Here's a cast that'll make theater fans roar! Gregg Edelman, Mark Jacoby and Johhny Rabe are set to prowl Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre as the stars of a musical adaptation of Secondhand Lions. Directed by Scott Schwartz, the world premiere production will begin performances on September 7 for a limited engagement through October 6. Opening night is set for September 26.
Featuring music and lyrics by Michael Weiner and Alan Zachary (First Date) and a book by Tony winner Rupert Holmes (The Mystery of Edwin Drood), the tuner is based on the 2003 film starring Haley Joel Osment, Michael Caine and Robert Duvall. Secondhand Lions tells the story of a shy boy named Walter (Rabe) who befriends a lion after he is sent to live with his eccentric great uncles (whose history is colored by hidden treasures, beautiful princesses and war adventures). In addition to Edelman, Jacoby and Rabe, the cast of Seconhand Lions will feature Broadway favorites Jason Danieley, Kevin Earley, Kendra Kassebaum and Jenny Powers.
Edelman recently starred on Broadway in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. He received Tony nominations for his work in City of Angels, Anna Karenina, 1776 and Into the Woods. Jacoby was recently seen in Elf. He received a Tony nomination for Show Boat and starred in the original Broadway production of Ragtime, The Phantom of the Opera, Grand Hotel and Sweet Charity. Rabe made his Broadway debut in the Tony-nominated musical A Christmas Story.