“I'm very excited,” Jackman told NY1 on the red carpet before the 66th Annual Tony Awards. “Aaron Sorkin is writing the book, Stephen Schwartz doing the music, Jack O'Brien directing [and] David Rockwell [providing scenic design]... We have a very exciting group, [and] we're about to do a first act read-through in about a week.”

As previously announced, Jackman will star in the title role in the musical that is scheduled for a Broadway bow in the 2013-14 season.

Tony winners Scott Sanders and Rockwell produce the musical about the life of the turn-of-the-century illusionist, which will have a score by Academy Award-winning composer-lyricist Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, "Pocahontas") and a book by Academy Award winner Sorkin ("A Few Good Men," "The Newsroom," The Farnsworth Invention). Kurt Andersen, who has been developing the musical over the last several seasons, will remain on as a creative consultant.

According to an earlier statement from Sorkin, "Rather than being a biography, Houdini – told in a contemporary tone – tells the story of an epic battle that took place between the world's greatest illusionist and a trio of women, known as 'Spiritualists,' who convinced millions of people, including the editors of Scientific American and The New York Times, that they could communicate with the dead."

Jackman, who is being honored for his "contributions to the Broadway community, both as a performer and humanitarian; his tireless dedication to charitable works of many types; and his personal generosity of spirit," is also a Tony winner for The Boy From Oz. Visit his page at the Playbill Vault.