Leap of Faith (musical)

Leap of Faith
Broadway Playbill cover
Music	Alan Menken
Lyrics	Glenn Slater
Book	Janus Cercone, Glenn Slater
Basis	1992 Film Leap of Faith
Productions	2010 Los Angeles 2012 Broadway (St. James Theatre)

Leap of Faith is a stage musical based on the 1992 American movie of the same name, which starred Steve Martin. The music is by Alan Menken, with lyrics by Glenn Slater and a book by Janus Cercone and Slater about a con man posing as a man of faith, who is redeemed by the love of a good woman.

The musical premiered in September 2010 in Los Angeles for a limited run through October, directed and choreographed by Rob Ashford. The musical opened on Broadway in April 2012.

A workshop was held in May 2008, with Taylor Hackford directing. The cast included Raul Esparza as Jonas Nightengale and Elizabeth Stanley as Marva McGowan. At the time, producer Tom Viertel said :"As with any productive workshop of a new musical, we learned a lot about 'Leap of Faith' last month, including what works well and what needs work. But we have no plans and have made no decisions to alter the creative team in any way whatsoever."

Another workshop was held in New York in early 2010, with Sutton Foster and a new director, Rob Ashford.

Leap of Faith, with Rob Ashford as director and choreographer, made its world premiere at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. Previews commenced on September 11, 2010, opening night was on October 3, with the run ending October 24.

The show opened on Broadway at the St. James Theatre in previews on April 3, 2012, officially on April 26. Raul Esparza, Jessica Phillips and Kendra Kassebaum played the lead roles, with direction by Christopher Ashley and choreography by Sergio Trujillo. The book was revised by Warren Leight. Menken discussed the style of the songs: "Menken told Playbill.com that his score is flavored with the sounds of gospel, country and American roots music."