The world premiere of Mother Play by Paula Vogel officially opened April 25 via Second Stage Theater, and the reviews are rolling in. The production began performances April 3 at the company's Helen Hayes Theater, with Tina Landau (SpongeBob SquarePants) directing.
The cast features Tony winner Celia Keenan-Bolger, Emmy winner Jim Parsons, and Oscar, Emmy, and Tony winner Jessica Lange. They are supported by understudies Jillian Geurts, Tasha Lawrence, and Zachary Prince.
Read the reviews here.
Broadway News (Brittani Samuel)
CitiTour NYC (Brian Scott Lipton)
Digital Journal (Markos Papadatos)
Entertainment Weekly (Christian Holub)
New York Daily News (Chris Jones)*
New York Magazine/Vulture (Jackson McHenry)*
New York Stage Review (Steve Suskin, Frank Scheck)
New York Theater (Jonathan Mandell)
New York Theatre Guide (Allison Considine)
The New York Times (Alexis Soloski)*
The Wall Street Journal (Charles Isherwood)*
*This review may require creating a free account or a paid subscription.
Playbill will continue to update this list as reviews come in.
Set in 1962 on the outskirts of Washington, D.C., Mother Play explores the power family holds over us through matriarch Phyllis and her children, Carl and Martha, as they reckon with unpacking the past.
Click here to purchase the opening night Playbill for Mother Play
Mother Play features scenic design by David Zinn, costume design by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Jen Schriever, sound design by Jill BC Du Boff, production design by Shawn Duan, hair and wig by Matthew Armentrout, and vocal coaching by Gigi Buffington.
The dance within the piece has been choreographed by Christopher Gattelli. Casting is by The Telsey Office. The stage manager is Braun Bauer, and John C. Moore is the production stage manager.