James Earl Jones to Star in Scott Ellis-Helmed YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU

[Will42]

According to the New York Times, James Earl Jones will return to Broadway later this year- this time in the Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy You Can't Take It With You. The play will open at a Shubert theatre on September 28, 2014, with previews beginning in August. Scott Ellis is set to direct the revival.

Additional casting has not yet been announced.

George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart's three-act play YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU originally opened on Broadway at the Booth Theater in 1936. It went on to win the 1937 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The subsequent screen adaptation won the Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director. Ellis Rabb also mounted a Broadway revival in 1983, starring Jason Robards, Colleen Dewhurst, George Rose and Elizabeth Wilson.

Among Jones's many Broadway credits are Driving Miss Daisy, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, On Golden Pond, Fences, MASTER HAROLD ... and the boys, Othello, A Lesson From Aloes, Paul Robeson, Of Mice and Men, The Iceman Cometh, Les Blancs, The Great White Hope, A Hand Is on the Gate, Danton's Death, Infidel Caesar, The Cool World and Sunrise at Campobello. He won Tony Awards for his performances in Fences and The Great White Hope.

Jones will next appear on the big screen in The Angriest Man in Brooklyn and Starbright. His recent film credits include Gimme Shelter, Jack and the Beanstalk, Click and more. He is also well known for his voicework as Darth Vader in the Star Wars series and Mufasa in The Lion King. Jones has also won three Emmy Awards and received an Honorary Academy Award in 2011.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/James-Earl-Jones-to-Star-in-Scott-Ellis-Helmed-YOU-CANT-TAKE-IT-WITH-YOU-on-Broadway-Opens-928-20140424#.U1lu__l_uSo

[Gothampc]

While I'm happy he's returning to Broadway, I wish it were in a better show. You Can't Take It With You is an ensemble piece and JEJ deserves a better role. I wish they had done a production with him of The Man Who Came To Dinner.

[PalJoey]

This could be wonderful! The Ellis Rabb production with Rosemary Harris and Colleen Dewhurst was one of the most enchanting productions of anything I have ever seen.

Scott Ellis has the perfect touch for this, and James Earl Jones will be phenomenal in the role Jason Robards played!

[Will42]

At 83, he might not want to carry a show on his on anymore.
He was absolutely wonderful and full of energy in Australian production of Driving Miss Daisy last year, but West End's Much Ado About Nothing was not a success by any means, unfortunately.

[Will42]

Dame Angela Lansbury said a couple of months ago that she and Jones are in talks to do another project together so I assumed that he might be playing the judge in The Chalk Garden. But I guess that's no longer happening, at least not this fall.
Or perhaps she was in talks to play the Grand Duchess Olga Katrina, but I kinda doubt it.

[PalJoey]

She would be wonderful as Olga!

[themysteriousgrowl]

But he's BLACK.

[JoeKv99]

What bizarre casting! I always see GRANDPA as a shambling, deceptively meek guy who manages to triumph over much more forceful foes- it will be interesting to see an actor of Jones power in that role.

[CurtainPullDowner]

I think Jones will be perfect in this role.
Though the character assumes a dotty personality he is the smartest guy in the bunch.
And so many character roles. Love to see Carol Kane as his daughter, Penny.

[zepka102]

He'll be fantastic, as expected.

Can't wait to hear the rest of the cast. I played Tony a few years ago and LOVED it. I would love to play him again...

[AC126748]

Jones perfectly balanced strength and understatement in DRIVING MISS DAISY, and I can see him doing the same here.

[PalJoey]

Jason Robards didn't play the role like that at all. There are used copies of the production on video. It's worth the price.


You Can't Take It With You [VHS] (1984) Jason Robards, Colleen Dewhurst

[dramamama611]

Very exciting! Hope I get a chance to see this.

While I'd be fine with an all (or mostly) black cast, I wonder if they will go with color-blind casting. Could add to the zaniness.

[Gothampc]

I hear Audra McDonald is interpolating bits of dialogue into "Lady Day" so producers get used to the idea that she will be part of this show.

[CurtainPullDowner]

This would be a perfect show to do all kinds of casting, they are a family of eccentrics with friends of all types.

[PalJoey]

I don't get that.

[broadwaybabytn]

"Jones perfectly balanced strength and understatement in DRIVING MISS DAISY, and I can see him doing the same here."

I thought that was one of the stronger parts of his performance, which I didn't care for on the whole.

[South Fl Marc]

"This could be wonderful! The Ellis Rabb production with Rosemary Harris and Colleen Dewhurst was one of the most enchanting productions of anything I have ever seen."

It wasn't Rosemary Harris it was Elizabeth Wilson (and she was perfect in the part).

[Patash]

Maybe someone's confused as Rosemary Harris played Alice in the 1965 revival of You Can't Take It With You, also directed by Rabb (who was also her husband at the time).

[Reginald Tresilian]

Rosemary Harris was in a telecast of "The Royal Family," also directed by Ellis Rabb.

[tom2000a]

I saw the Rosemary Harris- Sam Levine- Eva Le Galleinne- Production of The Royal Family on Broadway and it's still one of my favorite nights EVER in the theatre. The taping of it is quite good but it wasn't the same as seeing it live. You Can't Take it With You with Jason Robarts was filmed on the stage LIVE and it worked much better. It's a great, great production of the play. I think it is probably one the best comedies ever written... or even the best. It is to Comedy what Our Town is to Drama. I am really looking forward to this production. I think JEJones will be really wonderful. It is an interesting subject as to how they will racially cast the rest of the show. It's also one of those period plays where they have a black maid.. Rheba. She has a boyfriend, who is also black... his name is Donald. Grandpa has a scene with Donald where they talk about people on welfare. It always made me a little uncomfortable. I wonder how they will handle that with Jones as Grandpa. They may not use the word "welfare" but they are talking about public assistance. Elizabeth Wilson was wonderful as Penny. I am trying to think who could get it right. And the rest of the loveable weirdos as well. It should be a really fun show to cast.

[NYC4Life]

"It's also one of those period plays where they have a black maid.. Rheba. She has a boyfriend, who is also black... his name is Donald. Grandpa has a scene with Donald where they talk about people on welfare. It always made me a little uncomfortable. I wonder how they will handle that with Jones as Grandpa. They may not use the word "welfare" but they are talking about public assistance. "

You do realize that there have been black people who have had black maids, right? Also, I am sure many black people have talked about welfare with each other.

[PalJoey]

Of course! It was Elizabeth Wilson!

[Patash]

"You do realize that there have been black people who have had black maids, right? Also, I am sure many black people have talked about welfare with each other."

Apparently you aren't familiar with the play, or at least that scene. You're missing the point entirely!

[henrikegerman]

Together again suggestion for Penny: Jane Alexander.