Producers announced that a scheduling conflict has delayed the opening at Broadway's Booth Theatre of a revival of The Elephant Man, starring Bradley Cooper and directed by Tony nominee Scott Ellis (The Mystery of Edwin Drood). The limited run will now begin previews November 7 before an official December 7 opening, and continue through February 15, 2015.
Bernard Pomerance's Tony Award-winning play debuted on Broadway in 1979 after successful runs in London and Off-Broadway. Philip Anglim, who originated the title role, and Billy Crudup who took it on in a 2002 revival both received Tony nominations.
David Lynch's 1980 film adaptation featured John Hurt, Anthony Hopkins, Anne Bancroft and John Gielgud, won three BAFTA Awards (including Best Actor for Hurt and Best Film) and was nominated for eight Academy Awards.
Cooper (Silver Linings Playbook, the three Hangover movies) isn't the first screen actor to assume on stage the intensive role of Joseph Merrick, the severely disfigured man with a brilliant mind who became a star of the traveling freak show circuit in the 19th century. In addition to Crudup, Mark Hamill and David Bowie have also played the part.
Cooper played Merrick at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in 2012, also directed by Ellis. Patricia Clarkson (Six Feet Under, Shutter Island) and Alessandro Nivola (American Hustle, The Winslow Boy) will also reprise their roles from that production. They will be joined by Anthony Heald, Scott Lowell, Kathryn Meisle and Henry Stram, with further casting to be announced.
