Posted: 2/23/16 at 10:10am
What do you guys think? It's been such a short amount of time since the last revival, which was so critically acclaimed. Sam Gold has done some great work, but I seem to recall his track record with revivals is not considered great.
Posted: 5/4/16 at 10:09am
Joe Mantello seems to have (semi-)confirmed this when talking to Playbill about the Tony nominations. Sally Field and Joe Mantello, with Sam Gold directing and Scott Rudin producing.
http://www.playbill.com/article/joe-mantello-will-return-to-acting-in-revival-of-the-glass-menagerie
Posted: 5/4/16 at 11:21am
I think this is absolutely ridiculous. Not only is it unbelievably disrespectful to the award winning revival that just happened not even five years ago (the unspoken rule among producers and theater companies used to be 20 years between productions), but Joe has a track record of bringing NEW PLAYWRIGHTS to Broadway. He could have his pick of any of the best new plays hitting producers desks. He should use that influence to convince Sally Field (if this is in fact happening because of her) that she should do a new play (he should be ashamed of himself, seriously). How are we ever going to find the new Tennessee Williams if we don't produce their new plays.
Yes, I get that this is show BUSINESS and producers need to choose work that they think will bring in money. The star + 16 week = recoupment, but I think they have a responsibility to talk these Hollywood stars into doing new work..
This is way too soon for another revival and feels like pandering to an audience instead of bringing in fresh new voices that are writing the classics of tomorrow. It's unbelievable to think that in 2016 it's hard to point to what names will be like Williams and Miller in 20 years.
Posted: 5/4/16 at 11:29am
I don't think Sally is right for Amanda. I think she's an incredible actress but this is not a good fit. Her now patented Sybil histrionics are all wrong for this role. Seriously, give this talented woman a fresh new play. Look how Doris revitalized her.
Posted: 5/4/16 at 11:31am
Speaking as someone who's actually seen Field perform the role (in DC), she was a revelation. Easily the best interpretation of the character I've personally seen (and I've seen more than a dozen professional productions of this play) and perhaps a personal best performance from her. Field is a marvelous and interesting stage actress, as evidenced by her performances in the prior production of The Glass Menagerie and in The Goat.
Posted: 5/4/16 at 1:22pm
I think the biggest problem is the fact that Mantello is like two decades too old for the part. I know it's a "memory play," but Tom is really supposed to be in his twenties.
Posted: 5/4/16 at 1:30pm
Eddie Dowling was 55...
Posted: 5/4/16 at 1:45pm
There's no age specification of how old Tom should be. Since he's looking back, I don't think it really matters.
Posted: 5/4/16 at 11:13pm
I doubt it sells well. Should be a limited 2 month run. So previews would being in October with an early November opening?? Closes early January.
Posted: 5/4/16 at 11:15pm
The article states that Mantello indicated rehearsals wouldn't begin until after the start of the new year.
Posted: 5/4/16 at 11:32pm
With THE ROSE TATOO opening this Summer at Williamstown, I'd imagine that has its sights on NYC - could it be that there are two Williams shows on Broadway at the same time?
Posted: 5/4/16 at 11:52pm
standingovation79, you need to calm down, girl. This is not disrespectful in any way to the last revival of the play. A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE and CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF both came back only a few years after the last revivals had played. These are simply plays that get revived often. There's nothing disrespectful about Rudin wanting to bring this to Broadway and let people see Field's take on one of the great (and oh so challenging) roles of the theatre canon. I, for one, cannot wait to see both Sally Field and Mantello take on this, and I thought the last revival was one of the most perfect productions of a play I've seen. Still, Field is one of the best actresses of her generation, and gave an Oscar worthy performance in LINCOLN. She couldn't be more different from Cherry Jones and not the first person who comes to mind when thinking about Amanda, which is what makes the possibility of her playing it even more exciting.
Posted: 5/5/16 at 12:00am
Also, for what it's worth, Gold apparently is intent on casting an actor to play Laura who is actually disabled, so if nothing else it'll be a great opportunity for an actor who wouldn't necessarily otherwise get the chance.
Posted: 5/5/16 at 12:03am
wonderfulwizard11 said: "Also, for what it's worth, Gold apparently is intent on casting an actor to play Laura who is actually disabled, so if nothing else it'll be a great opportunity for an actor who wouldn't necessarily otherwise get the chance.
"
I can confirm this. I auditioned for Lauren, which was my audition board that I posted a couple months back. Based on the fact I hadn't heard anything & the workshop is going to begin really soon and they only saw 4 out of 6 minutes on my tape, I didn't get it, but that's life :) (If you wanna see my tape, PM me)
Posted: 5/5/16 at 3:59am
The same year Jessica Lange did the play on Broadway , Sally Field did it in DC. Ms. Lange was dreadful while Ms. Field was a marvel.
Having said that, I don't think any production could top the Cambridge production with Cherry Jones that came to Broadway last year.
Posted: 6/6/16 at 4:08pm
This feels way too soon...
Posted: 6/6/16 at 4:13pm
If a quick google search is to be relied upon, this is Madison Ferris' professional debut.
Updated On: 6/6/16 at 04:13 PM
Posted: 6/6/16 at 4:16pm
Madison Ferris has muscular dystrophy and will indeed be making her professional debut in this production.
She is a major talent.
Updated On: 6/6/16 at 04:16 PM
Posted: 6/6/16 at 4:17pm
I'm surprised it's already been 3 years since the last revival.
Posted: 6/6/16 at 4:18pm
somethingwicked said: "Madison Ferris has muscular dystrophy and will indeed be making her professional debut in this production.
She is a major talent."
Did I miss this line in the release? Do you know her?
Updated On: 6/6/16 at 04:18 PM
Posted: 6/6/16 at 4:20pm
I'm excited to read it's the Toneelgroep Amsterdam production. I thought that production looked remarkable... though obviously not to all tastes. I wonder if there'll be a backlash to those kinds of productions with so many in a row.
Posted: 6/6/16 at 4:20pm
What are "those kind" of productions? Ivo isn't directing this.
Posted: 6/6/16 at 4:34pm
"Did I miss this line in the release? Do you know her?"
I can only vouch for myself, but I know her and have seen her perform several times and will agree that she's a brilliant actress, as well as a lovely person. I'm thrilled for her.
Updated On: 6/6/16 at 04:34 PM
Posted: 6/6/16 at 4:38pm
I know he's not, but it's very much in the Toneelgroep mold. Not just visually, but with added interludes between scenes. I wouldn't necessarily saw they're similar... but I wonder if it might be similar to how it became popular to complain about "the actors playing their own instruments." Maybe not! 
Updated On: 6/6/16 at 04:38 PM
Posted: 6/6/16 at 4:59pm
This was the Broadway play I auditioned for in Feb.! Am I disappointed I didn't get the part? Oh heck no! I knew I didn't had a chance. Ha ha! So happy for Madison and I can't wait to see how she does!
