Jake Gyllenhaal's Broadway Debut

NEW YORK CITY, NY -- Jake Gyllenhaal may be making his Broadway debut this fall in a new play loosely based on Howard Dean's 2004 campaign for the White House. Gyllenhaal, who received an Oscar nomination for his role in "Brokeback Mountain," took part in a hush-hush reading last week of Beau Willimon's "Farragut North."

The actor read the role of a young, idealistic communications director who works for a presidential candidate, New York Post reports. During the campaign, his career is done in by more seasoned politicos.

Willimon worked for Dean during the 2004 presidential race. He also worked on Chuck Schumer's 1998 U.S. Senate race, Hillary Clinton's 2000 Senate race and Bill Bradley's 2000 presidential bid.

Gyllenhaal acquitted himself well. A source said, "He was handsome and charming, very compelling in the role."

The actor will decide by the end of the week if he wants the role.