Rachel Chavkin to Direct THE THANKSGIVING PLAY on Broadway, Spring 2023

I know 2nd Stage is limited by their subscription programming and artist schedules, but would have bene fun to see this play in October-December! Either way – – looking forward to seeing.

Oh wow. This play is VERY funny. Good for Fasthorse!

Interesting that they aren’t transferring the recent Off-Broadway production directed by Moritz Von Steuelpnagel. Not to say I’m especially disappointed; there was nothing special about his direction of the piece, and obviously Chavkin is a huge deal.

But it’s an unusual situation – will it be considered a “revival” since it’s a totally different production of an existing play? (which has, by the way, been produced regionally in the intervening years – which is one of the criteria for deciding whether something fits under the “classics Rule&rdquo Or will be deemed a new play since it premiered so recently?

Also, for those who are excited about Chavkin’s involvement: I share your excitement, but I would warn you guys that Chavkin’s track record for plays is much more spotty than it is for big musicals. Not to say she can't direct a play, or that none of them have been good. But she's more inconsistent, and less unique.

Chavkin is at her best when she’s a major part of the creative process, and gets to help conceive the show – when she’s just putting a normal script up on its feet, she hasn’t always demonstrated the same level of skill and imagination.

I would not advise people to go into this expecting the “next great work” from Chavkin. Even if it turns out to be very solid work, I expect it to be pretty straightforward.

Updated On: 6/2/22 at 12:39 PM

Call_me_jorge said: "Guess this rules out a transfer of lempicka next season."

Not necessarily. Many directors have directed more than one piece in a season. It helps that this one is already written too.

JSquared2 said: "There shouldn't even be any question about it -- it's a new play."



Yeah, upon reflection, you’re right it definitely should, and most likely will. It occurred to me after writing that post that there’s already several cases of recent precedent for situations like this.

nophibbing said: "Could Lempicka maybe just be coming over in the fall instead of the spring? Seems plausible. Directing two Broadway shows at the same time sounds exhausting."

I don't know what LEMPICKA's timeline is, but Jerry Zaks (Music Man and Doubtfire) and Scott Ellis (Tootsie and Kiss Me Kate) have done it recently. It is doable, but challenging. "Spring 2023" is vague phrasing and can basically mean it starts anytime between January and May. If reviews at La Jolla are hot, and if money and a theatre are in place, it might behoove Lempicka to at least start previews before Christmas 2022.

It's also interesting that this is the 3rd established director to be attached to the play: Leigh Silverman directed an online presentation of it last year.

Updated On: 6/2/22 at 01:36 PM

Tickets on sale now…any rumors on casting?

Me too Keanu Reeves and Bobby Cannavale did a reading I read…they would definitely sell tickets

There is no starring role - it’s a real ensemble piece. My guess is it will have somewhat well known TV actors with strong theatre backgrounds. Bobby Cannavale-type people (although I don’t see him in either of the male roles - interesting that he did a reading of it).

I’m not sure why this play is being done in the spring rather than the fall. A September to November limited engagement would have made much more sense.

That’s what I was thinking. Hadestown had a good run but it’ll close within the year and Lempicka will replace it.

Robbie516 said: "Tickets on sale now…any rumors on casting?"

Only for subscribers so far right? I don't see any info yet for public on-sale dates.

For some reason, mezzanine tickets aren't available. Seems like only premium tickets are on AR sale.