By Karen Carter | Posted on March 24, 2018 10:43 AM
Revival of Eugene O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh Began Previews at Broadway’s Jacobs Theatre Starring Denzel Washington as Hickey in a Production Directed by George C. Wolfe.
Fifth Broadway Production of Epic Classic
On March 23, 2018, George C. Wolfe’s revival of Eugene O’Neill’s classic masterpiece The Iceman Cometh began previews at Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, ahead of its opening night scheduled for April 26, and closing performance on July 1, 2018. The play was originally slated to begin on March 22, but the snowstorm delayed the arrival of set pieces.This play first premiered on Broadway in 1946, and received mixed reviews. Only after O’Neill’s death in 1953 did the show become a classic. In 1956, the play was revived Off-Broadway, and that production was an unqualified success, cementing it as a great modern tragedy.
In 1973, the play had its first Broadway revival, starring James Earl Jones as Theodore “Hickey” Hickman. The 1985 revival starred Jason Robards, reprising his role from the 1956 Off-Broadway version. The 1990 production at Chicago's Goodman Theatre starred Brian Dennehy, and the 1999 production at London’s Old Vic Theatre starred Kevin Spacey. The 1999 Broadway revival also starred Spacey. In 2015, the Brooklyn Academy of Music production starred Nathan Lane, with Dennehy as Larry Slade. The 2018 revival continues the tradition of great actors in the role of Hickey: Denzel Washington.
George C. Wolfe Directs Powerhouse Ensemble Cast
Denzel Washington
This current revival is directed by five-time Tony Award winner George C. Wolfe (The Normal Heart, Caroline or Change, Topdog / Underdog). Washington stars as Hickey, marking his fifth Broadway outing following A Raisin in the Sun (2014), Fences (2010), Julius Caesar (2005), and Checkmates (1988). Washington is renowned for his film roles, including two Academy Awards for Glory (1989) and Training Day (2001).
The role of Cora is played by Tammy Blanchard (How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Gypsy, both of which earned her Tony Award nominations for Best Featured Actress). She also won a Primetime Emmy Award in 2001 for her lead role in Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows. Tony Award winner Bill Irwin (Bye Bye Birdie, Waiting for Godot) plays Ed Mosher, and Tony Award winner Frank Wood (Hughie, Clybourne Park, August: Osage County) plays Cecil Lewis.
More Impressive Casting Rounds Out Ensemble
The role of Don Parritt is played by Austin Butler making his Broadway debut. He is well known for such film and television roles as Switched at Birth, Ruby & the Rockits, The Carrie Diaries, The Shannara Chronicles, and Aliens in the Attic. The role of Pearl is played by Carolyn Braver, who previously appeared on Broadway in Airline Highway. The role of Lieb is played by Joe Forbrich, whose previous Broadway credits include The Front Page and The Crucible. The role of Moran is played by Thomas Michael Hammond, whose previous Broadway credits include A View from the Bridge.
In addition, Neal Huff (Take Me Out, The Lion in Winter) plays Willie Oban, Danny Mastrogiorgio (The Front Page, Rocky) plays Chuck Morello, Dakin Matthews (Waitress, The Audience) plays Piet Wetjoen, Danny McCarthy (Grace) plays Rocky Pioggi, Colm Meaney (A Moon for the Misbegotten) plays Harry Hope, David Morse (The Seafarer, On the Waterfront) plays Larry Slade, Michael Potts (1984, Jitney, The Book of Mormon) plays Mr. Hawkins, and Reg Rogers (Present Laughter, You Can’t Take It With You) plays James Cameron.
