Donna Hanover Joins Cast of Broadway’s ‘The Best Man’

Former First Lady of New York Donna Hanover will make her Broadway debut when she joins the revival of “Gore Vidal’s The Best Man” later this spring. As a case of art imitating life, the journalist will play a presidential campaign reporter in the play.

Hanover, who was married to Rudy Guiliani during his term as the mayor of New York City, has previously acted in Off Broadway plays like “Picked,” as well as in films and television shows. She and Guiliani were divorced in 2002. Previous to her acting experience, Hanover worked as a broadcast news reporter, and she continues to act as a reporter for a program on CUNY TV, an educational-access station in New York City.

Hanover’s first prominent acting role came when she appeared in The People vs. Larry Flynt in 1996. Following that work, she appeared in many television shows including “Law & Order,” “Sex and the City,” “Ally McBeal” and “The Practice.” She also played the lead role in “The Vagina Monologues” beginning in April 2000. Hanover has hosted shows on the Food Network and the Fine Living cable channel, and also has worked extensively in radio broadcasting.

“The Best Man” originally premiered in 1960 and ran for over a year. It was revived in 2001, and was nominated for Tony Awards in both years. The play follows the actions of two presidential candidates, who will be played in the newest revival by John Larroquette and Eric McCormick. Larroquette won a Tony this year for “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” and McCormick is an Emmy award-winning actor for his work on “Will and Grace.” Also starring in the play are James Earl Jones, Angela Lansbury, Candice Bergen and Michael McKean. The play will run at the Gerald Schoenfield Theater with preview performances beginning March 6 and an opening on April 1.