James Earl Jones to Star in Scott Ellis-Helmed YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
James Earl Jones to Star in Scott Ellis-Helmed YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
#1James Earl Jones to Star in Scott Ellis-Helmed YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Posted: 4/24/14 at 4:11pm
According to the New York Times, James Earl Jones will return to Broadway later this year- this time in the Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy You Can't Take It With You. The play will open at a Shubert theatre on September 28, 2014, with previews beginning in August. Scott Ellis is set to direct the revival.
Additional casting has not yet been announced.
George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart's three-act play YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU originally opened on Broadway at the Booth Theater in 1936. It went on to win the 1937 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The subsequent screen adaptation won the Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director. Ellis Rabb also mounted a Broadway revival in 1983, starring Jason Robards, Colleen Dewhurst, George Rose and Elizabeth Wilson.
Among Jones's many Broadway credits are Driving Miss Daisy, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, On Golden Pond, Fences, MASTER HAROLD ... and the boys, Othello, A Lesson From Aloes, Paul Robeson, Of Mice and Men, The Iceman Cometh, Les Blancs, The Great White Hope, A Hand Is on the Gate, Danton's Death, Infidel Caesar, The Cool World and Sunrise at Campobello. He won Tony Awards for his performances in Fences and The Great White Hope.
Jones will next appear on the big screen in The Angriest Man in Brooklyn and Starbright. His recent film credits include Gimme Shelter, Jack and the Beanstalk, Click and more. He is also well known for his voicework as Darth Vader in the Star Wars series and Mufasa in The Lion King. Jones has also won three Emmy Awards and received an Honorary Academy Award in 2011.
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/James-Earl-Jones-to-Star-in-Scott-Ellis-Helmed-YOU-CANT-TAKE-IT-WITH-YOU-on-Broadway-Opens-928-20140424#.U1lu__l_uSo
Updated On: 4/24/14 at 04:11 PM
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#2James Earl Jones to Star in Scott Ellis-Helmed YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Posted: 4/24/14 at 4:16pmWhile I'm happy he's returning to Broadway, I wish it were in a better show. You Can't Take It With You is an ensemble piece and JEJ deserves a better role. I wish they had done a production with him of The Man Who Came To Dinner.
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.
#2James Earl Jones to Star in Scott Ellis-Helmed YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Posted: 4/24/14 at 4:17pm
This could be wonderful! The Ellis Rabb production with Rosemary Harris and Colleen Dewhurst was one of the most enchanting productions of anything I have ever seen.
Scott Ellis has the perfect touch for this, and James Earl Jones will be phenomenal in the role Jason Robards played!
#3James Earl Jones to Star in Scott Ellis-Helmed YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Posted: 4/24/14 at 4:22pm
At 83, he might not want to carry a show on his on anymore.
He was absolutely wonderful and full of energy in Australian production of Driving Miss Daisy last year, but West End's Much Ado About Nothing was not a success by any means, unfortunately.
#4James Earl Jones to Star in Scott Ellis-Helmed YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Posted: 4/24/14 at 4:52pm
Dame Angela Lansbury said a couple of months ago that she and Jones are in talks to do another project together so I assumed that he might be playing the judge in The Chalk Garden. But I guess that's no longer happening, at least not this fall.
Or perhaps she was in talks to play the Grand Duchess Olga Katrina, but I kinda doubt it.
#5James Earl Jones to Star in Scott Ellis-Helmed YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Posted: 4/24/14 at 4:57pm
She would be wonderful as Olga!
#6James Earl Jones to Star in Scott Ellis-Helmed YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Posted: 4/24/14 at 5:18pm
But he's BLACK.
CHURCH DOOR TOUCAN GAY MARKETING PUPPIES MUSICAL THEATER STAPLES PERIOD OIL BITCHY SNARK HOLES
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#7James Earl Jones to Star in Scott Ellis-Helmed YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Posted: 4/24/14 at 5:43pmWhat bizarre casting! I always see GRANDPA as a shambling, deceptively meek guy who manages to triumph over much more forceful foes- it will be interesting to see an actor of Jones power in that role.
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#8James Earl Jones to Star in Scott Ellis-Helmed YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Posted: 4/24/14 at 6:01pm
I think Jones will be perfect in this role.
Though the character assumes a dotty personality he is the smartest guy in the bunch.
And so many character roles. Love to see Carol Kane as his daughter, Penny.
Updated On: 4/24/14 at 06:01 PM
#9James Earl Jones to Star in Scott Ellis-Helmed YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Posted: 4/24/14 at 6:12pm
He'll be fantastic, as expected.
Can't wait to hear the rest of the cast. I played Tony a few years ago and LOVED it. I would love to play him again... 
::bust a move::
#10James Earl Jones to Star in Scott Ellis-Helmed YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Posted: 4/24/14 at 6:12pmJones perfectly balanced strength and understatement in DRIVING MISS DAISY, and I can see him doing the same here.
"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
#11James Earl Jones to Star in Scott Ellis-Helmed YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Posted: 4/24/14 at 7:01pm
Jason Robards didn't play the role like that at all. There are used copies of the production on video. It's worth the price.
You Can't Take It With You [VHS] (1984) Jason Robards, Colleen Dewhurst
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#12James Earl Jones to Star in Scott Ellis-Helmed YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Posted: 4/24/14 at 10:03pm
Very exciting! Hope I get a chance to see this.
While I'd be fine with an all (or mostly) black cast, I wonder if they will go with color-blind casting. Could add to the zaniness.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#13James Earl Jones to Star in Scott Ellis-Helmed YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Posted: 4/24/14 at 10:08pmI hear Audra McDonald is interpolating bits of dialogue into "Lady Day" so producers get used to the idea that she will be part of this show.
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.
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#14James Earl Jones to Star in Scott Ellis-Helmed YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Posted: 4/24/14 at 10:27pmThis would be a perfect show to do all kinds of casting, they are a family of eccentrics with friends of all types.
#15James Earl Jones to Star in Scott Ellis-Helmed YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Posted: 4/24/14 at 10:27pm
I don't get that.
#16James Earl Jones to Star in Scott Ellis-Helmed YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Posted: 4/24/14 at 10:42pm
"Jones perfectly balanced strength and understatement in DRIVING MISS DAISY, and I can see him doing the same here."
I thought that was one of the stronger parts of his performance, which I didn't care for on the whole.
#17James Earl Jones to Star in Scott Ellis-Helmed YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Posted: 4/25/14 at 3:26pm
"This could be wonderful! The Ellis Rabb production with Rosemary Harris and Colleen Dewhurst was one of the most enchanting productions of anything I have ever seen."
It wasn't Rosemary Harris it was Elizabeth Wilson (and she was perfect in the part).
#18James Earl Jones to Star in Scott Ellis-Helmed YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Posted: 4/25/14 at 4:28pm
Maybe someone's confused as Rosemary Harris played Alice in the 1965 revival of You Can't Take It With You, also directed by Rabb (who was also her husband at the time).
#19James Earl Jones to Star in Scott Ellis-Helmed YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Posted: 4/25/14 at 4:37pmRosemary Harris was in a telecast of "The Royal Family," also directed by Ellis Rabb.
tom2000a
Chorus Member Joined: 11/10/12
#20James Earl Jones to Star in Scott Ellis-Helmed YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Posted: 4/26/14 at 12:24amI saw the Rosemary Harris- Sam Levine- Eva Le Galleinne- Production of The Royal Family on Broadway and it's still one of my favorite nights EVER in the theatre. The taping of it is quite good but it wasn't the same as seeing it live. You Can't Take it With You with Jason Robarts was filmed on the stage LIVE and it worked much better. It's a great, great production of the play. I think it is probably one the best comedies ever written... or even the best. It is to Comedy what Our Town is to Drama. I am really looking forward to this production. I think JEJones will be really wonderful. It is an interesting subject as to how they will racially cast the rest of the show. It's also one of those period plays where they have a black maid.. Rheba. She has a boyfriend, who is also black... his name is Donald. Grandpa has a scene with Donald where they talk about people on welfare. It always made me a little uncomfortable. I wonder how they will handle that with Jones as Grandpa. They may not use the word "welfare" but they are talking about public assistance. Elizabeth Wilson was wonderful as Penny. I am trying to think who could get it right. And the rest of the loveable weirdos as well. It should be a really fun show to cast.
NYC4Life
Broadway Star Joined: 1/23/06
#21James Earl Jones to Star in Scott Ellis-Helmed YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Posted: 4/26/14 at 5:35pm
"It's also one of those period plays where they have a black maid.. Rheba. She has a boyfriend, who is also black... his name is Donald. Grandpa has a scene with Donald where they talk about people on welfare. It always made me a little uncomfortable. I wonder how they will handle that with Jones as Grandpa. They may not use the word "welfare" but they are talking about public assistance. "
You do realize that there have been black people who have had black maids, right? Also, I am sure many black people have talked about welfare with each other.
#22James Earl Jones to Star in Scott Ellis-Helmed YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Posted: 4/26/14 at 5:45pmOf course! It was Elizabeth Wilson!
#23James Earl Jones to Star in Scott Ellis-Helmed YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Posted: 4/27/14 at 1:03pm
"You do realize that there have been black people who have had black maids, right? Also, I am sure many black people have talked about welfare with each other."
Apparently you aren't familiar with the play, or at least that scene. You're missing the point entirely!
henrikegerman
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/29/05
#24James Earl Jones to Star in Scott Ellis-Helmed YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Posted: 4/27/14 at 2:26pmTogether again suggestion for Penny: Jane Alexander.
Videos