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Coming Soon
Not really Broadway but there was a reading at BAM tonight of a new play that apparently has been in the works for several years with Jessica Hecht, Mark Ruffalo, Kristine Nielson, and Norbert Leo Butz (to name a few).
They only read a few scenes from the play but it was pretty engaging-heavy material but it was written with some much needed moments of levity.
The show is about characters experiencing homelessness. After the performance Ruffalo and Hecht stayed to talk about the development process and then the issue of homelessness with some special guests (women who run various organizations to aid those dealing with being unhoused).
Ruffalo seemed to indicate wanting to get a formal production of the show running, seemingly preferably at BAM.
It would be interesting if this somehow made it to Broadway this season as it is extremely crowded with celebrity led plays. (The Iron Man vs Hulk jokes would be endless).
Curious if anyone else was there tonight and had thoughts? I loved seeing Ruffalo perform live-beyond a few line flubs he was great. The subject material is definitely not going to be a crowd-pleaser but I think this could be a potentially great off-Broadway production.
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Thanks for sharing your experience! The story is well known as a book and a movie (starring Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson) I can see it working well on stage.
Jessica Hecht is a freaking jewel. Always happy to see her onstage, and turns out she is also eloquent when interviewed. I re-read the book when I found out about this and saw the movie 30+ years ago, so that colors my opinion. It is Kennedy’s subtle and descriptive writing that makes the story powerful and gives the characters dignity. So maybe they mean to continue with an Our Town-like narrator (who was William freaking Kennedy himself tonight), which kinda breaks the dramatic tension of the story onstage. I would like to see more than two scenes though; it is such a good story and if they can communicate even half of the book’s themes it will be well worth the effort.
This is all helpful context-thanks! I honestly knew nothing about the book or movie. I saw Ruffalo and Hecht’s names and bought a ticket. She is such an incredible live performer. Would definitely go see a finished version of the show if it happens.