Davis Gaines, long-reigning star of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Broadway Phantom of the Opera is being sought as the lead for Webber's next Broadway project, Whistle Down the Wind, the New York Times reported. The Times said negotiations are underway with Gaines to play the role of an escaped convict whom a group of children believe to be Jesus.
The Times also said the musical is due for Broadway this fall or next spring. The production had been announced to open a tryout elsewhere in the U.S. first, but now appears ready to open "cold" on Broadway.
No theatre has been announced, but Webber reportedly wants the Shubert Theatre, where Big currently is playing. The producers of Big have said they have no plans to close the show any time soon.
