Arts News
Taylor Hackford to direct Leap of Faith musical
By Amy Somensky
Apr 11, 2006, 17:27 GMT

New York: Taylor Hackford has signed on to direct the upcoming Broadway musical Leap of Faith, based on the 1992 film. The musical is set to debut in the 2007-2008 Broadway season, and will feature a score by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater, and a book by Janus Cercone.

Hackford will make his Broadway directorial debut with Leap of Faith. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his work on Ray, and has directed such films as An Officer and a Gentleman, Against All Odds, The Idolmaker, Chuck Berry Hail! Rock 'n' Roll, White Nights, Dolores Claiborne, Proof of Life, Everybody's All-American, and The Devil's Advocate.

Leap of Faith is the story of Jonas Nightingale, a rock star in evangelist's clothing, who cons his way across the drought stricken farm belt. A consummate manipulator, Jonas meets his match in a beautiful young widow and her son who compel him to acknowledge forces beyond his control -- the power of love, human connection and hope. Through them, Jonas - the ultimate cynic -gets one last chance to believe in something.