Steve On Broadway (SOB)

Heartbreak House Revival Settles Into Great White Way Home Tonight

Heartbreak House Settles Into Great White Way Home Tonight

It's been nearly 23 years since George Bernard Shaw's comedy Heartbreak House was last seen on Broadway. But one of the 1983-84 production's featured actors, Philip Bosco, has graduated to a leading role as Captain Shotover in the Roundabout Theatre Company's revival opening this evening at the American Airlines Theatre. Under Robin Lefèvre's direction, Bosco will be joined by Swoosie Kurtz, Byron Jennings and Lily Rabe.

Bosco received a Tony nomination in 1984 for his portrayal of Boss Mangan alongside castmates Rex Harrison, Rosemary Harris and Dana Ivey, each of whom also received Tony nods. That production was mounted at the Circle in the Square Theatre for a total of 65 regular performances.

The Roundabout revival marks the fifth time over the last century that a production of Heartbreak House has been presented on Broadway. The first time was in 1920 at the Garrick Theatre where it ran for 125 performances. The first revival logged 48 performances in 1938 at the renowned Mercury Theatre started by Orson Welles and John Houseman; Welles not only directed Heartbreak House, but he also starred in it as Captain Shotover alongside mere twenty-somethings Vincent Price and Geraldine Page. It would be another 21 years before the next revival came in 1959 at the Billy Rose Theatre for 112 performances with theatre legend Maurice Evans producing and starring as Captain Shotover.

Will critics be receptive to the latest incarnation? We'll know more in less than 24 hours.

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Labels: Broadway, Heartbreak House, Opening Night, Play, Revival

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Wednesday, October 11, 2006