The Great Society Revival 2019

Run Time:
3 hours, including one intermission
Ages: 12+
Opened: October 1, 2019
Closing: November 29, 2019

The Great Society - 2019 - Broadway History , Info & More

Vivian Beaumont Theatre (Broadway)
150 West 65th St. at Broadway New York, NY 10023

Tony Award & Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Robert Schenkkan will return to Broadway with the second of his two exhilarating dramas celebrating Lyndon B. Johnson's legacy: THE GREAT SOCIETY.



Capturing Johnson's passionate and aggressive attempts to build a great society for all, THE GREAT SOCIETY follows his epic triumph in a landslide election to the agonizing decision not to run for re-election just three years later. It was an era that would define history forever: the rise of the Civil Rights Movement, the deaths of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, the destruction of Vietnam, and the creation of some of the greatest social programs America has ever known-and one man was at the center of it all: LBJ.

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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR The Great Society

The Great Society
6 / 10

Whereas Bryan Cranston brought a dogged vitality and wily command to the role, Brian Cox's version, though still spouting folksy Texas wisdoms and capable of manipulating his foes, seems older, wearier and less secure in his power. This is appropriate to Johnson's story during this period of upheaval: The great strong-armer and glad-hander is losing his grip. But in the absence of Cranston's central charisma, the play-already spread thin by the longer time frame-seems even more like an illustrated lecture.

The Great Society review at Vivian Beaumont Theater, New York – ‘overstuffed yet tedious’
6 / 10

Not every success story gets a sequel. The Great Society, Robert Schenkkan's follow-up to his Tony-winning play All the Way, renders President Lyndon B Johnson's second term an overstuffed yet still somewhat tedious office drama. It is less an illuminating history play with fully drawn characters than a dense and particularly animated lesson in facts and figures.

Senator Elizabeth Warren Slips in the Polls at THE GREAT SOCIETY
by Chloe Rabinowitz - November 19, 2019

With more than 8,000 ballots counted to date, and with two weeks left to vote in the 'Great Society Primary' at Lincoln Center's Vivian Beaumont Theater, it is still anyone's race for President. In recent weeks, Senator Elizabeth Warren's once strong lead over the crowded Democratic field has slipped, and Mayor Pete Buttigieg has overtaken Vice President Joe Biden for the #2 spot in the poll. In addition, speculation of Mayor Michael Bloomberg joining the race has resulted in a handful of write-ins on his behalf, possibly fueled by his recent attendance at The Great Society.

THE GREAT SOCIETY To Join Broadway Bridges, Must Close November 30
by Chloe Rabinowitz - November 5, 2019

Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Robert Schenkkan's THE GREAT SOCIETY, starring Brian Cox (a?oeSuccessiona??) as LBJ, directed by Bill Rauch, will play its final performance, as scheduled, on Saturday, November 30 at the Vivian Beaumont Theater (150 West 65th St) at Lincoln Center. At the time of closing, The Great Society will have played 26 preview performances and 72 regular performances.

BWW TV Exclusive: The Great Facts of THE GREAT SOCIETY- Brian Cox on Lyndon B. Johnson
by Nicole Rosky - November 15, 2019

BroadwayWorld is checking in with the cast to uncover some little known facts about the political giants they play onstage. Today, watch as Brian Cox gives us a lesson on Lyndon B. Johnson.

BWW TV Exclusive: The Great Facts of THE GREAT SOCIETY- David Garrison on Richard Nixon and George Wallace
by Nicole Rosky - November 14, 2019

BroadwayWorld is checking in with the cast to uncover some little known facts about the political giants they play onstage. Today, watch as David Garrison gives us a lesson on Richard Nixon and George Wallace.

BWW TV Exclusive: The Great Facts of THE GREAT SOCIETY- Robyn Kerr on the Voting Rights Act
by Nicole Rosky - November 13, 2019

BroadwayWorld is checking in with the cast to uncover some little known facts about the political giants they play onstage. Today, watch as Robyn Kerr gives us a lesson on the Voting Rights Act.

BWW TV Exclusive: The Great Facts of THE GREAT SOCIETY- Angela Pierce on Pat Nixon
by Nicole Rosky - November 12, 2019

BroadwayWorld is checking in with the cast to uncover some little known facts about the political giants they play onstage. Today, watch as Angela Pierce gives us a lesson on Pat Nixon.

BWW TV Exclusive: The Great Facts of THE GREAT SOCIETY- Tramell Tillman on Bob Moses
by Nicole Rosky - November 11, 2019

the political giants they play onstage. Today, watch as Tramell Tillman gives us a lesson on Bob Moses.

BWW TV Exclusive: The Great Facts of THE GREAT SOCIETY- Grantham Coleman on Martin Luther King, Jr.
by Nicole Rosky - November 10, 2019

BroadwayWorld is checking in with the cast to uncover some little known facts about the political giants they play onstage. Today, watch as Grantham Coleman gives us a lesson on Martin Luther King Jr.

BWW TV Exclusive: The Great Facts of THE GREAT SOCIETY- Brian Dykstra on Stanley Levison
by Nicole Rosky - November 9, 2019

BroadwayWorld is checking in with the cast to uncover some little known facts about the political giants they play onstage. Today, watch as Brian Dykstra gives us a lesson on  Stanley Levison.

BWW TV Exclusive: The Great Facts of THE GREAT SOCIETY- Matthew Rauch on Robert McNamara
by Nicole Rosky - November 8, 2019

BroadwayWorld is checking in with the cast to uncover some little known facts about the political giants they play onstage. Today, watch as Matthew Rauch gives us a lesson on Robert McNamara.

BWW TV Exclusive: The Great Facts of THE GREAT SOCIETY- Barbara Garrick on Lady Bird Johnson
by Nicole Rosky - November 7, 2019

BroadwayWorld is checking in with the cast to uncover some little known facts about the political giants they play onstage. Today, watch as Barbara Garrick gives us a lesson on Lady Bird Johnson.

BWW TV Exclusive: The Great Facts of THE GREAT SOCIETY- Nikkole Salter on Coretta Scott King and Geraldine Whittington
by Nicole Rosky - November 6, 2019

BroadwayWorld is checking in with the cast to uncover some little known facts about the political giants they play onstage. Today, watch as Nikkole Salter gives us a lesson on Coretta Scott King and Geraldine Whittington.

BWW TV Exclusive: The Great Facts of THE GREAT SOCIETY- Bryce Pinkham on Robert F. Kennedy
by Nicole Rosky - November 5, 2019

BroadwayWorld is checking in with the cast to uncover some little known facts about the political giants they play onstage. Today, watch as Bryce Pinkham gives us a lesson on Robert F. Kennedy.

BWW TV Exclusive: The Great Facts of THE GREAT SOCIETY- Gordon Clapp on J. Edgar Hoover
by Nicole Rosky - November 4, 2019

BroadwayWorld is checking in with the cast to uncover some little known facts about the political giants they play onstage. Today, watch as Gordon Clapp gives us a lesson on J. Edgar Hoover.

BWW TV Exclusive: The Great Facts of THE GREAT SOCIETY- Ted Deasy on the High Speed Ground Transportation Act of 1965
by Nicole Rosky - November 2, 2019

BroadwayWorld is checking in with the cast to uncover some little known facts about the political giants they play onstage. Today, watch as Ted Deasy gives us a lesson on the High Speed Ground Transportation Act of 1965.

BWW TV Exclusive: The Great Facts of THE GREAT SOCIETY- Frank Wood on Everett Dirksen
by Nicole Rosky - November 3, 2019

BroadwayWorld is checking in with the cast to uncover some little known facts about the political giants they play onstage. Today, watch as Frank Wood gives us a lesson on Everett Dirksen.

BWW TV Exclusive: The Great Facts of THE GREAT SOCIETY- Marc Kudisch on Richard J. Daley
by Nicole Rosky - November 1, 2019

BroadwayWorld is checking in with the cast to uncover some little known facts about the political giants they play onstage. Today, watch as Marc Kudisch gives us a lesson on Richard J,. Daley.

BWW TV Exclusive: The Great Facts of THE GREAT SOCIETY- Christopher Livingston on James Bevel & Jimmie Lee Jackson
by Nicole Rosky - October 31, 2019

BroadwayWorld is checking in with the cast to uncover some little known facts about the political giants they play onstage. Today, watch as Christopher Livingston gives us a lesson on James Bevel and Jimmie Lee Jackson.

BWW TV Exclusive: The Great Facts of THE GREAT SOCIETY- Marchant Davis on Stokely Carmichael
by Nicole Rosky - October 30, 2019

BroadwayWorld is checking in with the cast to uncover some little known facts about the political giants they play onstage. Today, watch as Marchánt Davis gives us a lesson on Stokely Carmichael.

BWW TV Exclusive: The Great Facts of THE GREAT SOCIETY- Ty Jones on Reverend Ralph Abernathy
by Nicole Rosky - October 29, 2019

BroadwayWorld is checking in with the cast to uncover some little known facts about the political giants they play onstage. Today, watch as Ty Jones gives us a lesson on Reverend Ralph Abernathy.

THE GREAT SOCIETY Primary Week 7 Puts Elizabeth Warren In The Lead
by Chloe Rabinowitz - October 28, 2019

Week after week, and with more 6,500 ballots now counted for the 'Great Society Primary' at the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center, theatergoers of The Great Society continue to choose Senator Elizabeth Warren as the Democratic presidential candidate with 36% of the vote (-1% from Week 6), followed by Vice President Joe Biden (17%, NC), Mayor Pete Buttigieg (16%, NC). In the Republican primary field, President Donald Trump comes in at 4% (NC), followed by Governor Bill Weld (2%, NC) and Congressman Mark Sanford (0.6%, NC).

BWW TV Exclusive: The Great Facts of THE GREAT SOCIETY- Richard Thomas on Hubert Humphrey
by Nicole Rosky - October 28, 2019

It takes a cast of 19 to bring the epic story of LBJ to life eight times a week at the Vivian Beaumont theatre. Led by the great stage and screen actor Brian Cox, the company of Robert Schenkkan's The Great Society takes on more than fifty characters between them, retelling the tale of one of the most complicated periods in American history. BroadwayWorld is checking in with the cast to uncover some little known facts about the political giants they play onstage. Today, watch as Richard Thomas gives us a lesson on Hubert Humphrey.

Elizabeth Warren Maintains Her Lead In THE GREAT SOCIETY Primary, Week 6
by A.A. Cristi - October 21, 2019

With over 6,000 ballots now counted for the 'Great Society Primary' at the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center, theatergoers of The Great Society continue to vote for Senator Elizabeth Warren as the Democratic presidential candidate with 37% of the vote (-1% from Week 5), followed by Vice President Joe Biden (17%, NC), Mayor Pete Buttigieg (16%, NC), Kamala Harris (6%), Bernie Sanders (5%), Amy Klobuchar (4%), Cory Booker (2%) and Andrew Yang (2%). In the Republican primary field, President Donald Trump comes in at 4% (NC), followed by Governor Bill Weld (2%, NC) and Congressman Joe Walsh (0.3%, NC).

BWW Interview: Richard Thomas Is a Happy Warrior in THE GREAT SOCIETY
by Naomi Serviss - October 21, 2019

Thomas brings to life the conscience and energy of Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey in Robert Schenkkan's latest exploration of the earth-shaking events of the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson.

THE GREAT SOCIETY Partners With Broadway For All
by Julie Musbach - October 18, 2019

Robert Schenkkan's THE GREAT SOCIETY, starring Brian Cox (a?oeSuccessiona??) as LBJ, directed by Bill Rauch, is partnering with Broadway For All through its initiative ACCESS FOR ALL.

The Great Society FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of The Great Society have there been?
The Great Society has had 2 productions including Off-Broadway which opened in 2013 and Broadway which opened in 2019.
What awards has The Great Society been nominated for?
The Great Society has been nominated for Outstanding Wig and Hair Design at the Drama Desk Awards for Tom Watson.

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