PHOTO CALL: First Look at the New Stars of Gore Vidal's The Best Man
By Joseph Marzullo
July 26, 2012
Gore Vidal's The Best Man gave Cybill Shepherd and Kristin Davis their Broadway debut July 10 when they — along with John Stamos — joined the company of the star-packaged political drama at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. Elizabeth Ashley joined the company on July 24.
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Shepherd, Davis and Stamos replaced, respectively, Candice Bergen as a presidential candidate's troubled wife, Kerry Butler as the spitfire Southern wife of another candidate and Eric McCormack as that heartless and oily candidate. Ashley replaced Angela Lansbury as women's-votes leader Mrs. Sue-Ellen Gamadge, a role that she played in the 2000 revival of Vidal's play. Lansbury exited July 22.
Original cast members James Earl Jones, John Larroquette, Jefferson Mays and recent cast addition Mark Blum remain with the production through its final performance at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on Sept. 9. Performances for the limited engagement began March 6.
The production was nominated for a 2012 Tony Award as Best Revival of a Play, with an additional nomination for James Earl Jones as Best Leading Actor.
The company also includes Curtis Billings, Corey Brill, Tony Carlin, Donna Hanover, Sherman Howard, Olja Hrustic, Bill Kux, James Lecesne, Dakin Matthews, Anjelica Page, Fred Parker, Jr. and Amy Tribbey.
The 1960 play "is set at the national convention where two candidates are vying for their party's nomination during the primary season." Expect "an inside look at the dirt-digging, double-dealing, triple-crossing chicanery of presidential electioneering and what could be more fun in a presidential campaign season than these theatrical fireworks."
The Best Man was originally scheduled to play through July 8, and has been extended twice. The Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre is at 236 W. 45th Street. Tickets can be purchased at Telecharge.com or by calling (212) 239-6200.
For more information, visit thebestmanonbroadway.com.