Houdyshell Itching to Reprise Steppenwolf Role Off-BroadwayAs previously reported, the Bruce Norris play
The Pain And The Itch -- first produced last year at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre -- is set for its New York debut beginning September 1 at the Mainstage Theater of Playwrights Horizons. The official opening of this emotionally-charged comedy that centers on class and race relations is set for September 26.
The great news is that the outstanding Jayne Houdyshell (Tony-nominated this year in
Well) is set to reprise her memorable role as the concerned mother/grandmother. Anna D. Shapiro will once again direct. Not only did Houdyshell win Chicago theatre's Jefferson Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work in
The Pain And The Itch last year (see photo), but the production itself was nominated for Best New Play.
The Off-Broadway cast will also include Mia Barron, Aya Cash, Peter Jay Fernandez, Reg Rogers and Christopher Evan Welch, as well as Ada-Marie L. Guitierrez and Nora Markus alternating in the role of the play's seemingly endangered child.
Houdyshell alone makes this a production worth seeing, but I've also been delighted by the talented Welch, first catching him as a troubled Vietnam vet in another Norris play (
Purple Heart at Steppenwolf in 2002), and then again Off-Broadway in Woody Allen's
Writer's Block during 2003. His creepy characterizations are an artform all unto themselves.
I'm thrilled that this show is finally getting the New York audience it deserves.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for ticket information.Related Stories:The Pain And The Itch Slated for New York Run (June 7, 2006)
SOB’s Best of 2005-06: #4 – A Blameless Life (Steppenwolf Garage, Chicago, IL) (May 24, 2006)
Flashback: Best of 2002-03 (May 24, 2006)
Labels: Off-Broadway, Play, Steppenwolf, The Pain And The Itch, Well
Well, Well, Well, If It Isn't Boston...Great news for everyone -- including me -- who missed the critically-acclaimed production of Lisa Kron's
Well, which died a premature Broadway death despite reaping key Tony nominations. The inventive play will be part of the 2006-07 theatre season at The Huntington Theatre Company in Boston beginning next March.
This prestigious theatrical company, begun in 1982 as the theatre in residence for Boston University, has an ambitious season in store for subscribers, including:
- August Wilson’s Radio Golf in what's being described as a prelude to a Broadway run (September 8-October 8, 2006)
- The world premiere of Theresa Rebeck's Mauritius (October 6-November 12, 2006)
- The Tony-nominated Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire (November 3-December 3, 2006)
- The Anton Chekhov classic, The Cherry Orchard with Kate Burton as Madame Ranevsky (January 5-February 4, 2007)
- Well (March 5-April 4, 2007)
- The Nicholas Martin-helmed Persephone (March 30-May 6, 2007)
- Streamers by David Rabe and directed by the ubiquitous Scott Ellis (May 18-June 17, 2007)
You can bet Boston will figure into my travel plans during the next year.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for The Huntington Theatre Company ticket information.
Related Stories:
All Is Not Well On Broadway (May 8, 2006)
Labels: Huntington Theatre, Lisa Kron, Play, Rabbit Hole, Radio Golf, Touring Production, Well
All Is Not Well On BroadwayAn outpouring of critical raves was not enough to keep Lisa Kron's Well alive on Broadway, now scheduled to close on May 14 -- two days before the Tony nominations are announced.
This is perhaps the one play of the year I truly regret not having had an opportunity to see, not only for its innovative approach to story-telling, but also for the pure delight of seeing Jayne Houdyshell perform. Less than a year ago, I took in Steppenwolf's production of The Pain And The Itch in Chicago and found Houdyshell to be the most compelling cast member in an amazing ensemble. Let's just hope that despite Well's closing, the Tony committee will see fit to provide this show the respect it's earned. Or in the very least, nominate Houdyshell.
Click here for tickets.
Labels: Broadway, Jayne Houdyshell, Lisa Kron, Play, The Pain And The Itch, Tony Nominations, Well
