Rush also played that role in the Australian premiere of the musical, which was seen at the Melbourne Theatre Company in January 2010. Simon Philips directed the production Down Under.
Don McKellar, who co-wrote the Drowsy book with original star Bob Martin, said Rush will also executive produce the film musical. Shooting is expected to begin next year.
McKellar previously told the Globe and Mail, "We saw [Rush in Drowsy] and he was excellent – and also he's an excellent person. We're pretty excited about being involved with him. . .He is incredibly Man in Chair-like. When he was a little boy, instead of playing with trucks, he was making model theatres out of shoeboxes."
McKellar and Martin, CBC reports, are also working on a new TV series for Kim Cattrall, entitled "Sensitive Skin." Filming will begin this fall in Toronto; McKellar also directs and costars.
Geoffrey Rush won an Academy Award for his performance in "Shine" and was also Oscar-nominated for his roles in "Shakespeare in Love," "Quills" and "The King's Speech."
The Drowsy Chaperone has Tony-winning music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Gregg Morrison and a Tony-winning book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar. The five-time Tony Award-winning musical comedy made its final toast Dec. 30, 2007, at the Marquis Theatre following 674 performances and 32 previews.