The former Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester will make her Broadway debut alongside James Franco and Chris O'Dowd in the revival of John Steinbeck's classic drama Of Mice and Men.

Leighton MeesterLeighton Meester Filming 'Gossip Girl' in New York

In what is shaping up to be the hottest Broadway ticket of 2013, Of Mice and Men will see Franco and O'Dowd take the leads in the Depression-era tale.

Meester - who began her career in regional theater - will play the role of Curley's wife, the flirtatious farm beauty who turns the head of Lennie (O'Dowd), according to the Hollywood Reporter.

As well as its all-star cast, Of Mice and Men has a glittery crew and will be directed by Tony Award winner Anna D. Shapiro and produced by David Binder. Previews begin on March 19 at the Longacre Theatre with an opening set for April 16. Tickets go on sale on January 11 for the limited engagement.

Elsewhere on Broadway's 2013-2014 season is A Raisin in the Sun, starring Denzel Washington at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (April 3). Debra Messing stars in Outside Mullingar at the Friedman (January 23) and Bryan Cranston as LBJ in All The Way at the Neil Simon theatre (March 6).

James FrancoJames Franco WIll Take The Lead in 'Of Mice and Men'

Later in the year, Zach Braff will star in Woody Allen's Bullets of Broadway opening on April 10 at the St James Theatre, Neil Patrick Harrison stars in Hedwig and the Angry Inch opening April 22 at the Belasco and Michelle Williams and Alan Cumming will tackle Cabaret from April 24 at Studio 54.

Of Mice and Men was last seen on Broadway almost 40 years ago, in 1974. That performance starred Kevin Conway as George and James Earl Jones as Lennie. It was adapted for the screen in 1939 with Burgess Meredith and Lon Chaney Jr and in 1992 with Gary Sinise and John Malkovich. 

Chris O'DowdChris O'Dowd Will Star Alongside James Franco and Leighton Meester