Jessica Lange, Jim Parsons, and Celia Keenan-Bolger have been announced as the stars of the world premiere of “Mother Play” on Broadway. The play, written by Pulitzer Prize winner Paula Vogel and directed by Tina Landau, will have a limited engagement at Second Stage’s Hayes Theater, starting on April 2 and opening on April 25.
This will be Lange’s first return to Broadway since her acclaimed performance as Mary Tyrone in the 2016 revival of “A Long Day’s Journey Into Night,” which earned her a Tony Award for lead actress in a play. Lange, known for her work in projects like “American Horror Story” and “Tootsie,” made her Broadway debut in “A Streetcar Named Desire” and also appeared in “The Glass Menagerie” on Broadway.
Jim Parsons, best known for his role in the long-running sitcom “The Big Bang Theory,” recently appeared Off-Broadway in a revival of “A Man of No Importance.” He has also starred on Broadway in productions like “An Act of God,” the revival of “Harvey,” “The Normal Heart,” and “The Boys in the Band.”
Celia Keenan-Bolger, who returns to Broadway after her performance in the 2022 production of “To Kill A Mockingbird” as Scout, has an impressive list of Broadway credits. She has appeared in productions such as “The Cherry Orchard,” “The Glass Menagerie,” and “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”
Set in 1962 outside of Washington D.C., “Mother Play” follows a matriarch named Phyllis and her teenage children, Carl and Martha, as they move into a new apartment. Phyllis has strong ideas about what her children need to do and be to succeed, and the play explores the challenges faced by the family as they navigate a changing world. The production describes the plot as follows: “Bolstered by gin and cigarettes, the family endures—or survives—the changing world around them.”
Tina Landau, known for her previous work as the director of “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical,” will be helming the production. The creative team also includes scenic design by David Zinn, costume design by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Jen Schriever, and sound design by Jill BC Du Boff.
Audiences can expect a powerful and compelling performance from the talented cast, combined with the creative vision of Vogel’s writing and Landau’s direction. “Mother Play” promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of family dynamics and the resilience of individuals in the face of societal expectations. With the acclaimed cast and creative team involved, this world premiere is sure to be a standout production on Broadway.
The announcement of this production also highlights the continued commitment of Second Stage Theater to showcase new and diverse voices in the theater industry. By presenting the world premiere of “Mother Play,” Second Stage is providing a platform for the work of a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and contributing to the ongoing development of new works in the theater community.
In conclusion, the world premiere of “Mother Play” on Broadway brings together an exciting cast, led by Jessica Lange, Jim Parsons, and Celia Keenan-Bolger. Written by Paula Vogel and directed by Tina Landau, this play promises to captivate audiences with its exploration of family dynamics and resilience in the face of societal expectations. With the talented creative team involved, this production is sure to make a lasting impact on the Broadway stage.