Charlie Chaplin may be remembered as one of the most iconic silent film stars of all time, and his slapstick comedy provided the inspiration for gads of goofiness that still goes on today. But life wasn’t always a ball of chuckles for Charlie, and now there’s a Broadway show that depicts what it was like to be Charlie Chaplin.

The show will come from La Jolla Playhouse where it began its initial run almost two years ago under the name Limelight: The Story of Charlie Chaplin; and it will begin previewing at the Barrymore Theater on Broadway on August 21, 2012 with an official opening booked for September 10.

The production crew includes director and choreographer, Warren Carlyle, who also worked on the La Jolla production; and it was written by composer, lyricist and writer, Christopher Curtis; and co-writer Thomas Meehan, who also has the credits of Hairspray and Annie behind his name. Producers Bob and Mindy Rich from Rich Entertainment Group will be producing the Broadway production, who are also producing the Broadway shows currently running, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Leap of Faith. There is no word on whether the cast from La Jolla will be taking part in the Broadway production.

While most know Charlie Chaplin for his comedic dance routines and his goofball idiosyncrasies, there was a lot behind the silence of the screen. This play will do a wonderful job of depicting just how much there was to Charlie Chaplin behind those silly routines, and is sure to get the rave reviews it received at La Jolla.