Emmy nominee Amber Tamblyn will make her Broadway debut in a revival of Beth Henley’s 1984 comedy The Miss Firecracker Contest, according to The New York Times. Directed by Tony winner Judith Ivey, the play will run at a yet to be announced theater during the spring of 2013. Additional casting will be announced at a later date.
Tamblyn will star as Carnelle Scott, a Mississippi woman who enters a small town beauty pageant in the hopes of reclaiming a soiled reputation. This production also marks the Broadway directorial debut for Ivey.
The original off-Broadway production of the play was mounted by Manhattan Theatre Club and starred Holly Hunter, who later reprised her role in the 1989 film adaptation. Ugly Betty star America Ferrera was attached to star in the show last year, when it had initially been aiming for a spring 2012 bow.
Tambyln's film and TV credits include 127 Hours, Joan of Arcadia, House, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series and The Grudge 2. Ivey, who currently stars in the Broadway revival of The Heiress, earned Tony Awards for Hurlyburly and Steaming. Her other Broadway credits include Follies, Voices in the Dark, Piaf and Blithe Spirit.