Jake Gyllenhaal Eyeing Broadway Debut (character based on Howard Dean)

[babylonsister]

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20042364,00.html

Jake Gyllenhaal Eyeing Broadway Debut

WEDNESDAY JUNE 13, 2007 12:00 PM EDT

By Stephen M. Silverman

Jake Gyllenhaal Photo by: Michael Germana / EverettJake Gyllenhaal Eyeing Broadway Debut | Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal is deciding whether he'll attempt to climb a peak even more treacherous than Brokeback Mountain – Broadway.

The Oscar nominee, 26, is mulling over the starring role in the political stage drama Farragut North, to open this fall, the show's producer, Jeffrey Richards, confirms to PEOPLE. Gyllenhaal's decision is expected by the end of this week.

News of Gyllenhaal's prospective Broadway debut was first reported in the New York Post, which said a private reading of the work was held last week.

Gyllenhaal would play an idealistic communications director for an unorthodox presidential candidate said to be based on 2004 Democratic candidate Howard Dean. The play's title refers to the Washington, D.C., metro stop located near the offices of several lobbyists, the Post reports.

According to The New York Times, the show's creator, Brooklyn-based Beau Willimon, 29, is "a playwright worked on Howard Dean's presidential campaign."

Gyllenhaal is himself no stranger to politics. In 2004 he participated in the Rock the Vote campaign, to help young people register to vote, and he campaigned for Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.

[mzmolly]

1. How interesting.

Thanks.:hi:

[madfloridian]

2. More from the Post link in your OP

"The actor played a young, idealistic communications director who works for an inspiring, though unorthodox, presidential candidate. During the campaign, his career is done in by more seasoned politicos who thrive on poisonous partisan politics, dirty tricks and back-stabbing."