Brendan Fraser & Denis O'Hare Headed for Broadway in Elling

Brendan Fraser, known to movie fans for his starring role in The Mummy and comedies such as Dudley Do-Right, will make his Broadway debut this fall alongside Tony winner Denis O’Hare (Assassins, Take Me Out, Sweet Charity, TV's True Blood) in Simon Bent’s Elling, according to the New York Post. Comic actress Jennifer Coolidge (Best in Show; Broadway’s The Women) will co-star in the play, which the Post says is headed to the Ethel Barrymore Theatre and will be directed by Tony winner Doug Hughes.

Adapted from a Norwegian novel and film, Elling was produced in London in 2007. O’Hare will play the title character, who makes friends with Kjell (Fraser) when both are in a mental hospital. Elling suffers from acute anxiety after his mother’s death, while Fraser is a childlike 40-year-old eager to lose his virginity. The two become roommates and face the challenge of establishing a normal life when released from the institution. Coolidge has been cast as Fraser’s girlfriend.

British producer Howard Panter will reportedly produce Elling on Broadway. No information on dates and other creative team members has been announced.