Forest Whitaker to Make Broadway Debut in Eugene O'Neill's Hughie

Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland) will make his Broadway debut in spring 2016 in a new revival of Eugene O'Neill's two-character drama Hughie. The production will be directed by Tony Award winner Michael Grandage (Red).

Set in the lobby of a second-rate Manhattan hotel, Hughie follows small-time hustler Erie Smith (Whitaker) as he mourns the recent death of the old night clerk, Hughie, and regales the new clerk, Charlie Hughes, with tall tales from his glory days spent with his now-deceased pal. Casting for the role of Charlie will be announced in the coming months.

For Hughie, Grandage reunites the entire Tony-winning creative team behind the 2010 Broadway production of Red, including Christopher Oram (sets and costumes), Neil Austin (lighting), and Adam Cork (sound design). Darren Bagert, Michael Grandage Company, and the Shubert Organization serve as producers.

Whitaker's many film credits include Fast Times at Ridgemont High, The Color of Money, Good Morning Vietnam, The Butler, and Southpaw. On Broadway, Grandage has also directed The Cripple of Inishmaan, Evita, Hamlet, and Frost/Nixon. Written in 1942, Hughie premiered on Broadway in 1964, with a cast led by Jason Robards. In the past, he role of Erie has also been played by Al Pacino, Burgess Meredith, Ben Gazzara, and Richard Schiff.

This production, the dates and theater for which will be revealed shortly, marks the second O'Neill drama to be announced for the 2015-16 season. Roundabout Theatre Company will produce Long Day’s Journey Into Night, starring Jessica Lange and Gabriel Byrne, beginning March 31 at the American Airlines Theatre.