Jessica Chastain heads to Broadway

ChastainJessica Chastain will range from bigscreens to Broadway later this season, toplining an approaching revival of "The Heiress." Paula Wagner, who's been developing legit work for some time now included in her shingle Chestnut Ridge Prods., will produce with Primary Stem regulars Roy Furman and Stephanie P. McClelland. Moises Kaufman directs Ruth and Augustus Goetz's 1947 play, modified from Henry James novel "Washington Square." Chastain -- whose avalanche of latest film operate in "The Assistance,Inch "Tree of Existence" and "Take Shelter" has gained her honours-season attention -- makes her Broadway debut in "The Heiress." The Juilliard grad's stage credits include "Othello" opposite Philip Seymour Hoffman, Playwrights Horizons' Off Broadway staging of "Rodney's Wife" and also the L.A. version from the Al Pacino-toplined "Salome." Just before "Heiress," Kaufman ("Bengal Tiger in the Baghdad Zoo," "I'm My Very Own Wife") will helm the Roundabout's Off Broadway revival of "The Most Popular Pursuit" early in the year. "The Heiress" was last seen around the Rialto in Lincoln subsequently Center Theater's well-received 1995 staging, which obtained four Tonys including play revival and lead actress for star Cherry Johnson. The play also offered because the foundation for the 1949 film version that won Olivia p Havilland the Oscar for the best actress. Story focuses on a shy heiress and also the conflict that arises between her and her father when she falls deeply in love with a suitor with questionable motives. Exact particulars regarding dates, theater and the size of the run still be kept in. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com