In the grand tradition of actors who’ve found success as recording artists (Jennifer Lopez, Jared Leto) and musicians who’ve achieved silver screen glory (Ice Cube, Justin Timberlake), an increasing number of A-list Hollywood actors are showing off their dramatic chops in high-profile Broadway roles. This latest trend in entertainment line-blurring doesn’t come as much of a surprise — many film actors get their start in stage productions — but it certainly adds a fun and glamorous twist to the already-dazzling allure of Broadway productions.
The 2015 show schedule is in and it promises to be one of The Great White Way’s most star-studded years yet, with more big names than ever hitting the stage in a variety of top-notch productions. From Broadway newcomers making their debuts to seasoned veterans making triumphant returns, here are the 10 actors we’re most excited to shout “bravo” for in 2015.
Debuting in 2015
Vanessa Hudgens – Gigi
The Disney sweetheart turned indie ingenue is set to make a splash in 2015 as Gigi in the musical adaptation of Collette’s famous novel — the same role that launched Audrey Hepburn to stardom more than half a century ago.
Watch @VanessaHudgens in the new promo vid for @GigiOnBroadway! http://t.co/LoJhvcYDAV pic.twitter.com/bYIEgjLZgz
— Just Jared Jr. (@justjaredjr) February 18, 2015
Opening Night was dreamy! #chooselamour #GIGIonBroadway pic.twitter.com/JvVWaINKwI
— GIGI (@GigiOnBroadway) January 30, 2015
Larry David – Fish in the Dark
The brilliantly bumbling comedian behind beloved HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm makes his Broadway writing and acting debut in 2015 with this star-studded black comedy, which follows 15 relatives as they deal with a death in the family. The highly anticipated production is already one of the season’s hottest tickets — its advance sales shattered Broadway records.
Larry David's new Broadway comedy “Fish in the Dark” set a box-office record last week http://t.co/Ugn8yvX1Ns pic.twitter.com/PCZTZTYFnA
— NYT Theater (@nytimestheater) February 24, 2015
Anna Chlumsky – You Can’t Take It With You
Emmy darling Anna Chlumsky replaces fellow A-lister Rose Byrne as Alice Sycamore in this staging of the beloved George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart play. She’ll be joined by a bevy of Broadway heavyweights including James Earl Jones, Kristine Nielson, and Annaleigh Ashford.
.@CantTakeItBway & @LivingOnLoveBway star @AnnaChlumsky on being the Britney Spears of B'way: http://t.co/b1lEAGw4uu pic.twitter.com/mS9Yg28gva
— broadway.com (@broadwaycom) February 16, 2015
Keira Knightley – Thérèse Raquin
Fresh off her 2015 SAG nomination, the period-piece veteran travels back in time once again to portray the titular character in Helen Edmundson’s new adaptation of the novel by Émile Zola. With a torrid plotline involving an arranged marriage, infidelity, and murder, this is one Broadway debut not to be missed.
Exciting news for Keira Knightley fans! http://t.co/bez04Xwf9U pic.twitter.com/MSDn5ee92Z
— Harper’s BAZAAR (@harpersbazaarus) October 24, 2014
Jake Gyllenhaal – Constellations
The Oscar-nominated superstar takes a break from his steady diet of big-budget Hollywood productions to topline this British two-hander (a story with only two characters), where he plays a beekeeper engaged in a cerebral romance with a scientist studying quantum mechanics.
CONSTELLATIONS, starring Jake Gyllenhaal & Ruth Wilson, adds three late-night performances: http://t.co/EAyvfj1Ppa pic.twitter.com/FjQQqZVqFF
— broadway.com (@broadwaycom) February 12, 2015
Returning in 2015
Sienna Miller – Cabaret
The lovely and talented Golden Globe nominee returns to Broadway as Berlin cabaret performer Sally Bowles in this perennial audience favorite. Miller debuted on Broadway in 2009.
FIRST LOOK at Sienna Miller as Sally Bowles in @Cabaret_Musical! pic.twitter.com/8DeKzhrPdT
— Roundabout (@roundaboutnyc) February 13, 2015
Elisabeth Moss – The Heidi Chronicles
Moss, the Golden Globe-winning actress best known for her role as Don Draper’s secretary in AMC’s Mad Men, stars as the eponymous Heidi in this revival of the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, which follows the life of an art historian as she grapples with love, feminism, and the glass ceiling. It’s the first time The Heidi Chronicles has graced the stage since its original run in 1990, making it one of the year’s most anticipated openings.
Elisabeth Moss and @JasonBiggs-led @HeidionBroadway announces Broadway theater and dates → http://t.co/VfkRJvLPJf pic.twitter.com/AhdbX2BI0D
— TheaterMania (@theatermania) November 6, 2014
Photoshoot's a wrap! Time to take some selfies… #HeidiIsBack #ElisabethMoss pic.twitter.com/pk0B2q8EVI
— The Heidi Chronicles (@HeidionBroadway) December 9, 2014
Jason Biggs – The Heidi Chronicles
The American Pie star and Orange is the New Black cast member joins Elizabeth Moss and Bryce Pinkham in the buzzed-about revival, where he’s sure to amuse and infuriate as philandering magazine editor Scoop Rosenbaum.
Pics from today's press event for THE HEIDI CHRONICLES, starring Elisabeth Moss & @JasonBiggs http://t.co/pQXeC0tPnJ pic.twitter.com/7gr7HaQZzm
— Playbill (@playbill) January 20, 2015
Carey Mulligan – Skylight
Academy Award nominee Carey Mulligan stars opposite Bill Nighy in the Broadway transfer of this London hit, a tumultuous story of love and loss that won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play upon its debut in 1995.
.@nytimes says Bill Nighy & Carey Mulligan in SKYLIGHT is spectacular @gablescinema 1/30 – 2/1 http://t.co/G27jfjkHsW pic.twitter.com/ixD1GaZo3q
— Coral Gables Art Cinema (@gablescinema) January 28, 2015
Watch Carey Mulligan's latest film trailer now: Far From The Madding Crowd http://t.co/z8ZJQ1AzOb pic.twitter.com/5GkNHirRFe
— ELLEUK (@ELLEUK) February 20, 2015
Sam Rockwell – Fool For Love
The scene-stealing actor in films such as Matchstick Men and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy returns to the Broadway stage in 2015 to replace fellow actor Chris Pine as Eddie in Fool For Love, an emotional masterwork that explores the deeply complicated bonds of a pair of ex-lovers.
Nina Arianda and Sam Rockwell will star on #Broadway in an acclaimed revival of Sam Shepard’s drama “Fool for Love” http://t.co/HVdT0rVRf6
— NYT Theater (@nytimestheater) December 4, 2014
With so many big stars taking bows on Broadway in 2015, there’s plenty to look forward to. Let us know who you’re excited to see in the comments.
All this theater talk got you in the mood? Browse shows on Broadway or see what’s happening close to home.
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