"Doubt" -- Ron on Broadway!!

[maggiethecat]

anna said:

Apparently, if they do appear on Theater Talk, we can order tapes of the episode.

www.theatertalk.org/

Karma to you, Anna, for finding the link I couldn't -- we can all keep checking, too, for the schedule. It also looks as though veiwers not in the New York area can watch it on the web. You get the Nancy Drew award of the day!

Bravo!

[housemouse]

I'm not sure how this whole Broadway thing works. So I am wondering, did he know the show was closing in May when he took the part? I suppose there is no way to know for sure whether or not he knew, but would they have told him at the audition? Could it be he took the part because he knew it would only be running until then?

[maggiethecat]

housemouse said:

Could it be he took the part because he knew it would only be running until then?

That works for me, especially considering his work history. Some actors like the security of a long run (usually those with mortgages and kids). With a limited run -- which this seems to be unless the Times got it wrong -- you have the security of having a job for a while, you don't have to worry that the thing will fold under you at any minute, and you know you won't be doing it long enough to get bored.

Unless the show does such great box office that the run is extended . . . but it's been playing for a while, so I'd be surprised. Pleasantly surprised. ;D

[rducasey]

maggiethecat said:

housemouse said:

Could it be he took the part because he knew it would only be running until then?

That works for me, especially considering his work history. Some actors like the security of a long run (usually those with mortgages and kids). With a limited run -- which this seems to be unless the Times got it wrong -- you have the security of having a job for a while, you don't have to worry that the thing will fold under you at any minute, and you know you won't be doing it long enough to get bored.

Unless the show does such great box office that the run is extended . . . but it's been playing for a while, so I'd be surprised. Pleasantly surprised. ;D

And I just read it is going out on tour, so does that happen after it closes on broadway?

[housemouse]

rducasey said:

maggiethecat said:

That works for me, especially considering his work history. Some actors like the security of a long run (usually those with mortgages and kids). With a limited run -- which this seems to be unless the Times got it wrong -- you have the security of having a job for a while, you don't have to worry that the thing will fold under you at any minute, and you know you won't be doing it long enough to get bored.

Unless the show does such great box office that the run is extended . . . but it's been playing for a while, so I'd be surprised. Pleasantly surprised. ;D

And I just read it is going out on tour, so does that happen after it closes on broadway?

So does that mean I might have the chance to see him in Doubt on Broadway and in LA?

What a shame, I can't get my money back for the ticket I already bought, and I have booked a flight. Oh well, I may have to see it twice!

[housemouse]

Here's an article I found:

FeatureArticle
New Cast Members, Same Troubling Doubt; Lenox Welcomes Trio to Broadway
By Kenneth Jones, Playbill On-Line

"Eileen Atkins is one of three new players starting Jan. 10 in the Broadway production of the Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning play Doubt, at the Walter Kerr Theatre.

In the lauded play by John Patrick Shanley, four-time Tony Award nominee Atkins plays Sister Aloysius, the sharp, steely nun who runs a Bronx Catholic school and suspects a popular priest of misconduct with a male student.

Also on Jan. 10, Ron Eldard (Broadway´s On the Waterfront and Death of a Salesman) joins the production as charismatic Father Flynn, and Jena Malone (of the feature film "Pride and Prejudice") starts work as young Sister James, pulled between her colleagues. They are welcomed by Adriane Lenox, who won the 2005 Best Featured Actress Tony Award for playing Mrs. Muller, the mother of the boy.

Cherry Jones (Sister Aloysius), Brian F. O´Byrne (Father Flynn) and Heather Goldenhersh (Sister James) — who originated their roles Off-Broadway in fall 2004 at Manhattan Theatre Club, and then leapt to Broadway where Jones won the Tony and O´Byrne and Goldenhersh were nominated — exited the Broadway production Jan. 8.

Doug Hughes directs the 90-minute John Patrick Shanley play. Shanley, Hughes, the producers and Cherry Jones all won Tony Awards for their work on the bracing drama. The play also won the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Frozen veteran O´Byrne´s next Broadway assignment will be Conor McPherson´s Shining City, for Manhattan Theatre Club, which launched Doubt. Spring performances play MTC´s Biltmore.

Queens native Ron Eldard appeared on Broadway in Robert Falls´ production of Arthur Miller´s Death of a Salesman, with Brian Dennehy (also on Showtime), On the Waterfront, directed by Terry Kinney, and Neil Simon´s Biloxi Blues. Off-Broadway credits include Neil LaBute´s bash with Calista Flockhart and Paul Rudd (also in Beverly Hills and London), Aven´ U Boys, Servy ´n´ Bernice 4 Ever, Carrying School Children. His film credits include "Diggers," "Freedomland," "Fathers and Sons," "House of Sand and Fog," "Ghost Ship," "Black Hawk Down," "Just a Kiss," "The Runner," "Mystery, Alaska," "Deep Impact," "Delivered," "Sleepers," "Captive," "The Last Supper," "Scent of a Woman," as well as the TV series, "Blind Justice."

Eldard is a former golden gloves boxer. In the play about possible sexual impropriety, Father Flynn in a sports enthusiast who inspires his young male students.

Jena Malone will make her Broadway debut as Sister James, the young nun caught between the popular priest and a fierce elder sister. Malone stars as Lydia Bennett in the current hit film version of "Pride and Prejudice."

Atkins is one of England´s leading actresses, has appeared on New York stages in such plays as The Killing of Sister George (Tony nomination), The Promise, Vivat! Vivat! Regina (Tony nomination), Indiscretions (Tony nomination), The Retreat from Moscow (Tony nomination), A Room of One´s Own and Vita and Virginia.

"Set against the backdrop of a Bronx Catholic school in 1964, Doubt is the story of a strong-minded woman faced with a difficult decision," according to producers. "Should she voice concerns about one of her male colleagues…even if she´s not entirely certain of the truth?"

Set design is by John Lee Beatty, costume design is by Catherine Zuber, lighting design is by Pat Collins, original music and sound design is by David Van Tieghem.

Doubt is produced by Carole Shorenstein Hays, MTC Productions Inc. (Lynne Meadow, artistic director; Barry Grove, executive producer), Roger Berlind and Scott Rudin."

[bjobsessed]

anna said:

Apparently, if they do appear on Theater Talk, we can order tapes of the episode.

www.theatertalk.org/

I know I don't have to say this, but humour me anyway. Someone needs to let us know if it happens.

[bjobsessed]

housemouse said:

So does that mean I might have the chance to see him in Doubt on Broadway and in LA?

What a shame, I can't get my money back for the ticket I already bought, and I have booked a flight. Oh well, I may have to see it twice!

You wouldn't really want your money back would you? Then you wouldn't be meeting us and we wouldn't be meeting you. That's the other half of the fun.

And I know you wouldn't cry if you had to see it twice.

[anna]

Can you believe it?!!! From Playbill Online:

Eileen Atkins, Ron Eldard and Jena Malone have all been hit with a case of the flu, and will not begin their run in Broadway's Doubt Jan. 10, as expected.

A show spokesman told Playbill.com that the three actors—who replace original stars Cherry Jones (Sister Aloysius), Brian F. O'Byrne (Father Flynn) and Heather Goldenhersh (Sister James)—passed around the bug during rehearsal. Producers made the decision that they were all too ill to perform.

Taking the stage at the Walter Kerr instead will be understudies Lizbeth MacKay (Sister Aloysius), Stevie Ray Dallimore (Flynn) and Nadia Bowers (Sisters James).

Adriane Lenox, who won the 2005 Best Featured Actress Tony Award for playing Mrs. Muller, and is the sole remaining original cast member, will perform.

[kenina]

anna said:

Can you believe it?!!! From Playbill Online:

Eileen Atkins, Ron Eldard and Jena Malone have all been hit with a case of the flu, and will not begin their run in Broadway's Doubt Jan. 10, as expected.

A show spokesman told Playbill.com that the three actors—who replace original stars Cherry Jones (Sister Aloysius), Brian F. O'Byrne (Father Flynn) and Heather Goldenhersh (Sister James)—passed around the bug during rehearsal. Producers made the decision that they were all too ill to perform.

Taking the stage at the Walter Kerr instead will be understudies Lizbeth MacKay (Sister Aloysius), Stevie Ray Dallimore (Flynn) and Nadia Bowers (Sisters James).

Adriane Lenox, who won the 2005 Best Featured Actress Tony Award for playing Mrs. Muller, and is the sole remaining original cast member, will perform.

No, I really can't believe it (says the woman with a ticket to Saturday night's performance). Please pray for his quickly-returning health!!!!

[housemouse]

bjobsessed said:

housemouse said:

So does that mean I might have the chance to see him in Doubt on Broadway and in LA?

What a shame, I can't get my money back for the ticket I already bought, and I have booked a flight. Oh well, I may have to see it twice!

You wouldn't really want your money back would you? Then you wouldn't be meeting us and we wouldn't be meeting you. That's the other half of the fun.

And I know you wouldn't cry if you had to see it twice.

I have been told before that sarcasm doesn't not translate well in writing, now I know it is true. I was being sarcastic, sorry. I was just thinking this morning that there is sooo much more to this trip now than the play, that I wouldn't miss it for anything. Even if Ron and his co-stars are still fighting the flu.

Besides, you are absolutely right, I would not cry if I had to see it twice, more likely I would jump up and down screaming.

[mlm828]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery to all three flu sufferers!

Now, two questions for those who are more knowledgeable about the theater: Is there any possibility, realistically, that the leads in the Broadway production (specifically, Ron) would be in the national touring company? If not, is there any chance he would appear in certain other cities, e.g. Los Angeles?

[anna]

mlm828 said:

Best wishes for a speedy recovery to all three flu sufferers!

Now, two questions for those who are more knowledgeable about the theater: Is there any possibility, realistically, that the leads in the Broadway production (specifically, Ron) would be in the national touring company? If not, is there any chance he would appear in certain other cities, e.g. Los Angeles?

RE and Jena Malone were supposed to perform the matinee today, so they must be feeling better.

I don't think that there is any possibility that these Broadway leads would be in a national touring company. At most, RE might perform in LA, but "Doubt" already played in LA with another cast and did not do well.

[mlm828]

anna said:

RE and Jena Malone were supposed to perform the matinee today, so they must be feeling better.

I don't think that there is any possibility that these Broadway leads would be in a national touring company. At most, RE might perform in LA, but "Doubt" already played in LA with another cast and did not do well.

Thanks for the good news about two of the three flu patients. As for the possibility RE might appear in LA, your answer is pretty much what I expected. I am so tempted to look for a cheap air fare to NYC sometime between now and May 7. . . .

[maggiethecat]

Here's the dirt:

Ron Eldard and Jena Malone will make their debuts in Doubt at the January 11 matinee, according to a production spokesperson. Eileen Atkins is still sidelined with the flu. Atkins, Eldard and Malone were expected to start performances in Doubt on January 10 but were all sidelined with the flu. The January 10 performance featured returning cast member Adriane Lenox appearing alongside understudies Lizbeth MacKay, Stevie Ray Dallimore and Nadia Bowers. With Eldard and Malone healthy enough to return, the January 11 matinee will only feature one understudy, MacKay.
A decision about whether Atkins can perform tonight is being made later today.


Poor baby! A matinee, followedby a break of not more than a few hours, then an evening performance?

BTW, hate to be a bubble-burster, but Ron Eldard touring, at this stage in his career? Far more likely they'll send out the understudies or a second string cast. Sigh.