Previews for J.T. Rogers' new play Oslo begin in two days (Thursday, March 23, 2017) at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre at Lincoln Center. With Bartlett Sher at the helm and starring Jennifer Ehle and Jefferson Mays, Oslo is set to officially open on April 13 for a limited run through June 18.
This is one of the best things I saw last year. I haven't fit a return into my schedule yet, but I'll definitely be seeing it again.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
Though it isn't relevant to the Oslo previews thread (lol...), just wanted to make sure everybody knows what's eligible:
Best Play Possibilities A Doll's House, Part 2 The Encounter Heisenberg Indecent Oh, Hello Oslo The Play That Goes Wrong The Present Significant Other Sweat
Best Revival of a Play Possibilities The Cherry Orchard The Front Page The Glass Menagerie Jitney Les Liaisons Dangereuses The Little Foxes Present Laughter The Price Six Degrees of Separation
This is a surprisingly weak year for play revivals. The Front Page may have sold tickets with its all-star cast, but really did not make a lasting impression.
And yes- there is no way Jitney will be considered a new play. It was written in 1982 and is a known (and lauded) property.
I agree it'll be Sweat v. Oslo. Both are compelling and timely pieces of drama.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
Right now I would say Jitney and The Price are the only locks for Best Revival. The remaining 2-3 nominees will probably depend on how The Little Foxes, Present Laughter, and Six Degrees of Separation are received.
Oslo and Sweat are definitely the frontrunners for Best Play--in addition to what Kad said, both plays are fairly traditional, narrative-wise, which older voters seem to love.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
Indecent will definitely be considered a new play, right? I think it is definitely likely to be nominated, but I would be surprised if it upset Oslo or Sweat.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
Yeah, Shuffle Along is what came to mind immediately--but I doubt the producers of Indecent will try to petition for revival status as Rudin did.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
Indecent contains even less of God of Vengeance than Shuffle Along contained the original Shuffle Along, so I really can't see anyone even attempting that argument.
I think Indecent will be (deservedly) nominated but I can't see it being a frontrunner unless its themes of "the arts under attack" resonate deeply with voters in this political climate.
Oslo, Sweat, and Indecent are all extremely timely but for different reasons.
Oslo presents an optimistic take on statesmanship and diplomacy(even if those hopes ultimately fell apart in the real world).
Sweat documents the factors that gave rise to the disaffection that led to Trump.
Indecent presents the arts as vital even under oppression.
All three are more timely now than when they premiered last year.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
I agree that Oslo, Sweat, and Indecent are all set for noms. I'm hoping the fourth slot somehow goes to something a little less heavy... like The Play That Goes Wrong or Significant Other (which isn't the lightest fare ever, of course, but less deep in drama than the first three shows).
BroadwayConcierge said: "I agree that Oslo, Sweat, and Indecent are all set for noms. I'm hoping the fourth slot somehow goes to something a little less heavy... like The Play That Goes Wrong or Significant Other (which isn't the lightest fare ever, of course, but less deep in drama than the first three shows).
Well, to reiterate what Kad said, nobody has seen A Doll's House, Part 2. We could be underestimating it's potential to be a nominee.
A little swash, a bit of buckle - you'll love it more than bread.
Regardless of what is nominated, I think this is the best crop of new plays Broadway has seen in a long time- and largely from writers who have not been seen on Broadway.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."