Brooke Shields Says Leap of Faith Aims for a Fall 2011 Broadway Bow

Less than 24 hours after her closing performance in the Los Angeles production of Leap of Faith, Brooke Shields was on the red carpet at the Broadway opening of Driving Miss Daisy, telling Broadway.com that her experience with the new musical was “the best ever.” The actress added that she expects the show to make it to Broadway next year. “Fall 2011 is what they’re shooting for," said Shields, who played Marva, the waitress/love interest of Raul Esparza as charlatan revival preacher Jonas Nightingale.

Leap of Faith received mixed reviews in Rob Ashford’s premiere production at the Ahmanson Theatre, which also featured Broadway vets Kendra Kassebaum, Jarrod Emick and Kecia Lewis-Evans. An adaptation of the 1992 film starring Steve Martin, the show has a score by Alan Menken (music) and Glenn Slater (lyrics) and a book by screenwriter Janus Cercone and Slater.

Shields remained with Leap of Faith even after suffering a broken hand during rehearsal, and she called the October 24 closing performance "magical—it was 1,400 people screaming and standing. Every night we had people jumping to their feet and sobbing. They didn’t want to leave! It’s just a beautiful show, and with Raul Esparza, the talent was amazing. I feel blessed.”