There is a long and often noteworthy tradition of film and TV stars plying their trade in plays and musicals on Broadway and Off-Broadway, sometimes adding an extra dash of Hollywood dazzle to the theatre world.
The new Broadway season has no shortage of bold-faced, Hollywood names appearing on theatre stages up and down Broadway, actors primarily known for their work with film and TV. Ah, but the allure of live performance is a strong one; the thrill of performing in front of a live audience is something tough to find in the stop-start production style of shooting a TV show, or filming a movie.
If your next visit to NYC includes a Broadway show, then for sure visit TicketsatWork.com for amazing ticket deals to many of the finest shows of the new season – featuring a who’s who of ‘Hollywood’ folks who have been drawn back to the stage by the siren song of Broadway.
- Keira Knightley stars in Thérèse Raquin
Known for her film roles in Pride & Prejudice, Love Actually, the Pirates of the Caribbean series, and The Imitation Game, Academy Award®, Golden Globe® and Olivier nominee Keira Knightley joins up with the Roundabout Theatre Company’s striking new adaptation of Thérèse Raquin in her Broadway debut. Let TicketsatWork.com save you over 25% on select seats! A quiet young woman with a restless spirit, Thérèse (Knightley) submits to a loveless life at the side of her weak and selfish, and her controlling mother-in-law (two-time Tony Award winner Judith Light)… until she meets his childhood friend, Laurent. When their overwhelming passion spins violently out of control, they realize that love can be a dangerous game, and sometimes there is no winner. Based on the novel by Émile Zola, Thérèse Raquin by Helen Edmundson is a tale of love, lust, betrayal and guilt that will leave you breathless.
- Jennifer Hudson stars in The Color Purple
Starring Oscar®, Golden Globe® and Grammy® winner Jennifer Hudson, The Color Purple is set to begin performances November 10, with opening night set for December 10 at the Jacobs Theatre. Based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel, The Color Purple is an unforgettable story of enduring love and triumph over adversity. With a fresh, joyous score of jazz, ragtime, gospel and blues, this stirring family chronicle follows the inspirational Celie, as she journeys from childhood through joy and despair, anguish and hope to discover the power of love and life.
- Clive Owen stars in Old Times
The talented Clive Owen stars in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s fall revival of Harold Pinter’s Old Times. Currently drawing high praise for his lead role on Showtime’s drama The Knick, Owen makes his Broadway debut with Old Times, a drama of desire and blurred realities. Owen plays Deeley, a man looking forward to meeting Anna (Eve Best), a long-ago friend of his wife, Kate (Kelly Reilly). But as the night goes on, Anna’s visit quickly shifts from an ordinary sharing of memories to a quiet battle for power. Save over 25% on select seats at TicketsatWork.com.
- James Earl Jones and Cicely Tyson star in The Gin Game
Now this is exciting: James Earl Jones and Cicely Tyson share a Broadway stage for the first time in 49 years in D.L. Coburn’s 1978 Pulitzer Prize winner. And we have an exclusive offer on Orchestra Seats. Two-time Tony Award® winner James Earl Jones squares off with three-time Emmy® and Tony Award® winner Cicely Tyson in the story of two people who meet on the porch of their nursing home and strike up a friendship, with Weller [Jones] teaching Fonsia [Tyson] how to play gin rummy. As they play, they share stories about the lives they led in the outside world. But when Fonsia wins every hand, Weller becomes increasingly frustrated, until their gin games and conversations become a battleground, with each player exposing the other’s failures, disappointments and insecurities.
- Bruce Willis stars in Misery
He’ll always be David Addison (Moonlighting) to me, and for others probably John McClane from the Die Hard movies, but the two-time Emmy® and Golden Globe® Award winner Bruce Willis is now starring in the new Broadway suspense thriller Misery. Based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name and directed By Will Frears, the limited 16-week engagement begins previews Oct. 22 and opens Nov. 15 at the Broadhurst Theatre.
No doubt you have probably seen the film version of Misery a few dozen times on TV (starring Kathy Bates in her Oscar®-winning role), here’s a quick recap of the story: Following a near fatal car accident, a world-famous novelist finds himself in a strange house being nursed back to health by his doting, self-proclaimed Number One Fan. But as her love for his work turns to dangerous obsession, he realizes he must plot his most important story yet: how to escape with his life. Willis co-stars with fellow Emmy®-Award winner Laurie Metcalf.
- George Takei stars in Allegiance
Best known for his portrayal of Mr. Sulu in the acclaimed television and film series Star Trek, George Takei stars in this new production inspired by his personal story. Playing at the Longacre Theatre, Allegiance follows one family’s extraordinary journey in this untold American story. A story of family, love and patriotism set during World War II and beyond, Allegiance follows veteran Sam Otsuka and his sister Kei as they find themselves torn between loyalty to their family and allegiance to their country. Save over 30% on tickets to Allegiance.
- Al Pacino stars in China Doll
Be it on stage or screen Al Pacino is an icon. The Oscar®, Emmy® and Tony Award® winner returns to Broadway in the David Mamet play “China Doll,” set for a November opening at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater. The two-actor play revolves around a rich man (Pacino) who’s just bought a plane for his fiancé. Just before leaving the office he stops to give his assistant a couple of instructions and take one last phone call.
Watch Pacino and Tony® and Pulitzer Prize winner Mamet join forces in a fascinating new play about big money, fast planes, a beautiful young woman and other objects of desire. This has must-see written all over it! China Doll is Pacino’s 12th appearance on Broadway, including The Merchant of Venice and Salomé, among others. Pacino was last seen on Broadway portraying the role of Shelly Levene in Mamet’s much-admired Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Glengarry Glen Ross.
By: Jeff Hyatt
TicketsatWork Blog 