BWW Flashback: THE ELEPHANT MAN Concludes Broadway Run Tonight; Cooper Heads to the Oscars!

Bradley Cooper, who leads Broadway's The Elephant Man, has earned a 2015 Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and Best Picture for the film American Sniper. To allow Mr. Cooper to attend the award ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 22, The Elephant Man plays its final Broadway performance tonight, February 21, at Broadway's Booth Theatre (222 West 45th Street, NYC). In honor of closing night, BroadwayWorld flashes back to the show's journey to Broadway below!

Based on the real life of Joseph Merrick, The Elephant Man tells the story of a 19th-century British man (Cooper) who became a star of the traveling freak show circuit. When the renowned Dr. Treves (Nivola) takes Merrick under his care, he is astonished by the man's brilliant intelligence, unshakable faith and, most of all, his resounding desire for love and understanding. He introduces Merrick to the beautiful actress Mrs. Kendal (Clarkson), who is deeply touched by this pure and genuine soul. As a complex friendship blossoms among the three, Treves and Kendal struggle to protect Merrick from a world of questionable intentions... and so begins a story of love as unique as "The Elephant Man" himself.

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In August 2012, the play opened at Williamstown Theatre Festival:

Photo Credit: T. Charles Erickson

Alessandro Nivola

Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper and Alessandro Nivola

Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper and Alessandro Nivola

Shuler Hensley, Henry Stram, and Alessandro Nivola

Henry Stram and Alessandro Nivola

Patricia Clarkson

Bradley Cooper and Patricia Clarkson

The company

Bradley Cooper, Alessandro Nivola, and Patricia Clarkson

Bradley Cooper

Alessandro Nivola, Bradley Cooper (background) and Henry Stram (foreground)

Bradley Cooper and Patricia Clarkson

Bradley Cooper and Shuler Hensley

Bradley Cooper and Shuler Hensley

Shuler Hensley

Bradley Cooper and Alessandro Nivola

Shuler Hensley

Bradley Cooper

Henry Stram and Alessandro Nivola

Bradley Cooper and Patricia Clarkson

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In January 2014, official word came that the play would move to Broadway later in the year:

Photo Credit: Walter McBride

Theatre Marquee unveiling for 'The Elephant Man' starring Bradley Cooper, Patricia Clarkson and Alessandro Nivola at the Booth Theatre in New York City.

'The Elephant Man'

'The Elephant Man'

'The Elephant Man'

'The Elephant Man'

'The Elephant Man'

'The Elephant Man'

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The company began rehearsals in Fall 2014:

Photo Credit: Walter McBride

'The Elephant Man'

'The Elephant Man'

Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper

Alessandro Nivola

Alessandro Nivola

Patricia Clarkson

Patricia Clarkson

Patricia Clarkson

Patricia Clarkson

Bradley Cooper, Patricia Clarkson and Alessandro Nivola

Bradley Cooper, Patricia Clarkson and Alessandro Nivola

Bradley Cooper, Patricia Clarkson and Alessandro Nivola

Bradley Cooper, Patricia Clarkson and Alessandro Nivola

Bradley Cooper, Patricia Clarkson and Alessandro Nivola

Bradley Cooper, Patricia Clarkson and Alessandro Nivola

Bradley Cooper and director Scott Ellis

Bradley Cooper and director Scott Ellis

Alessandro Nivola

Bradley Cooper, Director Scott Ellis, Patricia Clarkson and Alessandro Nivola

Bradley Cooper, Director Scott Ellis, Patricia Clarkson and Alessandro Nivola

Bradley Cooper, Director Scott Ellis, Patricia Clarkson and Alessandro Nivola

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Performances began on November 7 at the Booth Theatre:

Photo credit: Walter McBride