James Earl Jones to go from chauffer to president

[February 25, 2011]  NEW YORK (AP) -- James Earl Jones knows what he'll be doing after he's done driving Miss Daisy.

The Tony Award winner will play a former U.S. president in a revival of "Gore Vidal's The Best Man" on Broadway in the spring of 2012.

Jones has been getting raves opposite Vanessa Redgrave and Boyd Gaines in a revival of "Driving Miss Daisy," which has been extended until April 9.

The Vidal play debuted on Broadway in 1960 and was nominated for six Tonys. It tells the story of two politicians vying for the presidential nomination.

A revival in 2000 starred Elizabeth Ashley, Charles Durning, Christine Ebersole, Spalding Gray and Chris Noth.

The new production will be directed by Michael Wilson.

Producers made the announcement Thursday.

[Associated Press]

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