Will Five-Time Tony Winner Angela Lansbury Join the Ticket for Broadway’s The Best Man, Starring James Earl Jones?

Will Angela Lansbury join fellow legend James Earl Jones in Gore Vidal's The Best Man on Broadway? It looks like the actor spilled some casting news for the upcoming Broadway show, according to Variety. As previously reported Jones, who is headed to London to reprise his role in Driving Miss Daisy, will be returning to the Rialto to star in a revival of The Best Man. Jones revealed that his co-star would be, "Angela Lansbury as the Washington, D.C. grande dame." The revival, directed by Michael Wilson, is aiming for a spring 2012 Broadway opening at a theater to be determined.

Jones has signed on to play Arthur Hockstader, a former U.S. President in an election year, who is torn between endorsing two potential presidential candidates. Lansbury’s “Washington, D.C. grande dame” is likely the role of Sue-Ellen Gamadge, a part played by Ruth McDevitt in the play’s original 1960 production and Elizabeth Ashley in the 2000 Broadway revival. Lansbury, who earned Tony Awards for her work in Mame, Dear World, Gypsy, Sweeney Todd and Blithe Spirit, most recently appeared on Broadway as Madame Armfeldt in the 2010 revival of A Little Night Music.

Vidal’s 1960 political drama centers on power, ambition, political secrets and ruthless behavior surrounding a race for the presidency. In addition to Ashley, the 2000 revival featured Charles Durning, Chris Noth, Christine Ebersole, Spalding Gray and Michael Learned.