The Heiress, Ruth and Augustus Goetz' award winning 1947 drama based on Henry James' 1880 novel, Washington Square, is in 2015 a tired, tedious, and entirely predictable chestnut. Theatre Artists Studio, which has had its share of theatrical wins this year, has not fared well in resurrecting it to the fiery psychological drama and social critique that the promos have proclaimed it to be.
THE HEIRESS, Ruth and Augustus Goetz's 1947 adaptation of Henry James' WASHINGTON SQUARE and currently occupying the Lohrey Stage at Theatre Memphis, has had a long and steady run on stages throughout the world - and why not? Tightly corseted, polite to a fault, and observing proprieties, this intelligently written script captures the essence of the James source material without the convoluted, complex sentences that, alas, repel many readers. As tautly drawn as the material on one of the samplers for which its heroine is noted, when one of the characters punctuates the prevailing politeness with a barbed or telling line of dialogue, it's as if a sharp and jagged blade suddenly ripped through the fabric of the needlework itself. All this play needs for a successful run is a handsome set, period costumes - and four or five gifted players.
Goodman Theatre's production of Lerner and Loewe's 1947 musical Brigadoon lovingly pays homage to the tradition of classic American musical theatre while also retaining a sense of exuberance and delight. Helmed by director and choreographer Rachel Rockwell, this production does not shy away from spectacle and largely has the talent to back it up. The show preserves Lerner and Loewe's lush music and lyrics with an updated book by Brian Hill that provides an even sense of pacing and storyline.
Dear Bookworks Bookworm,
I read a book this month that I had every intention of liking, but didn't. It had a story line that interested me but the characters were one dimensional and flat and the writing that was not worth writing home about. Rather than review a book that disappoints, I decided to review a movie that I had just seen with Clive Owen and Juliette Binoche, Words and Pictures. This is a movie well worth the ticket price. It is always a pleasure seeing a movie where actors do what they should be doing best, acting and where writers are doing what they should be doing best, writing.
Last weekend I saw the classic play The Heiress, about Catherine, a wealthy heiress lacking in social graces with a stern father and an unexpected suitor. I was having a hard time wrapping my head around the play until I had a sudden revelation the next morning - Catherine is Mad Men's Peggy. The Heiress is all about Catherine reclaiming her power, even if it comes at the expense of her own happiness.
After 64 years, Palo Alto Players is delighted to welcome The Heiress back to its stage. Inspired by the Henry James novel Washington Square, and written by Ruth and Augustus Goetz, this lush and epic drama is a story of wealth, class, and the true cost of love. Directed by Dennis Lickteig, The Heiress is truly timeless, winning Tony Awards in 1947 and 1995. It will run for 11 performances (tongiht, January 17-February 2, 2014) at the Lucie Stern Theater, located at 1305 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto.
After 64 years, Palo Alto Players is delighted to welcome The Heiress back to its stage. Inspired by the Henry James novel Washington Square, and written by Ruth and Augustus Goetz, this lush and epic drama is a story of wealth, class, and the true cost of love. Directed by Dennis Lickteig, The Heiress is truly timeless, winning Tony Awards in 1947 and 1995. It will run for 11 performances (January 17-February 2, 2014) at the Lucie Stern Theater, located at 1305 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto.
Artistic Director Bain Boehlke today announced the Jungle's 2014 season, continuing the theater's trademark presentation of timeless classics drawn from a rich theatrical heritage, as well as recent acclaimed works. The diverse line-up features the regional premieres of an imaginative one-woman play as well as the 2013 Obie Award-winning Best New Play, a rare Tony Award-winning American masterpiece from 1947, a reprise of a high-camp, over-the-top farce (back by popular demand!) and a touching multigenerational tale.
Roundabout Theatre Company presents The Winslow Boy, starring Tony nominee Michael Cumpsty as 'Desmond Curry', Academy & Tony Award nominee Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as 'Grace Winslow', Alessandro Nivola as 'Sir Robert Morton' and Tony Award winner Roger Rees as 'Arthur Winslow'.
La Jolla Playhouse announces a fifth production for its 2013/14 season: the world premiere of The Tallest Tree, a new play with music written and performed by Daniel Beaty (Emergency, Through the Night), directed by Moises Kaufman (I Am My Own Wife, The Laramie Project). A co-production with Kansas City Repertory Theatre, The Tallest Tree will run in The Playhouse's Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre tonight, October 9 - November 3, 2013. The piece is produced in association with Tectonic Theater Project.
Roundabout Theatre Company presents The Winslow Boy, starring Tony nominee Michael Cumpsty as 'Desmond Curry', Academy & Tony Award nominee Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as 'Grace Winslow', Alessandro Nivola as 'Sir Robert Morton' and Tony Award winner Roger Rees as 'Arthur Winslow'.
Roundabout Theatre Company has announced the Broadway cast of The Winslow Boy, starring Tony nominee Michael Cumpsty as 'Desmond Curry', Academy & Tony Award nominee Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as 'Grace Winslow', Alessandro Nivola as 'Sir Robert Morton' and Tony Award winner Roger Rees as 'Arthur Winslow'.
Nominations in 26 competitive categories for THE 67th ANNUAL TONY AWARDS were announced today by stage and screen actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Tony Award-winning actress Sutton Foster at the Tony Award Nominations Announcement.
Bringing together an outstanding, large cast with a world-class artistic team, Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd directs Aaron Sorkin's A Few Good Men. This epic production brings this captivating military courtroom drama to life. A Few Good Men runs tonight, March 1 through March 24, 2013, on the Hubbard Stage.
Bringing together an outstanding, large cast with a world-class artistic team, Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd directs Aaron Sorkin's A Few Good Men. This epic production brings this captivating military courtroom drama to life. A Few Good Men runs March 1 through March 24, 2013, on the Hubbard Stage.
La Jolla Playhouse announces a fifth production for its 2013/14 season: the world premiere of The Tallest Tree, a new play with music written and performed by Daniel Beaty (Emergency, Through the Night), directed by Moises Kaufman (I Am My Own Wife, The Laramie Project). A co-production with Kansas City Repertory Theatre, The Tallest Tree will run in the Playhouse's Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre October 9 - November 3, 2013. The piece is produced in association with Tectonic Theater Project.
The new Broadway revival of The Heiress will play its final performance, having recouped its $3 million capitalization, tonight, February 9, at Broadway's Walter Kerr Theatre. The Heiress will have played 27 previews and 117 regular performances. BroadwayWorld takes you back through The Heiress' opening on Broadway below!
The producers of the new Broadway revival of THE HEIRESS have just announced that the production will recoup its $3 million capitalization during the final week of performances. The final performance is on Saturday, February 9th at 7:00 p.m. (note the new early curtain time) at Broadway's Walter Kerr Theatre (219 W. 48th St. NYC). THE HEIRESS will have played 27 previews and 117 regular performances.
The producers of the new Broadway revival of THE HEIRESS have announced that the production will now play its final performance on Saturday, February 9 at 7:00 p.m. (note the new early curtain time). The previously scheduled Sunday, February 10 closing performance has been cancelled to enable Jessica Chastain, who plays the title character, to attend the BAFTA Awards (the British equivalent to the Academy Awards) where she is nominated for Best Actress on Sunday, February 10th in London. Ms. Chastain is nominated for an Academy Award and has already received Golden Globe and Critics Choice Awards for her performance in the film Zero Dark Thirty. THE HEIRESS is currently playing at Broadway's Walter Kerr Theatre (219 W. 48th St. NYC).
The hit Broadway revival of The Heiress has partnered with GoldDerby.com on an exclusive sweepstakes where fans can enter to win round trip air travel for two to New York City, a two night stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton Metropolitan and a pair of tickets to The Heiress, plus a backstage tour of the Walter Kerr Theatre. For more information, go to www.goldderby.com/news/3804/the-heiress-contest-broadway.html.
The Heiress' Jessica Chastain & Dan Stevens will appear on ABC's "Good Morning America" tomorrow, Thursday, September 8th between 8:30AM-9:00AM on channel 7. Jessica Chastain will also appear on ABC's "The View" tomorrow between 11:00AM-12 noon on channel 7. Check local listings.
The new Broadway production of the Tony Award winning play The Heiress began previews on October 6th and will open tonight, November 1st at the Walter Kerr Theatre (219 West 48th St.). The show will play a limited run through February 10, 2013. Let's see what the critics had to say...
Opening night is tonight for the new Broadway production of The Heiress. The Heiress stars Academy Award nominee Jessica Chastain as Catherine Sloper, Academy Award nominee and Emmy Award winner David Strathairn as Dr. Austin Sloper, the leading man of "Downton Abbey" Dan Stevens as Morris Townsend and Tony Award winner Judith Ivey as Lavinia Penniman. Written by Ruth & Augustus Goetz, The Heiress is directed by two-time Tony Award nominated playwright and director Moises Kaufman.
The producers of the Broadway production of the Academy and Tony Award winning play The Heiress have just announced that the box office at the Walter Kerr Theatre (219 W. 48th St. NYC) is now open and preview performances will begin one day earlier on Saturday, October 6 at 8 p.m.
The producers of The Heiress have just announced full casting for the Broadway-bound production that stars Academy Award nominee Jessica Chastain, Academy Award nominee and Emmy Award winner David Strathairn, the leading man of "Downton Abbey" Dan Stevens and Tony Award winner Judith Ivey. Written by Ruth & Augustus Goetz, The Heiress will be directed by Tony Award nominated playwright and director Moises Kaufman. Tickets go on sale to the general public today, August 27.
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