the Albery). Other productions include Private Lives (West End and Broadway), Paul, The Pillowman and Mike Leigh's Two Thousand Years (National Theatre). His film credits include Tim Burton's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" and the upcoming "X‐Files: I Want To Believe."
Director David Grindley directed the multi-award-winning revival of Journey's End that played several West End theatres and transferred to Broadway's Belasco Theatre, as well as the Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of Pygmalion at the American Airlines Theatre last year. Other credits include Abigail's Party (Hampstead, New Ambassadors and Whitehall), The Philanthropist (Donmar Warehouse) and Some Girl(s) (Gielgud Theatre).
Adaptor Dan Gordon has written 11 feature films, including "The Hurricane," "Wyatt Earp," "Murder In The First," "The Assignment" and "Passenger 57." His new play, Irena's Vow, is scheduled to open in New York in the fall. Other theatre credits include the stage adaptation of Terms of Endearment, which recently toured the U.K., and the stage adaptation of Murder in the First. His version of Rain Man is based on the MGM motion picture, which featured a screenplay by Barry Morrow.
Rain Man is produced by Nica Burns, Jane Walmsley, Michael Braham, Max Weitzenhoffer in association with MGM ON STAGE, Darcie Denkert and Dean Stolber.
To book tickets contact the box office at 0844 412 4658 or visit www.rainmanonstage.com.
Contact Us | Advertise | Privacy Policy
Send questions and comments to the Webmaster
Copyright © 2008 Playbill, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
|