The Hollywood Stage: Bryan Cranston, Michael C. Hall, Keri Russell and ‘Tootsie’ headed for the theater
Our latest roundup of love affairs between Hollywood and the theater world include Michael C. Hall, Keri Russell and Adam Driver, among the names from TV and film to head to Broadway.
Here is some of the most notable casting and production news:
“Network”: Emmy Award-winning actor Bryan Cranston returns to Broadway as the infamous anchorman Howard Beale, whose full-throated refrain, “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore” remains a most memorable moment from the 1976 Academy Award-winning film. The live adaptation is transferring to the Cort Theatre after a sold-out run at London’s National Theatre. Performances are scheduled to begin Nov. 10.
“Glengarry Glen Ross”: Theater veteran Amy Morton will be directing an all-female version of David Mamet’s 1984 Pulitzer Prize-winning play about conniving real estate agents in the Windy City. Mamet adapted the play into a 1992 film. Morton’s version is to begin performances in 2019, with specific dates, casting and venue yet to be announced.
“Tootsie”: The 1982 comedy starred Dustin Hoffman as an actor who dresses as a woman to score a starring role on a daytime soap opera. The theater adaptation, dubbed a “comedy musical,” will open at the Marquis Theatre on Broadway in 2019. The show features an original score by recent Tony Award winner David Yazbek (“The Band’s Visit”). Scott Ellis directs, and Robert Horn is writing the book. Previews begin March 29, with opening night scheduled for April 23.
“Thom Pain (based on nothing)”: “Dexter” and “Six Feet Under” star Michael C. Hall will play the title role in Signature Theatre’s Off-Broadway production of Will Eno’s 2004 one-man play, which had an L.A. run in 2016 starring Rainn Wilson. The play, directed by Obie Award-winner Oliver Butler, is set to begin previews on the Irene Diamond Stage on Oct. 23, with an opening night scheduled for Nov. 11.
“Burn This”: Keri Russell and Adam Driver will star in a Broadway revival of Lanford Wilson’s Pulitzer-winning 1987 play about the wounds left by the accidental drowning of a young, gay dancer. Tony winner Michael Mayer directs, with a venue yet to be announced. Performances begin in March.