Elling: Tickets now on sale



Tickets are now on sale to the general public for Simon Bent's Elling, directed by Doug Hughes, opening on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on 21 Nov 2010, following previews from 2 Nov, playing a strictly limited engagement through to 20 Mar 2011.

Film actor Brendan Fraser, star of movies such as, "The Mummy" film series, "Crash," "Dudley Do-Right," "Looney Tunes: Back in Action" and "George of the Jungle" is making his Broadway debut in the comedy. Staring alongside Tony Award-winner Denis O'Hare (Take Me Out), Jennifer Coolidge (The Women), Tony Award-winner Richard Easton (The Invention of Love) and, just joining the cast, Jeremy Shamos.

Elling is adapted by playwright Simon Bent from the film "Elling," a screenplay by Axel Hellstenius, which is itself based on the novel of the same name by Norwegian writer Ingvar Ambjørnsen.

Mummy's boy Elling (Denis O'Hare) and his roommate, the uncouth, reluctant virgin 'Kjell Bjarne' (Brendan Fraser), are the Odd Couple of Oslo: a pair of confused souls taking their first steps in the outside world after years of isolated, institutional life. Given a flat in the city by social services, they must re-assimilate themselves into society or face a return to the asylum. So it's simply a question of convincing their social worker that they really are "normal" - even if it does feel safer sleeping in the wardrobe.

The design team is comprised of Scott Pask (set), Kenneth Posner (lighting), Catherine Zuber (costumes) and David Van Tieghem (composer/sound).

The play had its world premiere at London's fringe theatre The Bush, before transferring to London's West End where it played at Trafalgar Studios 1 from 6 Jul - 6 Oct 2007. That production, directed by Paul Miller, starred John Simm as 'Elling' and Adrian Bower as 'Kjell Bjarne.'

The show opened to positive reviews: "This variation of The Odd Couple' works like a dream" (Daily Telegraph); "Very touching comedy" (Financial Times); "This is the most blissfully funny and touching evening I've had in the theatre for ages" (Guardian) and "There is no better theatrical tonic in town." (Evening Standard).

The play is to be produced on Broadway by Howard Panter for Ambassador Theatre Group, Bob Bartner, Bill Kenwright, John O'Boyle, Deborah Taylor, Burnt Umber, Bill Ballard/David Mirvish, Finola Dwyer, David Parfitt, Ronnie Planalp and Michael David in association with Bob Boyett.

Brendan FraserDenis O'Hare

Originally published on

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