Gore Vidal’s Mudslinging Political Drama The Best Man Opens on Broadway

Gore Vidal’s 1960 political drama The Best Man opens April 1 at Broadway’s Schoenfeld Theatre. Directed by Michael Wilson, the production will play a limited engagement through July 8. The Best Man stars Tony winner John Larroquette, Eric McCormack, two-time Tony winner James Earl Jones, five-time Tony winner Angela Lansbury, Candice Bergen, Tony nominee Kerry Butler, Michael McKean and Tony winner Jefferson Mays.

A slew of stars are expected to attend the opening performance including Bernadette Peters, Susan Sarandon, Joan Rivers, Debra Messing, Topher Grace, T.R. Knight, Ellen Burstyn, Jeremy Jordan, Audra McDonald, Cheyenne Jackson, Norm Leiws, Edward Albee, Jane Alexander, Nina Arianda, Mark Blum, Phillip Boykin, Tom Cavanagh, Michael Cerveris, Victoria Clark, Nikki Renée Daniels, Phil Donahue, Jim Creeggan, Gina Gershon, David Alan Grier, Jessica Hecht, Joshua Henry, David Henry Hwang, Marin Ireland, Stacy Keach, Mayor Ed Koch, Michael Learned, Jennifer Lim, Susan Lucci, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Elaine May, Andrew McCarthy, Jerry Mitchell, Matthew Modine, Annette O’Toole, Rob Morrow, Estelle Parsons, Neil Pepe, Bryce Pinkham, Christine Quinn, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Phylicia Rashad, Pablo Schreiber, Frances Sternhagen, Richard Thomas, Marlo Thomas, Alex Timbers, Joanne Woodward, Tyler Stewart, Jim Creeggan, Kevin Hearn and Barenaked Ladies’ Ed Robertson.

Set at the national convention in Philadelphia, The Best Man tells the story of Secretary William Russell (Larroquette) and Senator Joseph Cantwell (McCormack), two presidential hopefuls both trying to earn their party’s nomination. When Cantwell smears Russell’s reputation with an allegation about his mental health, Russell must decide whether to play fair or fight back.

The Best Man also features Donna Hanover, Curtis Billing, Corey Brill, Tony Carlin, Sherman Howard, Bill Kux, James Lecesne, Dakin Matthews, Angelica Page, Fred Parker, Jr. and Amy Tribbey.

The Best Man design team includes scenic designer Derek McLane, lighting designer Kenneth Posner, music and sound designer John Gromada and costume designer Ann Roth.