Fri Apr 18 08:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Oscar-Nominee Eisenberg’s New Musical Comedy Expands Cast

**LOS ANGELES** – Jesse Eisenberg’s highly anticipated follow-up to his Oscar-nominated film “A Real Pain” is adding star power to its already impressive lineup. Halle Bailey, Havana Rose Liu, and Bernadette Peters have joined the untitled musical comedy, which already boasts Julianne Moore, Paul Giamatti, and Eisenberg himself in leading roles.

The film, currently in production, tells the story of a shy woman (Moore) unexpectedly cast in a community theater musical, leading her to transformative lengths as she embodies her character. The ensemble cast also includes Eldar Isgandarov, Bonnie Milligan, Colton Ryan, Lilli Cooper, and Maulik Pancholy.

Eisenberg, who wrote the original music and lyrics for the film, reunites with A24 and Emma Stone’s Fruit Tree production company after their successful collaboration on “When You Finish Saving the World.” The project boasts a top-tier creative team including music supervisor Steven Gizicki (“La La Land”), executive music producer Bill Sherman (“In the Heights”), choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler (“Hamilton”), and cinematographer Drew Daniels (“Anora”). Emma Stone, Dave McCary, and Ali Herting of Fruit Tree are producing alongside Topic Studios.

This new musical comedy marks a significant step for Eisenberg, whose “A Real Pain” earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay and an Academy Award win for Kieran Culkin (Best Supporting Actor). The project is further evidence of the continued strong collaboration between A24 and Fruit Tree, who previously partnered on “I Saw the TV Glow” and “The Curse.”

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