Downstate Premiering on Broadway this Fall? — Page 4

WiCkEDrOcKS said: "Very much looking forward to revisiting this - it was phenomenal off Broadway.

I thought MacKinnon’s direction was very strong, but intrigued as to why Mantello is now stepping in (besides the fact that he’s chummy with Rudin). Either way, interested to see his take. I trust him implicitly after DOAS."

MacKinnon had benefit of directing the same old (although usually good) Steppenwolf ensemble, once again. They were, of course, good as they work together often - but the direction allowed for one of the main suprises to be figured out from the beginning - something a stronger director wouldn't have allowed . The cast also gave some of this up due to the direction. The play was the the clear star of the Playwrights production.

Mantello, with a (mostly) fresh cast, could really make this something new by removing the Steppenwolf "club" repertory casting element and bringing a new air to the proceedings and focusing the play itself better with an equally strong, if not stronger, cast as a whole.

The Chicago Tribute reports that K. Todd Freeman and Francis Guinan are cast, but still... no actual announcement.

Wasn't there something odd about the way Rudin rolled out Bear Ridge Rd last season? This is reminding me of that.

Fred Mason said: "There is absolutely zero chance Mantello can improve upon what MacKinnon did with this play. She didn’t give away the “surprise” early on, there was a huge gasp when I saw this, it was genuinely shocking. I look forward to seeing your tail between your legs this fall, coffee"

IMO it’s a major flaw of the script that the “surprise” isn’t really a surprise (if we’re talking about the same one, with the character of Felix). I’ve only read the play, not seen it, and the writing really telegraphs it, I think.


Honestly, I have extremely mixed feeling about the play. On one hand, it sheds light on a group of people you would normally not ever learn about, and on the other, it asks us to feel sorry for people who frankly don’t deserve pity. Bruce Norris is really good at shocking his audience and making us reflect upon our society, but as the father of a young child I just couldn’t fully get on board with what he was trying to do.

Scott Rudin wanted his director, Bruce allowed it but still wanted Pam.

malcs98 said: "and I hope it does, I just don't understand who decided it was okay for an abusive, powerful individual likeScott Rudin to return to Broadway producing. I have boycotted LBRR andDeath of A Salesman for these reasons and will continue to boycott any production that has his name attached."

We’ve reached the point of psychosis where Broadway fans are actively rooting for shows to flop. Absolutely insane stuff. Real life is not online. And it remains a fact that the man produces exquisite work. And, in the case of Salesman, he was never to be seen publicly as tied to the production and the general public had zero idea who produced it and why people on a Broadway message board are still crying about him 5 years on.

Boycott all you want, but the virtue signaling isn’t working anymore. There are actual problems people are dealing with in this world.

I think Rudin looks good if we’re grading on a curve. He did the low hanging fruit of a popular play with popular New York actors and a new play that was cheap to run but was mid at best. And don’t get me started on Moth Days. It’s the fact that everyone else is turning out horrible shows that he just looks good by comparison.

Updated On: 8/27/26 at 11:08 AM

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Joe Mantello is one of the great directors of his generation, full stop.

Pam Mackinnon did superb work on this play in its prior incarnations, and while I'm sad she's not doing the Broadway run, I have no doubt thatMantello will do something great with this.

Who knows, she might even be making some money off the Broadway production, since she was involved in developing the play and two actors are continuing on."

Oh, definitely, it’s always good when money trickles down to artists as talented as Pam McKinnon.

The Distinctive Baritone said: "I’ve only read the play, not seen it, Honestly, I have extremely mixed feeling about the play. On one hand, it sheds light on a group of people you would normally not ever learn about, and on the other, it asks us to feel sorry for people who frankly don’t deserve pity. Bruce Norris is really good at shocking his audience and making us reflect upon our society, but as the father of a young child I just couldn’t fully get on board with what he was trying to do."

I didn't read the play - imagine it would come off very unattractive.

I DID see the play - it's amazing what a cast of great actors can do with difficult material!

When tickets go on sale buy one - you'll see a great play!

Fred Mason said: "The only great thing Mantello ever did was Here We Are. I was blown away"

Are you 12?

Fred Mason said: "The only great thing Mantello ever did was Here We Are. I was blown away"

This makes you look dumb.