OHIO STATE MURDERS Previews

Who did it?

Audra McDonald returns to Broadway in Ohio State Murders, beginning previews tomorrow night at the recently renamed James Earl Jones Theatre, before a December 8 official opening. The play marks the long-awaited Broadway debut of playwright Adrienne Kennedy; Kenny Leon directs. Rounding out the onstage cast are Bryce Pinkham, Mister Fitzgerald, Lizan Mitchell, and Abigail Stephenson. Ohio State Murders concludes its limited run on February 12.

“When writer Suzanne Alexander returns to her alma mater as a guest speaker, in which she explores the violence in her works, a dark mystery unravels. Adrienne Kennedy’s Ohio State Murders is an intriguing and unusual suspense play, as well as a social pertinent look at the destructiveness of racism in our society.”

Who’s going?

Curious to hear reports back from this.

chrishuyen said: "Really excited for this! I love that it's short and sweet but (presumably) still able to cover some topical issues. Though at $54 a ticket, lottery seems to be on the pricier side, especially when it has such a large availability on TDF for a slightly lower price.

btw, thanksEDSOSLO858 for creating all these threads!"

My pleasure — you know I love launching these Broadway preview and cast album threads.

This play, as written, is a brilliant piece of narrative text. Tonight is invited dress and I will be there... my first-ever invited dress and my first time seeing Audra live on stage. I can hardly wait!

I am really looking forward to comments on this production.

Right now I have 3 shows for my final 2 slots and I have a feeling that seeing Audra live (even if its not in a musical) maybe put this show also in the running

The other 3 are Leopoldstadt, Topdog/Underdog and Some Like It Hot

BoringBoredBoard40 said: "runtime is listed as 75 minutes just if anyone is curious (though knowing the play as it tightens up it probably runs closer to 65)"

Unless Adrienne Kennedy wrote new material for this (she did not), It is NOT 75 minutes long. It is an hour long play. As a matter of fact, the Variety review for Theatre for a New Audience's 2007 production lists the running time as 55 minutes.

https://variety.com/2007/legit/reviews/ohio-state-murders-1200554791/

I actually love having some really short shows available in the season. I love finding ways to do 3 show days, so you could potentially do a Saturday of this at 2, Mike Birbiglia at 4, plus an evening show.

I'm genuinely baffled they didn't chose to pair this with other Kennedy plays. Had this been an evening of Adrienne Kennedy or even with Funnyhouse as curtain raiser I would have dropped everything to see it. Given her importance, a whole evening of Adrienne Kennedy could have been something special.

Even though I love Audra, Lizan, and Adrienne... it's just hard to justify such a short evening at those prices. I might have even considered seeing the show if it didn't mean giving up a slot on my trip... but since it runs with a regular schedule... no dice.

Even though it's Audra, I'm not paying $100+ to see a 60 play.

TaffyDavenport said: "Broadway.com has the running time listed as 75 minutes."

Broadway.com was provided that information by the producers or general manager of the Broadway production. Unless Audra has been instructed to talk very, very, very slowly, this play is not 75 minutes long. Maybe they can start it 10 minted late every night so people have the illusion that it is longer than it is.

It ran almost exactly 75 minutes tonight at the invited dress. I won't speak of the performances until after tomorrow but it is a beautifully written piece. It deserves to be on Broadway.

EDSOSLO858 said: "uncageg said: "It ran almost exactly 75 minutes tonight at the invited dress. I won't speak of the performances until after tomorrow but it is a beautifully written piece. It deserves to be on Broadway."

Amen to everything uncageg said. What an exceptional evening!

Kenny Leon delivered a pre-show speech at 7:05, the show began around 7:10, and I was back on the sidewalk at 8:25.

I won't give my usual extensive review based on a dress rehearsal, but Audra... AUDRA.

Also, the James Earl Jones looks absolutely beautiful and I felt as comfortable as ever tonight.

Go, go, go."



Agreed, the Jones looks beautiful. I sat in the Mezz and there is a nice spacious area at the top of the stairs on the mezz level and you can stand in that glass alcove. There are restrooms there and a bar. I think a chair would be nice there. Nice new comfy seats. As Mr Leon said in his speech, we were the first audience for a show. So we broke them in for the rest of you!

A lot of people are complaining about the price and running time of this show. I think that once it is settled in, it will be worth it. Quite honestly, I think 75 minutes is long enough to tell this story. I think that it could use some pauses at places since it jumps around in time. I was briefly confused a few times but totally fine at the end.

This was my first Broadway invited dress. Honestly, one reason I have not really wanted to go one is from hearing about the "over excitement" of the attendees. Near the end, there were a few loud responses that, in my opinion, were not warranted. But a reaction was.

Also, the set and lighting are gorgeous. And there is snow.

Updated On: 11/10/22 at 10:06 PM

Even though it's Audra, I'm not paying $100+ to see a 60 play.

I would rather see a brilliant 60 minute play for $100, than a 3 hour slugfest that could have been told in 60 minutes. Quality over quantity.

Adrienne Kennedy doesn't do "light." Haha. And I do agree that this play is a successful, total artistic statement on its own. I don't think it needs to be paired with something to have more impact or more meaning. There are plenty of places this show, on its own, is a terrific idea.

I just can't imagine people wanting to pay Broadway prices and go through the irritation of getting to Broadway for something that isn't a full evening. Especially when all of Adrienne's plays are also short, with small casts. There are even three other plays in the Alexander cycle, all about the lead character of Ohio. Granted, they're weird... but... I don't know. Tough sell for me.