Cuccioli, the Tony-nominated star of Jekyll & Hyde, is in negotiations to play Vittorio Vidal in the forthcoming production of Sweet Charity, starring Oscar winner Marisa Tomei. Cuccioli's agent confirmed the news to Playbill On-Line Jan. 8. Vidal is the famous Italian movie star that Charity Hope Valentine latches onto one night outside a disco. James Luisi portrayed the character in the show's original production, and Ricardo Montalban played the part on screen in the 1969 film. Sweet Charity features a book by Neil Simon and a score by Cy Coleman (music) and Dorothy Fields (lyrics). The original production, directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse, opened at Broadway's Palace Theatre in Jan. 1966, playing 608 performances before closing July 15, 1967. Gwen Verdon starred in the title role in that production, earning a Tony Award for her work. The 1986 revival cast Debbie Allen as Charity; Mark Jacoby played Vidal.

Robert Cuccioli earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical for his work in the title roles of Jekyll & Hyde. He won the Drama Desk and the Outer Critics Circle awards for that performance. Cuccioli also appeared in the Broadway production of Les Misérables and has been seen on screen in "Sliders," "Baywatch," "Celebrity," "The Stranger" and "Operation Delta Force 3: Clear Target." Most recently, he starred Off-Broadway in Temporary Help.

Playbill On-Line reported in Dec. 2002 that the Sweet Charity revival will bow at Chicago's Shubert Theatre July 1, 2003, and stay until July 20. The run will follow performances at the Canon Theatre in Toronto May 20-June 29, 2003. The Broadway opening — according to the New York Times — is scheduled for Aug. 17. Producing are Barry and Fran Weissler and Clear Channel Entertainment. Presenting the show in Toronto are David and Ed Mirvish. Walter Bobbie (Chicago, Footloose) is director.