Faith, Hope, and Charity: Marisa Tomei to Star in Broadway Revival of Cy Coleman-Dorothy Fields-Neil Simon Musical

Though TV actress Jenna Elfman almost got the role, Marisa Tomei has been officially announced as the star of the upcoming Broadway revival of the Cy Coleman-Dorothy Fields-Neil Simon musical Sweet Charity.

“I can’t believe I’m doing it,” Tomei told the New York Times — and she’s probably not the only one. In the original 1966 Broadway production, Charity Hope Valentine was played by the legendary triple-threat performer Gwen Verdon. In the 1969 film version of the musical and in the 1986 Broadway revival, the part was essayed by two other stars — Shirley MacLaine and Debbie Allen, respectively — who are known as superb dancers in addition to their acting and singing talents. In contrast, Tomei has no professional reputation as a dancer or a singer, though she won an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actress in 1993 for her role in the film My Cousin Vinnie and, more recently, was Oscar nominated for her work as part of the ensemble cast of In the Bedroom.

So, why is Tomei taking on Sweet Charity? “It was always my favorite,” she told the Times. “And Cy [Coleman] has promised to work with me every day if necessary.” Currently, the actress has the title role in Oscar Wilde’s Salome — opposite the Herod of Al Pacino — in a production that may or may not have an Off-Broadway run following its engagement at St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn.

The new Charity, produced by Barry and Fran Weissler in association with Clear Channel Entertainment, will be directed by Walter Bobbie (Chicago, Footloose). The show is scheduled to open on August 17, 2003 at a Broadway theater yet to be named, following engagements in Toronto and Chicago.