Chaplin: Rob McClure to star as Charlie Chaplin

Rob McClure, who originated the role of Chaplin at the La Jolla Playhouse, will star in the title role of Chaplin, a new musical depicting the life of film icon Charlie Chaplin, with music and lyrics by Christopher Curtis and book by three-time Tony Award-winner Thomas Meehan ('Annie,' 'The Producers,' 'Hairspray') and Christopher Curtis.

McClure most recently appeared in New York leading the cast of 'Where's Charley?' at Encores. A two-time Barrymore Award winner, McClure starred on Broadway as 'Princeton/Rod' in the Tony Award winning musical 'Avenue Q.' He made his Broadway debut in the 2002 Broadway revival of 'I'm Not Rappaport' alongside Judd Hirsch and Ben Vereen.

The musical, previously titled 'Becoming chaplin,' will be directed and choreographed by Warren Carlyle ('Finian's Rainbow,' 'Hugh Jackman, Back on Broadway'). Additional Casting and additional creative team to be announced soon.

Tickets for the musical, opening on Broadway at the Barrymore Theatre on 10 Sep 2012, following previews from 21 Aug 2012, will go on sale to the general public on 4 Jun 2012.

From the slums of London to the heights of Hollywood, Chaplin is the showbiz Broadway musical about the silent film legend the world couldn't stop talking about - Charlie Chaplin. The brand new 22-person musical reveals the man behind the legend, the undeniable genius that forever changed the way America went to the movies.

Chaplin will be produced on Broadway by Bob and Mindy Rich, Roy Gabay and John and Claire Caudwell, with additional producers to be announced. Bob and Mindy Rich and John and Claire Caudwell are also collaborating in this season's Broadway production of 'Jesus Christ Superstar.'

The new musical Chaplin comes to Broadway following the popular success of a production at the La Jolla Playhouse in 2010, under the name Limelight.

When the show was first announced in Jan 2012, producers Bob and Mindy Rich said, "We were thrilled that La Jolla audiences responded so positively to what was then Limelight, and we have taken the necessary time since that production to restructure the musical for Broadway audiences. Charlie Chaplin holds such an iconic place in the history of the entertainment world and indeed of the 20th century. Chaplin, a new musical penned by respected film composer Christopher Curtis, a fresh voice to the musical theatre, and three-time Tony-winning writer Thomas Meehan, will not only give audiences insight into the life and career of this fascinating man, but also explore the factors that launched him from a young artist struggling to make a name for himself to an entertainment icon. Helmed by one of Broadway's best director/choreographers, Warren Carlyle, Chaplin brings the legend back to life for 2012 audiences."