Val Kilmer to Star in Commandments Musical
Broadway.com first reported on July 8 that Kilmer was in negotiations for The Ten Commandments. Kilmer is no stranger to the role of Moses--he voiced the characters of Moses and God in the 1998 animated film The Prince of Egypt, in which he sang the song "Humanity." In addition to The Prince of Egypt, Kilmer's singing voice can also be heard in his first feature film, Top Secret. His other film credits include The Doors, Real Genius, Top Gun, Thunderheart, True Romance, Tombstone, Batman Forever, Heat, The Saint, At First Sight, Pollock, The Salton Sea, Wonderland, The Missing and Spartan.
A graduate of Julliard's drama department, Kilmer also has professional stage experience. He appeared on Broadway in 1983 in Slab Boys. His off-Broadway credits include Public Theater productions of How It All Began which he helped adapt for the stage, Henry IV Part I and Tis Pity She's a Whore.
The Ten Commandments chronicles the story of Moses leading the Hebrews from captivity out of Egypt, and the passions that would drive the people to sacrifice their children, betray their kinsmen and ultimately rise up against the greatest imperial power the world had ever known.
A musical version of the epic tale has played at other locations throughout the world, but for its American premiere, the show is being retooled. It will feature a new score with music by Patrick Leonard best known for co-writing and co-producing the Madonna song "Like a Prayer" and lyrics by Maribeth Derry.
The Ten Commandments, directed by Robert Iscove, will begin performances at the Kodak Theatre on September 18 in preparation for a September 27 opening. Although no casting beyond Kilmer has been announced for the production, Broadway.com has learned that Kevin Earley recently of Thoroughly Modern Millie will play the Pharaoh Ramses.