Tom Conti, who just opened Dec. 10 in John Dowie's new play Jesus, My Boy, at the West End's Apollo Theatre, has already announced plans to take the production to Broadway.

During an exclusive audience discussion following Wednesday's final preview, Conti told Playbill On-Line: "We do plan to go there with it, and I think audiences on Broadway will like it even better than here."

Jesus, My Boy is a comic re-interpretation of the story of the messiah, as told by his bewildered Jewish father, Joseph. In particular, Conti felt the strong Jewish element in the piece would appeal to New York audiences.

Co-producer Laurence Myers today confirmed the production's Broadway ambitions. In an interview with Playbill On-Line, he said: "Tom is as important on Broadway as in London. He'd love to do the play on Broadway, so we'd like to take it there."

No firm arrangements have yet been made. The production will continue for at least three months in London, where the reception has to date been positive. Myers foresees a Broadway transfer sometime in autumn 1999. He and co-producer and director Tom Kinninmont would like to tour the show nationally as well but say this will be worked around any New York date. The two have also purchased film rights. "The BBC want it," said Myers, "but we think that's premature. We want to fully develop and exploit the stage version first. It has a magic on stage which would be very hard to capture on television."

Jesus, My Boy is currently booking at the Apollo Theatre until Feb. 27, 1999. For further information, contact the Apollo box office on +44-171-494-5070.

-- By Terri Paddock
What's On Stage, London