Revival of ‘The Philadelphia Story’ Coming to Broadway Fall 2013

A revival of “The Philadelphia Story” is coming to Broadway in the fall of 2013.

The new revival of the classic Philip Berry comedy will be produced by the Roundabout Theatre Company, and two-time Tony Award-nominee Alex Timbers will direct. The production will be held at the American Airlines Theatre, but official dates will be announced at a later date.

“‘The Philadelphia Story’ is a witty comedy of romance and manners set in Philadelphia high society during the late 1930s,” said the Roundabout Theatre Company. “The play was last seen on Broadway in 1981 starring Blythe Danner, Frank Converse and Edward Herrmann. ‘The Philadelphia Story’ premiered on Broadway in 1939 starring Katharine Hepburn and following its successful run, was made into the well-known, and Academy Award-nominated, 1940 film also starring Hepburn, with Cary Grant and James Stewart.”

Timber recently worked with the Company’s Roundabout Underground with “The Language of Tree” in 2008. His Broadway credits include “Peter and the Starcatcher,” “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” and “The Pee-wee Herman Show.” In addition to directing, he also wrote the book for “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,” and was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Book for the production.

His Off Broadway credits include “A Very Merry Unauthorized Pageant,” “Gutenberg! The Musical!” and “Hell House.” Timbers also will stay busy until the premiere of “The Philadelphia Story,” as he will direct the music show “Here Lies Love” at The Public Theater. The show is by former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne and DJ Fatboy Slim. Additionally, he is directing “Rock the Musical,” which is premiering in Hambug.

“The Philadelphia Story” also was adapted into a 1956 movie musical staring Grace Kelly, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. Cole Porter wrote the music and lyrics for the film. The production had a short-lived Broadway ru in 1998.