The Best Man: Mark Blum replaces Michael McKean

Obie Award winner Mark Blum will permanently assume the role of 'Dick Jensen' from Michael McKearn on 4 Jun 2012 in the Tony-nominated Broadway revival of Gore Vidal's The Best Man.

McKearn left the production following injuries he sustained after he was struck by a car on Upper Manhattan on 22 May 2012. McKearn, suffered a broken leg, as a result of the incident.

James Lecesne, who plays 'Mitch Graham,' a reporter from the Washington Post, stepped in to McKean's role in the interim. Fred Parker who covered the role of 'Mitch Graham' returns to the ensemble.

The Best Man opened at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on 1 Apr 20122, following previews from 6 Mar 2012. It recently announced a second extemsion which will see the play run through to 9 Sep 2012.

The play opened to mostly excellent reviews: Starry but sluggish production (NY Times); Diverting dramedy (NY Daily News); Outrageously entertaining (Record); An unqualified winner (NY1).

The revival was recently nominated for a 2012 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play, and earned James Earl Jones a nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role. The winners of the Tony Awards are announced on 10 Jun 2012.

A play about power, ambition, political secrets, ruthlessness and the race for the presidency, Gore Vidal's The Best Man is set at the national convention where two candidates are vying for their party's nomination during the primary season. It's an inside look at the dirt-digging, double-dealing, triple-crossing chicanery of presidential electioneering.

Directed by Michael Wilson, the cast now features James Earl Jones (Arthur Hockstader), John Larroquette (William Russell), Candice Bergen (Alice Russell), Eric Mccormack (Joseph Cantwell), Kerry Butler (Mabel Cantwell), Jefferson Mays (Sheldon Marcus), Mark Blum (Dick Jensen), Angela Lansbury (Mrs. Gamadge), Corry Brill (Don Blades), James Lecesne (Mitch Graham), Curtis Billings, Tony Carlin, Donna Hanover, Sherman Howard, Olja Hrustic, Bill Kux, Fred Parker, Dakin Matthews, Angelica Page and Amy Tribbey.

The creative team features scenic design by Derek McLane, Lighting design by Kenneth Posner, costume design by Ann Roth and sound design by John Gromada.