Jim Parsons to play God in Broadway's "An Act of God"

Jim Parsons is going from a scientific nerd on CBS' "The Big Bang Theory" to a pretty big religious role - playing God.

Producers on Thursday said Parsons will star in a stage adaptation of the humor book "The Last Testament: A Memoir by God" on Broadway. The play, called "An Act of God," is adapted by its author, David Javerbaum.

Two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello, who also helmed "Wicked" and "Other Desert Cities," will direct the show, which begins performances May 5 at the Studio 54 theater.

Parsons, who won four Emmys for "The Big Bang Theory," has Broadway credits that include the comic "Harvey" and the heartbreaking "The Normal Heart" -- and he also starred in the HBO adaptation of the AIDS drama that aired last year.

Javerbaum is the Emmy Award-winning former head writer and executive producer of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart." He also co-wrote the score to the 2008 musical "Cry-Baby" and songs for the Tony Awards hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, including the tune "Broadway is Not Just for Gays Anymore."

The show is produced by Jeffrey Finn, who has produced "The Elephant Man," ''Seminar," ''Scandalous," ''Dead Accounts" and "The Realistic Joneses."