Will Ferrell to Star in You're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush on Broadway

Hollywood funny man Will Ferrell will make his Broadway debut taking on departing U.S. President George W. Bush in a new Broadway one-man show, according to The New York Times. You’re Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush will start performances on January 20—Bush’s final day in office—at the Cort Theatre and open on February 1. The limited engagement will play through March 15.

Ferrell got his start on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, where he perfected many hilarious characters including a spot-on impersonation of President Bush. Starring on the weekly show from 1995 to 2006, he appeared on a total of 140 episodes.

In Hollywood, Ferrell’s popularity rose with standout roles in comedy films like Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, A Night at the Roxbury, Superstar, The Ladies Man, Zoolander and Old School. In 2003, his name went above the title, driving the holiday hit Elf to box office gold, a feat he repeated the following summer with Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgandy. Ferrell is now one of the busiest actors working in movies; recent films include Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Stranger Than Fiction, Blades of Glory, Semi-Pro, Step Brothers and the musical film version of The Producers, in which he played Franz Liebkind. He received Golden Globe nominations for his work in Stranger Than Fiction and The Producers.  

You’re Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush will be directed by Adam McKay, Ferrell’s longtime comedy collaborator.

The 39 Steps, the Tony-winning comedy now playing at the Cort, has not yet announced plans to close or move to another theater.