9 / 10
“Mother Play” is not as great as plays Paula Vogel has written in the past – perhaps not as great as she might be able to make it in time – but under Tina Landau’s direction, it is a mesmerizing production, albeit not always easy to watch. That’s not only because of the fully-invested acting, but also because of the fully-infested sets (thanks to projection designer Shawn Duan.)
7 / 10
In addition to her years of teaching playwriting at Brown and Yale, Vogel is best-known for her Pulitzer-winning 1997 play How I Learned to Drive, which finally made it to Broadway in 2022 and remains unquestionably one of the very best works of recent American theater. That’s a hard standard to match, especially since the various twists and turns are almost impossible to predict when watching How I Learned to Drive for the first time. By contrast, Mother Play probably isn’t the first story you’ve ever seen about American parents failing to understand their children during the ‘60s and '70s. Some creative choices don’t pay off, but Vogel’s latest hits the emotional beats it needs to, and is certainly a powerful reminder to call your mom now and then.
In this video, watch as Tony nominee Celia Keenan-Bolger chats about her beloved Mother Play cast, the joy of being on Broadway, and so much more.
In this video, watch as Jim Parsons chats about his beloved castmates, why Mother Play means so much to him, and so much more.
According to Second Stage's Instagram story, the matinee of Mother Play has been canceled this afternoon due to 'an illness within the company.'
Tony-Award-winning actress Jessica Lange appeared on The View on Thursday to discuss her role in Paula Vogel's Mother Play. On the show, she also talks about her next project The Great Lillian Hall, an HBO film that centers on an aging Broadway performer who is struggling with memory loss. Watch the interview now!
Tune in to see Jessica Lange on The View next week! The Tony-nominated actress will appear on the program on Thursday, May 23 to discuss her role in Paula Vogel's Mother Play, which is currently playing at the Hayes Theater. The daytime talk show airs each weekday from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. ET on ABC.
In this video, watch as Tony nominee Jessica Lange chats about her beloved Mother Play co-stars, why this piece means so much to her, and so much more.
Jim Parsons and Celia Keenan-Bolger stopped by The View on Monday to discuss the Tony-nominated Mother Play, where they are currently starring alongside Jessica Lange. The show marks Parsons' first-ever Tony nomination. Keenan-Bolger has been nominated 4 times prior, winning the award for her performance as Scout Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird. Watch the interview!
Mother Play officially opened on Broadway on April 25 at the Hayes Theater. Check out photos of the cast and VIPs at the after party here!
Watch as Broadway World's Richard Ridge interviews the company of Mother Play on Broadway!
Mother Play officially opened on Broadway last night, April 25. We're taking you inside opening night in the all new photos here!
Tony Award winner Celia Keenan-Bolger, Academy Award, Emmy Award, and Tony Award winner Jessica Lange, and Emmy Award, Golden Globe Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award winner Jim Parsons return to Broadway in the Second Stage's production of Mother Play. Read the reviews!
Get a first look at photos of Jessica Lange, Jim Parsons and Celia Keenan-Bolger in Mother Play. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.
On Monday night, Jessica Lange appeared on Late Night with Seth Meyers to talk about her role in Mother Play as Phyllis, the matriarch of the family. Though she has worked extensively onstage (she was last seen on Broadway in the four-hour epic Long Day's Journey into Night,) this was the first time Lange has originated a role in a new work. Watch the video here!
On Monday night, Jim Parsons appeared on The Tonight Show to talk about his role as Carl in Paula Vogel's Mother Play. Specifically, he discussed his approach to playing a 'floppy' 14-year old who lounges all over the furniture. Mother Play began previews April 3 and will officially open on April 25, 2024 at the Hayes Theater. Watch the video here!
Previews are now underway for Second Stage's newest play- Paula Vogel's Mother Play. In this video, watch as the cast unpacks their roles!
Second Stage Theater's Mother Play will begin previews on Broadway tonight, April 3. Meet the cast of Mother Play here!
Second Stage Theater's Mother Play has delayed its first preview. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play | Celia Keenan-Bolger |
| 2024 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play | Jessica Lange |
| 2024 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Play | Paula Vogel |
| 2024 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance | Jessica Lange |
| 2024 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance | Jim Parsons |
| 2024 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Production of a Play | Mother Play |
| 2024 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play | Celia Keenan-Bolger |
| 2024 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play | Jim Parsons |
| 2024 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play | Jessica Lange |
| 2024 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Broadway Play | Paula Vogel |
| 2024 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play | Jim Parsons |
| 2024 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play | Celia Keenan-Bolger |
| 2024 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play | Jessica Lange |
| 2024 | Tony Awards | Best Play | Paula Vogel |
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