Joining the previously announced “A View From the Bridge” is “The Crucible,” Miller’s searing political allegory about the McCarthy-era blacklist set during the Salem witch trials of the 1690s. The two productions will share more than just a Broadway season; both will be directed by the Belgian director Ivo van Hove, and Scott Rudin is a producer of both.
The cast includes Ben Whishaw (“The Hour” ) as John Proctor; Sophie Okonedo (a Tony winner for “A Raisin in the Sun” ) as his wife, Elizabeth Proctor; Saoirse Ronan (“Atonement” ) as Abigail Williams; and Ciaran Hinds (“Game of Thrones” and “The Seafarer” on Broadway) as Deputy Governor Danforth. Philip Glass will contribute an original score.
Isn't Actors' Equity usually adamant about foreign actors (regardless if they're Irish or British) displacing American talent? What's going on here?
Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiae
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra
Salve, Salve Regina
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Eva
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
O clemens O pia
Adamant? Foreign actors regularly appear in New York. I imagine all of these actors -- particularly Oscar nominees Okenedo (also a Tony winner) and Ronan -- qualify as "international stars".
I read this play a couple months ago for the first time, and I didn't especially care for it. I'm sure it translates better on stage though, as most plays do. It'll be interesting to see it live, especially with this great cast.
I like that we're getting 2 Millers and also 2 Bock/Harnick shows. Maybe this trend will continue and Iceman Cometh will decide to transfer, and we'll get 2 O'Neills. A man can dream.
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
It's an entirely different production I know, but I'm sad it isn't Richard Armitage's Proctor, he was incredible at the Old Vic. Wishaw is great but I don't see him as that sort of commanding Proctor presence.
Ben is certainly not traditional casting (and perhaps a bit short in the tooth for this role- ??) but I absolutely adore him in everything he does, so I cannot wait to see what happens!
Ben Whishaw looks about 23, max. I don't think I buy him as a bored husband having a mid-life crisis affair with a young girl.
The real John Proctor was in his 60s and had 17 kids. The play John Proctor is usually played in his 40s. Even the boy who played John Proctor in my high school's production junior year looked older than Ben Whishaw.
Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never
knowing how
I'm excited that Saoirse Ronan is playing Abigail Williams. For someone as young as her, the role of Abigail in my opinion is one of the most complex and juiciest role ever for a woman. And I think her performances in Atonement and Hanna have prepared her to tackle these kind of roles!
John Proctor was 60 when he died. He had been married 3 times, and had 17 children. His oldest child was 33- one year younger than Ben Whishaw is.
He's usually cast younger than he was, but for comparison sake, Liam Neeson was 50 in the last revival and Martin Sheen was 52 in the revival before that.
Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never
knowing how
Age aside, I'm so excited about Ben's casting. Thought he was spectacular in The Hour on BBC/BBC America- three years later and I still miss that show). From what I've seen of his film work, very versatile- everything from dying poet to androgynous Shakespearean magician to Q (another role he was cast young for).
The rest of the cast looks amazing as well. I remember studying this in a few different literature and theater classes but never around the time of a major live production, so I'm interested to see how it turns out.
I'm not much of a fan of Van Hove's work, but everything else about this so excites me. I don't mind if Proctor is significantly younger than he historically was as long as it makes sense within the world created onstage. It's historical fiction; I don't mind if some details are fudged. But the most exciting thing about this, for me, is Phillip Glass's score. I am very much looking forward to hearing thoughts on what will probably be a very divisive production.