Jim Belushi and Nina Arianda On Tap for Broadway Revival of Born Yesterday

TV star Jim Belushi and stage newcomer Nina Arianda are “in discussions” to star in a Broadway revival of Garson Kanin’s comedy Born Yesterday, according to The New York Times. Belushi will play corrupt businessman Harry Brock opposite Arianda as ditzy mistress Billie Dawn, the role made famous by Judy Holliday, in a production to be directed by Doug Hughes in spring 2011. No theater, opening date or further casting has been announced.

Belushi, who is currently starring in The Defenders, is best known for the comedy series According to Jim. Arianda received rave reviews and the Clarence Derwent Award for her performance in Class Stage Company’s production of Venus in Fur opposite Wes Bentley in January 2010.

Born Yesterday opened on February 4, 1946, with a cast that included Holliday, Paul Douglas as Harry Brock and Gary Merrill as Paul Verrall, who becomes Billie’s confidante. The play ran for 1,642 performances and was adapted into a 1950 film that won Holliday a Best Actress Oscar opposite Broderick Crawford as Harry and William Holden as Paul. A 1989 Broadway revival starred the late Madeline Kahn, Ed Asner and Daniel Hugh Kelly.

The 2011 revival will be produced by Philip Morgaman, Anne and Vincent Caruso, Frankie J. Grande and James P. MacGilvray.