The new Broadway production of Arthur Miller‘s A View from the Bridge, which stars Liev Schrieber, Scarlett Johansson and others, went into previews in NYC last night at the Cort Theater ahead of it’s official opening on January 24, 2010 (for a limited 14-week engagement. Here is a photo of Scarlett and Liev as they stopped to sign a few autographs after last night’s debut performance and some deets about the show itself:
Tony Award winner Liev Schreiber plays bruising Italian-American longshoreman Eddie Carbone in the new Broadway production of Arthur Miller’s A View From the Bridge, beginning previews Dec. 28. In director Gregory Mosher’s new staging of the Greek tragedy-inspired drama, Golden Globe nominee Scarlett Johansson (“Match Point,” “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”) makes her Broadway debut as the object of Eddie’s affection, his niece. She’s attracted to a newly arrived immigrant cousin, Rodolpho, played by Santino Fontana (Billy Elliot), arousing Eddie’s anger. Also joining Tony Award winner Schreiber (Glengarry Glen Ross, Talk Radio) at the Cort Theatre are Jessica Hecht, Michael Cristofer and Corey Stoll, plus Alex Cendese, Anthony DeSando, Antoinette LaVecchia, Mark Morettini, Joe Ricci, Morgan Spector, Robert Turano and Marco Verna. Opening is Jan. 24, 2010. A 14-week engagement has been announced. According to production notes, “In A View From the Bridge, Miller’s most passionate drama, Schreiber plays Eddie Carbone, a Brooklyn longshoreman obsessed with his 17-year-old niece Catherine, played by Scarlett Johansson. When Catherine falls in love with a newly arrived immigrant [played by Fontana], Eddie’s jealousy erupts in a rage that consumes him, his family, and his world.” The play was first seen on Broadway in 1955 as a short play paired with A Memory of Two Mondays. (Miller is, of course, the major American playwright known for All My Sons, Death of a Salesman and The Crucible.) A View From the Bridge resurfaced Off-Broadway in 1965, starring Robert Duvall. A 1983 Broadway revival starred Tony LoBianco. In 1997, Anthony LaPaglia played Eddie in a Roundabout Theatre Company Broadway revival. The actor won a Tony for his turn, and the production won the Tony as Best Revival.
On the one hand, I would LOVE to see Liev Schrieber on the Broadway stage. He is actually a pretty fantastic actor (X-Men Origins: Wolverine notwithstanding). On the other hand, I can’t for the life of me imagine that Scarlett Johansson would be very good on the live performance stage. But … what do I know? After the jump, check out a short promo video that features Liev and Scarlett (among others) talking up the play …
Arthur Miller is a genius playwright … here’s hoping these actors are able to do his work justice.
[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]
Umm the Painted Veil is one movie i just love the acting. I randomly watched it, not real interested and it blew me away. Naomi really deserved more credit for her role and a lot more nominations and awards. Even though Liev isn’t a main character and hardly even a supporting actor in the film, its the first one that came to mind with him in it and the acting is just wonderful.
—
If you haven’t seen it people, go hire it! It’s a great movie.
[...] Johansson Invades Broadway (Pink Is The New Blog) Taylor Dumped Taylor [...]
Saw this last night in a pre-opening performance. Surprisingly, I think its success will hinge less on the draw of Liev Schreiber and Scarlett Johansson then on Jessica Hecht’s ability to bring emotional depth to her portrayal of Beatrice.
Liev Schreiber was powerful in his role as Eddie Carbone. He reveals Eddies obsession and delusion with consumate skill. Accent and lines are spot on and his dramatic and comedic timing are perfect. But his body language still says “accomplished, upper class, athletic” – not “frustrated, laborer, delusional, desperately and shamelessly trying to hold on to the object of his obsession” This is still pre-opening and I expect when he will master the body language shortly as well.
Scarlett Johansson’s Catherine deftly emotes the conflct of a young woman’s innocence and desire. She is a wonderfully talented actress.
Michael Cristofer was excellent in his role as Alfieri, our narrator, both completely aware and yet unable to divert Eddie from his self destructive path.
Morgan Spector as Rudolpho, and Cory Stoll as Marco both put in solid performances as did the rest of the cast.
Which brings me back to Beatrice. Ms. Hecht’s performance is the weakest of the leading roles. There is no sense in her voice of the inner suffering caused her by Eddie’s obsession with Catherine. No sense of her bitterness towards Eddie in her voice. Not even a credible note of resignation. No sense that she understands it all but keeps it quietly hidden behind a facade of duty bordering on martyrdom. The lines say it all, but her voice does not carry the emotional intent. Less accent, more emotion – if she hits that mark, the play will be a resounding success.