Orlando Bloom will star as one-half of William Shakespeare's immortal pair of star-crossed lovers in "Romeo and Juliet" in a new Broadway production.
The production, directed by five-time Tony Award nominee David Leveaux ("Nine"), will mark the Broadway debut of "The Lord of the Rings" star and will also be the first time the tragic romance has hit the Great White Way in 36 years. Bloom will co-star alongside Tony Award nominee Condola Rashad ("Stick Fly").
The play also will star two-time Tony Award nominee Jayne Houdyshell as the Nurse and Tony Award nominee Joe Morton as Lord Capulet.
At 36, Bloom will be a slightly more senior Romeo. Although Shakespeare never gives an age for the young Montague, Juliet is 13 years old in the play. Romeo is usually portrayed as a young adult.
Also read: Elizabeth Olsen to Play Juliet in Off-Broadway Production of 'Romeo & Juliet'
Bloom may have been fetal when preparations were underway to bring the last Broadway revival of "Romeo and Juliet" to Broadway, but the love story is experiencing a dramatic resurgence in interest. Last month, the Classic Theatre Company announced that it will kick off its 2013-14 season with a production of "Romeo and Juliet" starring indie film darling Elizabeth Olsen ("Martha Marcy May Marlene")
Bloom most recently starred in an update of "The Three Musketeers" and will next be seen in "Zulu." He will don his blond wig once again to reprise his role as the elf Legolas in "The Hobbit: There and Back Again."
The show will open on Broadway on Sept. 19 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Preview performances will begin on Aug. 24.
The show's producers said further casting and additional creative team members will be announced at a later date.