Will Swenson will take a hiatus from Broadway’s Les Miserables to join John Behlmann and Melissa Errico in the previously reported Bull Durham musical. Directed by Kip Fagan, with music and lyrics by Susan Werner, the adaptation of the 1988 classic movie will premiere at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta on September 3 and run through October 5. The production’s book writer Ron Shelton, who also penned the screenplay and helmed the film, has said that if all goes well with the run, the tuner is eyeing the Great White Way next spring.
Swenson will take his break from playing Javert July 22 through October 5. He received a Tony nomination for Hair and has also appeared on Broadway in Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, 110 in the Shade, Lestat and Brooklyn: the Musical. Behlmann made his Broadway debut in Journey’s End and has starred in The 39 Steps. Errico was Tony nominated for her work in Amour and her other stage credits include Anna Karenina, My Fair Lady, High Society, Dracula, White Christmas, Passion and Finian's Rainbow.
Choreography will be by Joshua Bergasse, scenic design by Tony winner Derek McLane, costume design by Toni Leslie James and music direction by Jason DeBord.
Bull Durham is inspired by Shelton’s time on and off the Minor League Baseball field. The musical tells the story of veteran catcher “Crash” Davis (Swenson) who is brought to the Durham Bulls to prepare rookie pitcher Ebby Calvin "Nuke" LaLoosh (Behlmann) for the majors. Annie Savoy (Errico), the muse of the Bulls, has a tough choice to make - each season she converts one player from an also-ran to an all-star by sharing her wisdom and her bed. The love triangle heats up, as each character fights with their own wants and hopes for what the future holds.