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An Ideal Husband Revival

Ages: 8+
Closing: January 26, 1997

An Ideal Husband - 1996 Broadway History , Info & More

Ethel Barrymore Theatre (Broadway)
243 West 47th St. New York, NY

In Oscar Wilde's brilliantly witty comedy, fate catches up to politician Robert Chiltern when a mysterious woman produces a letter revealing a past misdeed. Is this a public scandal or private shame? One of the more serious of Wilde's social comedies, "An Ideal Husband" focuses on the often corrupt underpinnings of wealth and power, how information and knowledge in politics hold sway, and how public and personal morality can collide. "An Ideal Husband" also takes a good-natured poke at the institution of marriage, asking us if it is it truly possible to try to have an "ideal" marriage. In the end, Wilde's message is surprisingly benign: only love really matters, only love will lead to happiness.


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Every Broadway Actor in Season 3 of THE GILDED AGE
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 30, 2025


The Gilded Age is back for Season 3, and with it, a new and returning crop of Broadway talent. The New York-based costume drama is known for its vast array of theater actors, utilizing a total of 163 across its three seasons. Take a look here to see which of your favorite stars appear in the new season!

Review: BUG at Dirt Dogs Theatre Company
by Brett Cullum - May 20, 2025


They have managed to restage BUG for 2025, and boy, is it a doozy! You don’t want to miss this revival and reimagining of the Tracy Letts cult classic. The entire company goes for broke, and they create a fiery display of acting, visuals, and audio landscapes that will blow you back in your chair.

James Dreyfus and James Wilby Join World Premiere of BY ROYAL APPOINTMENT
by Stephi Wild - Apr 10, 2025


Full casting has been announced for the world première of Daisy Goodwin's By Royal Appointment directed by Dominic Dromgoole. Learn more about the show here!

Charles Newell to Transition Out of His Role as Court Theatre Artistic Director in Summer 2024
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 15, 2023


After a thirty-year tenure at Court Theatre, the professional theatre of the University of Chicago, Charles Newell has decided to transition out of his role as Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director in June 2024.

Scott Barrow, Kathleen Chalfant & More to Star in HERE THERE ARE BLUEBERRIES at Shakespeare Theatre Company
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 12, 2023


Shakespeare Theatre Company has announced the cast and creative team for the upcoming production of Tectonic Theater Project's Here There Are Blueberries. 

Full Cast Announced For the UK Première of MARJORIE PRIME
by Stephi Wild - Jan 17, 2023


As public booking opens, the Menier Chocolate Factory has announced the full casting for the UK première of Jordan Harrison's Marjorie Prime.

MCCC's Kelsey Theatre Kicks Off 2023 With AN IDEAL HUSBAND
by Stephi Wild - Jan 13, 2023


Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre kicks off 2023 with Shakespeare 70s production of Oscar Wilde's “An Ideal Husband” weekends January 20 through 29. Kelsey Theatre is located on the Mercer County Community College campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road in West Windsor. 

Melvin Smith and Rose Smith's 'Journey Of A Lost Tribe' Online Exhibition is on View Today
by Stephi Wild - Oct 13, 2022


Adam Shopkorn, founder of Fort Gansevoort, has announced the gallery's representation of Minnesota-based artists Melvin Smith and Rose Smith.

THE LEHMAN TRILOGY's Simon Russell Beale Wins 2022 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
by Team BWW - Jun 12, 2022


Simon Russell Beale has won the 2022 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for THE LEHMAN TRILOGY.

The 101 Greatest Showtunes from 1920-2020
by Peter Nason - Mar 19, 2020


How do we make a list of the 101 greatest show tunes from the past 100 years? Well, we did the near-impossible task.  Check out our full list here! 

HAMILTON, Michael Feinstein and More are Coming to the Kravis Center
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 27, 2020


The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is offering Broadway's biggest hit, plus amazing concerts and memorable special events for every entertainment preference, from classical music to razzle dazzle dancers, from international performing artists to musical favorites from the Great American Songbook, along with several fascinating talks and lectures throughout the month of February.

Red Bridge Arts/Traverse Theatre Company's BLACK BEAUTY Blends Storytelling, Music And Puppetry
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 18, 2019


Red Bridge Arts & Traverse Theatre Company's BLACK BEAUTY, a "five-star triumph" (The Guardian), gallops into the Wallis Annenberg Center for Performing Arts with a story of hope, friendship and courage from Friday, April 26 to Sunday, May 5, 2019, in The Wallis's Lovelace Studio Theater. Created by Andy Manley, Andy Cannon and Shona Reppe, this re-telling blends storytelling, music and puppetry, offering fun and adventure for fans of the book, the UK's classic TV show and those brand new to the tale. From the cozy horsebox they call home, Andy and Andy take the bit firmly between their teeth to weave the classic tale, as it has never been seen before. The production, which includes audience engagement, is recommended for families with kids ages 5 and older.

BWW Recap: A Compelling Episode of GREY'S ANATOMY...And There Are Also Bagpipes!
by Lauren Gienow - Feb 18, 2019


If you're a fan of fun cameos, you'll be a fan of this week's Grey's Anatomy! We get 'Baby' from 'Dirty Dancing' AND we get a Hobbit! More than that though, we also get a really compelling episode that explores complicated family matters, gun violence, and having to operate on someone you hate.

BWW REVIEW: Get to Know the Strength within THE KING AND I
by Katie Becker - Jan 30, 2019


The national tour of THE KING AND I kicked off a three-night run in Sioux Falls, SD on Tuesday night and while it may have been a bitter -20 degrees outside, inside the audience was transported back to hot and tropical 1860s Siam where even the idea of snow was laughable to the children of the King.

MATILDA Continues Walnut Street Theatre 210th Season
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 7, 2018


Walnut Street Theatre continues its landmark 210th season with Roald Dahl's MATILDA THE MUSICAL. Directed by Linda Goodrich, with choreography by Michelle Gaudette, MATILDA THE MUSICAL begins previews on November 6th, opens on November 14th, and runs through January 6th on the Walnut's Mainstage.

MATILDA Continues Walnut Street Theatre's 210th Season
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 9, 2018


Walnut Street Theatre continues its landmark 210th season with Roald Dahl's MATILDA THE MUSICAL. Directed by Linda Goodrich, with choreography by Michelle Gaudette, MATILDA THE MUSICAL begins previews on November 6th, opens on November 14th, and runs through January 6th on the Walnut's Mainstage.

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company Presents OLD MONEY By Wendy Wasserstein
by Stephi Wild - Feb 1, 2018


Commonwealth Shakespeare Company (CSC) announces the second staged production of its 2017-18 Winter/Spring Season, Wendy Wasserstein's satire Old Money directed by Karen MacDonald at the Sorenson Center for the Arts, Babson College, 231 Forest Street in Wellesley, MA.

McCarter to Start 2018 with Marie Jones's STONES IN HIS POCKETS
by BWW News Desk - Jan 12, 2018


McCarter Theatre Center is starting 2018 with a strong shot of Irish humor as it presents Marie Jones' Stones in His Pockets, January 12 February 11 in the Berlind Theatre.

McCarter to Start 2018 with Marie Jones's STONES IN HIS POCKETS
by BWW News Desk - Dec 12, 2017


McCarter Theatre Center is starting 2018 with a strong shot of Irish humor as it presents Marie Jones' Stones in His Pockets, January 12 February 11 in the Berlind Theatre.

Sundance Institute Announces Indie Episodic, Shorts & Special Event Selections For 2018 Film Festival
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 4, 2017


Works selected across the new Indie Episodic, Shorts and Special Events sections of the 2018 Sundance Film Festival were announced today, underlining Sundance Institute's commitment to showcasing bold independent storytelling, regardless of form, format or length.

Sundance Institute Announces Indie Episodic, Shorts and Special event Selections for 2018 Sundance Film Festival
by Tori Hartshorn - Dec 4, 2017


Works selected across the new Indie Episodic, Shorts and Special Events sections of the 2018 Sundance Film Festival were announced today, underlining Sundance Institute's commitment to showcasing bold independent storytelling, regardless of form, format or length.

Broadway and West End to Dim Lights In Memory of Peter Hall this Friday
by BWW News Desk - Sep 13, 2017


The Broadway community mourns the loss of Tony Award winning creator, producer and theatrical innovator Peter Hall, who passed away on Monday, September 11th at age 86.

Faran Tahir Returns to Shakespeare Theatre Company to Play OTHELLO at Free For All
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 11, 2017


The Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) Free For All, one of the capital's most beloved annual traditions offering free performances of a Shakespearean classic to the general public each summer, will return next month with the Company's 2016 production of William Shakespeare's Othello. Helmed by internationally acclaimed director Ron Daniels and starring screen actor Faran Tahir in the titular role, the production will run at Sidney Harman Hall (610 F St. NW) from August 15-27, offering more than 12,000 people the chance to see the play free of charge.

Town Hall Theatre Closes Season with Oscar Wilde's AN IDEAL HUSBAND
by Julie Musbach - Apr 21, 2017


Town Hall Theatre Company (THT) is excited to announce the final show in its 2016-2017 Season, the witty and "Wilde" AN IDEAL HUSBAND. Oscar Wilde's scintillating and timely comedy, AN IDEAL HUSBAND, will have 12 performances, including two previews, June 1 through June 24, 2017, at Town Hall Theatre Company, 3535 School Street, in Lafayette, CA. Tickets are $20 - $32, and are available through the Box Office at (925) 283-1557 or online at www.TownHallTheatre.com.

Actor and Community Leader Sam Lloyd Passes Away
by BWW News Desk - Mar 24, 2017


BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that Sam Lloyd, an actor, statesman, philanthropist, and community leader, died peacefully at his home in Weston, Vermont, on Friday, March 24. He was 91. 

An Ideal Husband History

Other Productions of An Ideal Husband

1895   Broadway
Broadway
1918   Broadway
Broadway
1996   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
2010   West End London Revival
West End
2018   West End West End Revival
West End
2020   Boston Huntington Theatre Company Production
Boston
2026   Off-Off-Broadway
Off-Off-Broadway

An Ideal Husband - 1996 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners are highlighted with a background.
An Ideal Husband — awards and nominations
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1996 Tony Awards Best Direction of a Play Peter Hall
1996 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play Martin Shaw
1996 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Play Bill Kenwright

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