Brendan Fraser, Denis O’Hare, Jennifer Coolidge, Richard Easton Set for Elling to Open on Broadway in November

Jennifer Coolidge, Richard Easton, Brendan Fraser, and Denis O’Hare are set to star in Elling, to run November 2- March 20 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. Doug Hughes will direct the production, which is scheduled to open on November 21.

The play, written by Axel Hellstenius and Peter Naess and translated by Simon Bent, is based on Ingvar Ambjornsen’s Norwegian novels and Naess’ 2001 film version of them. It focuses on a pair of mismatched friends (played by Fraser and O’Hare) as they take their first steps in the world after years of living in an institution. The creative team will be announced shortly.

Fraser has starred on stage in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and is best known for his work in such movies as The Mummy, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and Gods and Monsters. O’Hare won the Tony for Take Me Out and currently stars on HBO’s True Blood.

Coolidge co-starred in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of The Women and her many film credits include Legally Blonde and A Mighty Wind. Easton won the Tony for The Invention of Love and his numerous stage credits include The Coast of Utopia and The Rivals.

Hughes won the Tony Award for Doubt and most recently directed Manhattan Theatre Club’s production of The Royal Family and Oleanna on Broadway.