Steve On Broadway (SOB)

Public Theater's Mother Courage Opens Tonight in Central Park

Public Theater's Mother Courage Opens Tonight in Central Park

Tonight marks the official "world premiere" of Tony Kushner's adaptation of the classic Bertolt Brecht anti-war drama Mother Courage and Her Children at Central Park's Delacorte Theater. Not since Meryl Streep graced New York's unique outdoor venue has there been such an outpouring of interest in the Public Theater's free Shakespeare in the Park performances. It's no coincidence that this latest production also stars Streep -- who in Mother Courage's titular role seeks to make a profit from the same Thirty Years War that is killing her children.

The George C. Wolfe-helmed production of Mother Courage and Her Children will be performed through September 3. In addition to Streep, the cast includes Kevin Kline, Jack Noseworthy, Austin Pendleton and Frederick Weller.

The New York Times' Manny Fernandez yesterday painted an interesting perspective on the secondary drama being played out each evening in the line that's been forming in Central Park among those seeking the coveted event tickets.

For anyone traveling into New York from out of town with hopes of seeing the play, perhaps the best bet is to make a 100% tax deductible donation to the Public Theater of $150 per ticket. The Public Theater notes that "To help underwrite production expenses and to make it possible for those who cannot wait in line to attend the theater, a specific (but limited) number of seats in alternate rows are made available to contributors for each performance. Tickets for contributors are reserved and are received in advance by mail."

Tomorrow, I'll be reporting on how the critics weigh in on this theatrical event.

This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).

Click here for ticket information.
Related Stories:
Walken Away from Public Courage (July 13, 2006)
Public Theater's 2006 Shakespeare in the Park Officially Starts (June 30, 2006)
The Public Theater at 50 (June 5, 2006)

Labels: Meryl Streep, Mother Courage And Her Children, Musical, Off-Broadway, Opening Night, Public Theater

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Monday, August 21, 2006