re: Moon for the Misbegotten books Brooks Atkinson

[Smaxie]

Posted: 11/21/06 at 11:19pm

Story below.

Kevin Spacey and O'Neill on Broadway

By MICHAEL KUCHWARA, AP Drama Writer 46 minutes ago

Kevin Spacey and Eugene O'Neill — together again.

Spacey, who has appeared in several O'Neill classics on Broadway, will return next spring to star in a revival of "A Moon for the Misbegotten," portraying the failed alcoholic actor James Tyrone Jr.

"Moon" will open April 9 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre for a limited engagement. Preview performances begin March 29.

The production, directed by Howard Davies, comes to New York after a triumphant run at London's Old Vic Theatre, where Spacey serves as artistic director. Until "Moon," Spacey's tenure at the Old Vic had been rocky, but the O'Neill revival, which will also feature London cast members Eve Best and Colm Meaney, may have changed that. It closes there Dec. 23.

Paul Taylor, writing in The Independent in September, called the London revival of "Moon" "beautiful, funny and cathartic ... The marvelous evening gives one the sense they have learned by past mistakes and may go on to a thrilling future."

The Times of London described the production as "a major triumph," while The Evening Standard praised Spacey's "electrifying displays of rage and sly shafts of comedy."

The 47-year-old Spacey first appeared in an O'Neill play on Broadway in 1986 in the Jack Lemmon production of O'Neill's masterpiece, "Long Day's Journey into Night." In it, he portrayed James Tyrone Jr., the same character he plays in "Moon."

Spacey's last Broadway appearance was in the 1999 revival of O'Neill's "The Iceman Cometh," also directed by Davies.

"A Moon for the Misbegotten" has had four previous productions on Broadway. Its initial Broadway run, starring Franchot Tone and Wendy Hiller, in 1957, closed after only 68 performances.

But the play's reputation was cemented with a 1973 revival starring Jason Robards and Colleen Dewhurst and directed by Jose Quintero. It ran for over 300 performances.

Subsequent revivals have not been as successful. A 1984 production starring Kate Nelligan and Ian Bannen lasted 40 performances, while the 2000 revival, featuring Cherry Jones and Gabriel Byrne, chalked up a 120-performance run.
Moon at the Atkinson

Updated On: 11/21/06 at 11:19 PM

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 5:09am

Kevin Spacey to Bring Misbegotten to B'way with Brit Co-Stars Best and Meaney

Updated On: 11/22/06 at 05:09 AM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 7:57am

Beautiful.

This season really does get better and better.

[mallardo]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 8:23am

I saw it in London and liked it but for the strange casting of Eve Best, a young and attractive actress who could not be made to resemble the large and unatttractive Josie Hogan. Since the whole relationship between her and Jim Tyrone turns on her lack of physical appeal - he sees her as more of a mother figure than potential lover - it deeply distorts the play.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 8:40am

Same as Colleen Dewhurst, who also seemed "too pretty" to play Josie. Both have gotten raves and Dewhurst won the Tony way back when.

[mallardo]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 9:06am

Colleen Dewhurst, whom I saw as Josie, was much closer to the ideal than Eve Best. This is not to knock, Ms Best, a wonderful actress - in the wrong part.

[Princeton78]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 9:48am

So we have this years Tony-Winning best actor?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 9:54am

Since the show is transferring based on them alone, I'd say we have our best actor and actress.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 10:07am

Oh, I wouldn't be quick to crown Best Actor to Kevin Spacey with Frank Langella in Frost/Nixon on the way. Langella being great in a new play might top Spacey being great in a revival. As far as Best Actress, what of Vanessa Redgrave in Year of Magical Thinking, or Angela Lansbury or Marian Seldes in Deuce?

Also too, there is another major new play and one revival of a play still to be announced for this season...

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 11/22/06 at 10:18am

And don't count out Richard Easton for THE COAST OF UTOPIA (or any of its other leading men for that matter). He is originating a role, while Spacey is simply reviving one (one that was just revived a few years ago nonetheless).

And Julie White might just be a surprise winner in the Actress category. So don't count her out. It's about time we crown a new queen.