Wit 1998 - Articles Page 3

Opened: September 19, 1998

Wit - 1998 - Off-Broadway History , Info & More

MCC Theater
511 West 52nd St New York, NY 10019

Wit, a one-act play written by Margaret Edson, is a powerful and poignant exploration of mortality and the human spirit in the face of terminal illness. Debuting in 1995, Wit quickly garnered critical acclaim for its insightful writing and raw emotional impact. In 1999, it was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, solidifying its place as a significant work of contemporary theatre.



The play centers around Vivian Bearing, a brilliant but emotionally reserved professor of Donne poetry, diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer. As Vivian undergoes aggressive treatment, the audience witnesses her grapple with mortality, her strained relationship with her students and colleagues, and the search for meaning in her final days.



While cancer is a central element in the play, Wit transcends the confines of a medical drama. It delves into themes of human connection, the power of language, and the enduring search for intellectual and emotional fulfillment.

Wit - 1998 - Off-Broadway Cast

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Wit - 1998 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 3

Ensemble Studio Theatre and The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Announce 2021 Artist Cultivation Event and EST/Sloan Project Commissions
by Stephi Wild - Nov 23, 2021


Ensemble Studio Theatre (EST) (William Carden, Artistic Director), along with The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation (Doron Weber, Vice-President and Program Director) and the EST/Sloan Project, announced today the 2021 Fall Artist Cultivation Event for the EST/Sloan Project.

Margaret Edson's Pulitzer Prize-Winning WIT Is Next For The Ensemble Company
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 17, 2021


The Ensemble Company, the theatre company in residence at Penguin Point Productions located in the Oviedo Mall, follows its recent acclaimed production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Clybourne Park with another winner of the prestigious prize, Margaret Edson's W;t.

Helen McCrory, In Admiring, Awestruck Memory
by Matt Wolf - Apr 19, 2021


No death of course is easy to absorb, especially one as premature and shocking as that of Helen McCrory, whose surrender to cancer late last week, age 52, came like the most brutal and sudden of thunderclaps. The announcement was made via Twitter on Friday by her husband, Damian Lewis, and I doubt I’m the only one who reacted with moist-eyed disbelief.

Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristin Davis To Star In SEX AND THE CITY Spinoff AND JUST LIKE THAT...
by Stephi Wild - Jan 10, 2021


A New Chapter of 'Sex and the City” Executive Produced by Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon HBO Max has given a series order to AND JUST LIKE THAT..., a new chapter of the groundbreaking HBO series, “Sex and the City.'

BWW Review: DON JUAN IN HELL at Washington Stage Guild
by Barbara Trainin Blank - Nov 26, 2020


Wit, wisdom, and sometimes overpowering verbosity fill George Bernard Shaws’ Don Juan In Hell, the dream sequence contained within the third act of the Irish playwright’s Man and Superman and sometime performed independently.

Richard Dreyfuss and Marsha Mason to Star in Virtual Staged Reading of THE LETTERS OF NOËL COWARD
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 3, 2020


Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts has announced the virtual staged reading of The Letters of Noël Coward, directed by Bob Balaban, on Tuesday, August 25, at 8 p.m.

Exclusive: Audra McDonald Sings 'Down With Love' as Part of The Seth Concert Series; Re-Airs Today at 3pm
by Stephi Wild - Jul 13, 2020


Seth Rudetsky's internationally acclaimed Broadway concert series that first began in Provincetown at The Art House in 2011 is now a weekly virtual series titled The Seth Concert Series.

Irish Rep Announces New MEET THE MAKERS Conversations and Schedule Changes to Summer Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 9, 2020


Irish Repertory Theatre announced today upcoming editions of their online series Meet the Makers. A digital series of conversations with scholars and Irish Rep artists discussing their work and theatre in general, Meet the Makers offers a behind-the-scenes look at Irish history, theatre and the creative process.

Irish Rep Announces First Ever Online Summer Season Featuring YES! REFLECTIONS OF MOLLY BLOOM and More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 21, 2020


Irish Repertory Theatre has announced its first ever Online Summer Season. This summer will feature three of Irish Rep's most beloved recent productions reimagined for the screen and filmed remotely for limited release as part of A Performance on Screen.

Broadway Books: 10 MORE Biographies to Read While Staying Inside!
by Stephi Wild - May 24, 2020


Looking for something new to read while stuck inside, but still need your Broadway fix? We've rounded up 10 MORE of our favorite theatrical biographies to fill the void!

BWW Exclusive: The 101 Greatest Musical Theatre Characters (1940-2020)
by Peter Nason - Apr 30, 2020


BWW Reviewer Peter Nason chooses the best musical theatre characters from 1940-2020; see if your favorites are on our list of the best characters from Broadway musicals.

BBC Will Remake Alan Bennett's TALKING HEADS
by Stephi Wild - Apr 28, 2020


Filming begins today on new productions of Alan Bennett's critically acclaimed and multi-award-winning Talking Heads monologues, which first aired on BBC Television in 1988 and 1998.

BWW Exclusive: The 101 GREATEST PLAYS of the Past 100 Years (1920-2020)
by Peter Nason - Apr 7, 2020


BWW Reviewer Peter Nason chooses the greatest theatrical works (non-musical) from 1920-2020; see if your favorites made the list!

Philadelphia Stars Fill The Walnut Stage For Gore Vidal's THE BEST MAN
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 3, 2020


Walnut Street Theatre (WST) continues its 211th season with Gore Vidal's thrilling political drama, THE BEST MAN. Directed by Broadway veteran Michael Wilson, the production begins previews on March 10, opens March 18, and continues through April 26 on the Walnut's Mainstage.

Tony Braithwaite and Jennifer Childs Create and Star In An All-New Comedy Cabaret at Act II Playhouse
by Stephi Wild - Dec 27, 2019


Philly's funniest friends, Artistic Director at Act II Playhouse, Tony Braithwaite, and Producing Artistic Director at 1812 Productions, Jennifer Childs, have created and are sharing the spotlight in a new comedy cabaret, Together Again For the First Time. Music Direction and piano accompaniment are by Owen Robbins. Reflecting the pace and style of classic comedy duo Mike Nichols and Elaine May, Braithwaite and Childs merge their wit and musical chops in a high-energy performance of songs, sketches and hilarious asides.

Birdland Releases Decemeber Schedule
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 15, 2019


Birdland's December 2019 schedule will feature The Joe Lovano Nonet, Stacey Kent, Monty Alexander, A Swinging Birdland Christmas, Freddy Cole Quartet, Gunhild Carling, Julius Rodriguez, Veronica Swift Holiday Show, 'Season's Swingin' Greetings!a??, Marta Sanchez Quintet, Darius de Haas, Marilyn Maye New Years Eve Extravaganza, The Lineup with Susie Mosher, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and MORE!

Review Roundup: Harvey Fierstein in BELLA BELLA - What Did the Critics Think?
by Stephi Wild - Oct 23, 2019


MTC has officially opened Bella Bella, written and performed by four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Casa Valentina, Torch Song, Hairspray) and directed by Kimberly Senior (Disgraced, The Niceties).

Meganne George, Beloved Theatre Production Designer, Passes At 52
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 25, 2019


Meganne George, Indiana-born beloved New York City theatre production designer, passed away on July 30th in her home on City Island. She was 52.

Photo Flash: 'Shining' WIT Plays For One More Week At The Match
by Stephi Wild - Sep 8, 2019


Wit, by Margaret Edson, presented by actor Pamela Vogel, opens for eight performances in a limited run. It is one production in the inaugural year of the Houston Equity Festival, a collection of local professional actors, all members of the union Actors' Equity Association, each of whom is mounting her/his own show during the summer and fall of 2019. Ms. Vogel (Leap and the Net Will Appear / Catastrophic Theatre) plays Vivian Bearing, and Vance Johnson (Bootycandy / Catastrophic Theatre) and (Passing Strange / Standing Room Only Productions) directs.

"Shining" WIT Plays for One More Week at the Match
by Stephi Wild - Aug 31, 2019


Wit, by Margaret Edson, presented by actor Pamela Vogel, opens for eight performances in a limited run. It is one production in the inaugural year of the Houston Equity Festival, a collection of local professional actors, all members of the union Actors' Equity Association, each of whom is mounting her/his own show during the summer and fall of 2019. Ms. Vogel (Leap and the Net Will Appear / Catastrophic Theatre) plays Vivian Bearing, and Vance Johnson (Bootycandy / Catastrophic Theatre) and (Passing Strange / Standing Room Only Productions) directs.

Shattered Globe Theatre Announces 2019-20 Season
by Julie Musbach - Jul 31, 2019


Shattered Globe Theatre announces its 2019-20 Season, featuring two Chicago premieres: BE HERE NOW by Deborah Zoe Laufer, directed by Producing Artistic Director Sandy Shinner* a?" a bittersweet comedy about searching for happiness; and SHEEPDOG by Kevin Artigue, directed by Wardell Julius Clark a?" a love story colliding with today's headlines; followed by WHEN THE RAIN STOPS FALLING by Andrew Bovell, directed by Elizabeth Margolius a?" a stunning mystery of love and loss that reverberates through four generations.

WIT Celebrates Anniversary At The MATCH In Sept
by Julie Musbach - Jun 25, 2019


Wit, by Margaret Edson, presented by actor Pamela Vogel opens for eight performances in a limited run; a production in the inaugural year of the Houston Equity Festival a collection of local professional actors, all members of the union Actors' Equity Association, each of whom is mounting herhis own show during the summer and fall of 2019. Ms. Vogel (Leap and the Net Will Appear Catastrophic Theatre) plays Vivian Bearing, and Vance Johnson (Bootycandy Theatre) and (Passing Strange Standing Room Only Productions) directs.

Who Will Win at the 2019 Tony Awards? We Compare Year By Year!
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 7, 2019


The 72nd Annual Tony Awards are this Sunday June 10th at 8/9c hosted by Josh Groban and Sara Bareilles. It's the biggest award show of the Broadway season and it closes out a long awards season for Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals and plays. We can't help but wonder what chances this year's Best Musical and Best Play nominees have of taking home the ultimate prize...

S&Co Announce The Passing Of Beloved Founder Dennis Krausnick
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 29, 2018


 It is with deep sadness that Shakespeare & Company announces the passing of beloved Founder and Director of Training Dennis Krausnick, who has been a leader of the Company since its inception in 1978. There will be a Public Memorial Service held on June 24, 2019 at 1:00pm on the Shakespeare & Company campus in Lenox, MA. The Company's 2019 Season will be dedicated to his legacy. 

Arena Stage Gala To Honor NPR's Nina Totenberg; Kathleen Turner Headlines
by Julie Musbach - Oct 26, 2018


Arena Stage announces the presentation of the fourth annual Beth Newburger Schwartz Award to National Public Radio's Nina Totenberg, with actor and performer Kathleen Turner headlining the 2019 Arena Stage Annual Gala. The Gala will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at the Mead Center for American Theater

Wit FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of Wit have there been?
Wit has had 3 productions including Off-Broadway which opened in 1998, Off-Broadway which opened in 1998 and Broadway which opened in 2012.
What awards has Wit been nominated for?
Wit has been nominated for several awards, including the Distinguished Production of a Play at the Drama League Awards. Kathleen Chalfant and John Gassner were both nominated for Performance at the Obie Awards. Margaret Edson, the playwright of Wit, was nominated for the John Gassner Playwriting Award at the Outer Critics Circle Awards.
What awards has Wit won?
Wit has won several awards, including the Distinguished Production of a Play at the Drama League Awards. Kathleen Chalfant and John Gassner both received Performance awards at the Obie Awards. Margaret Edson, the playwright, won the John Gassner Playwriting Award at the Outer Critics Circle Awards. These accolades highlight the exceptional talent and success of the production.

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