James will succeed J. Robert Spencer in the role beginning May 17 at Broadway's Booth. As previously reported, Spencer will offer his final performance May 16. (Due to a pre-existing conflict, d'Arcy James will not be in the production July 1–11.)

Producer David Stone stated, "It is so rare for a show to have a 'full circle' moment like this — and we are thrilled to welcome him home."

Brian d'Arcy James, who was Tony-nominated for his performance in the title role of Shrek the Musical, made his Broadway debut in Blood Brothers, and his other Main Stem credits include Time Stands Still, The Apple Tree, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Carousel, Titanic and Sweet Smell of Success, earning a Tony nomination for his performance in the latter. James' Off-Broadway credits include Next to Normal as well as The Good Thief (Obie Award), The Wild Party, Ancestral Voices, Velvet Vise, Public Enemy and Floyd Collins.

Next to Normal, which was recently named the 2010 Pulitzer Prize winner for Drama, currently stars Tony Award winner Alice Ripley, Tony nominee Jennifer Damiano, Kyle Dean Massey, Adam Chanler-Berat and Louis Hobson. Michael Greif directed the rock musical by Tony Award winners Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey. Next to Normal is "a contemporary musical that explores how one suburban household copes with crisis. . . . [The musical] shows how far two parents will go to keep themselves sane and their family's world intact," according to production notes.

Next to Normal arrived on Broadway in March 2009 following an Off-Broadway run at Second Stage and a regional engagement at the Arena Stage in Washington, DC. The musical earned Tony Awards for Best Score and Best Orchestrations, as well as Best Actress for Alice Ripley.

Next to Normal currently plays the Booth Theatre. Visit NexttoNormal.