Jessica Lange in LONG DAY'S JOURNEY on Broadway?

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 5:15pm

In this interview with the LA Times about AMERICAN HORROR STORY, Lange says at the very end that plans are afoot for her to star in LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT on Broadway "in the next year, year and a half". The question about it is asked at 29:22.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/tv/la-et-st-american-horror-story-live-chat-with-jessica-lange-today-20130823,0,5240752.story

Based on her comments, one can assume she'll be revisiting the acclaimed production she did in London in 2001 under the direction of Robin Phillips. I remember the controversy that arose publicly when she was subsequently offered the Robert Falls production that came to Broadway in 2003 and passed because she wasn't interested in doing any incarnation of the play in New York that wasn't that initial version. Vanessa Redgrave went on to play Mary under Falls' direction instead.

Updated On: 8/26/13 at 05:15 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 5:31pm

I didn't realize she had played the role before, I think she'd be wonderful and one can only imagine what a great group of actors they could get to join her in this play.

[D2]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 5:32pm

I saw both productions. Lange was very good. Redgrave was brilliant.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 5:37pm

I remember thinking it was a perfect match of actor and role. I'd love to see her take on it.

[tazber]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 5:37pm

Ooooh this is exciting. I would love to see her on Broadway.

[DEClarke]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 11:20pm

I hope to see this production. I LOVE that play!

[bobs3]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 11:30pm

She got very good reviews in London but I doubt anyone could do what Vanessa Redgrave did with the role of Mary Tyrone -- it was a performance for the ages.

[Mark-o]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 11:46am

I saw her STREETCAR and GLASS MENAGERIE -
I'm not sure about her... after seeing Redgrave - that was the best performance I've ever seen...

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 11:51am

Well I loved her performance in GLASS MENAGERIE. I saw it later in the run so maybe she'd settled into the role, but I loved every second of it.

[Mark-o]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 11:55am

I thought the production was bad (GLASS MENAGERIE with Lange). Lange worked hard but was to fluttery in the role...

And that damned scrim moved back and forth so much I thought the set was going to fall!

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 1:14pm

Let me lead by saying I am a huge fan of Jessica's, but I'm not clamoring for this. Jessica is white hot right now on the heels of Grey Gardens and AHS, but she runs hot and cold in the acting department.

She is always very affected in parts. Her overuse of her hands and the touching of her face and neck is distracting. She has a style and sticks to it. I don't think she's particularly effective on stage. I think she is best when she collaborates with a director with vision.

Fluttery is a good adjective. She's been hit or miss in my opinion.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 1:16pm

Oh Betty, I don't think I've ever disagreed with you more. I think that even in a bad movie, Lange is outstanding. She's proven herself time and time again as one of our best living actresses. She definitely has her own style, but I think that's what makes her so outstanding.

[Mark-o]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 1:20pm

Bettyboy72 nailed it. I like her as well, but her affectations can be distracting (see TOOTSIE).

[Roscoe]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 1:31pm

I'm kicking myself for having missed the Redgrave performance. See if you can find the DVD of the National Theater production from the 1960s, with Laurence Olivier and Constance Cummings giving incredible performances in the leads.

[Owen22]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 1:57pm

It took me awhile to get used to Lange's Blanche, but eventually, I found her very affecting. I think Tyrone in "Long Days" is excellent casting. Though, like most people, I can't imagine anyone ever being more brilliant in the role than Van. Certainly not Laurie Metcalf (who should have won the Tony this year IMO) in the oddly acclaimed recent West End production.

[wonkit]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 4:59pm

I found Laurie Metcalf to be extraordinary in the recent London production. I have seen some wonderful performances in LONG DAY'S JOURNEY, but Metcalf had me sobbing at the end of the play. I have always found Lange to be very mannered but I have never seen her in live performance.

[east side story]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 6:07pm

Lange is a national treasure. I'm so happy that American Horror Story has catapulted her to a newfound success and fanbase. And for what it's worth, I still maintain she should have been been cast as Violet in the film adaptation of August: Osage County.

On topic: I would go see this production in a hot second. She mentioned years ago how she wanted to transfer to Broadway, and then it never came to pass. Better late than...pregnant?

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 6:10pm

I will most definitely drink to that. Import Mark Rylance for Tyrone?

[wonkit]

Posted: 8/27/13 at 6:54pm

Rylance for Tyrone? No thank you. I have never thought of him as a subtle enough performer to play that nuanced a role.