RIALTO CHATTER: T.R. Knight Officially Attached To 'TENOR', Tucci To Direct, Opening On Broadway February, 2010

Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello has now confirmed that Grey's Anatomy star T.R. Knight will star in a Broadway revival of Lend Me a Tenor. The production will be directed by Stanley Tucci and is looking at a February, 2010 Broadway opening. Additional casting will be announced in the coming weeks.

Knight was recently announced to headline Center Theatre Group's production of PARADE. Knight will star as Leo Frank in the production, which begins previews on September 24, 2009, at the CTG/Mark Taper Forum. PARADE is scheduled to open October 4 and performances will continue through November 15.

"War Atlanta, Georgia. Mary Phagan, a 13-year-old factory worker, has been murdered on the day of the 1913 Confederate Memorial Day parade. Frank (Knight), the factory's superintendent and a Jewish outsider, is immediately cast as a suspect. As the media frenzy ensues, with journalists thirsting for news to boost circulations and ambitious politicians seeking votes, Frank - the transplanted Yankee - becomes the scapegoat. His wife, Lucille, passionately works for her husband's release from jail but public hatred continues to rise to a fever pitch. Despite the terrible circumstance, Leo and Lucille find a renewed commitment to each other as well as a moment of transcendent grace in their tragedy."

To read our full article on CTG's PARADE, click here.

Ausiello first reported that Grey's Anatomy star T.R. Knight, who is departing the hit ABC drama, was eyeing a return to the stage; the Broadway stage to be exact.

Knight, a Rialto veteran, has had his "gently" public wish to be released from his contract granted.

Ausiello revealed that the theatrically-trained actor is in talks to start his 2010 off by headlining a Broadway revival of Lend Me a Tenor, the classic farce he recently did a reading of with Alfred Molina, Tony Shalhoub, and Marian Seldes. To read the full EW report click here.

Lend Me a Tenor is a grand comedy by Ken Ludwig. The play has been translated into sixteen languages and produced in twenty-five countries.

It is a popular choice of regional theatre companies and community theatre groups. The play earned eight Tony Award nominations, winning one for Best Actor.