Photo Credit: Joan Marcus
The Heiress currently on Broadway stars Jessica Jessica Chastain (Academy Award® nominee for The Help and star of Zero Dark Thirty) in her Broadway debut along with Dan Stevens (Matthew Crawley on Downton Abbey, yes that Matthew Crawley) also making his Broadway debut. The play which is based on Henry James’s novel Washington Square centers around Catherine Sloper, the shy and sheltered daughter of a prominent New Yorker who must navigate between her emotional distant father and her passionate young suitor.
When I was invited to see the show, I jumped at the chance. Who wouldn’t want to see Jessica Chastain, currentlyrocking it in Zero Dark Thirty and Dan Stevens aka Matthew Crawley on Downton Abbey, probably one of the hottest young actors to break out from the show.
What is there not to like about this mid-1800’s period piece: great acting, great scenery, period costumes, witty dialogue and daddy issues? Dan Stevens as lothario, spendthrift Morris Townsend does not disappoint. With his more than passable American accent, he exudes charm, wit and you can see how Catherine, the repressed doctor’s daughter falls for this likeable cad. I loved that the show started with some brevity from Aunt Livinia (Judith Ivey, two-time Tony Award® winner) and so wished that there was more later part of the show as it did get bogged down in heaviness from the interactions of the father and daughter. The scenes between Catherine and her father were tough to watch as a parent. No child should have to endure twenty years of petty and hurtful comments. And I was surprised at how it ended.
That said, all of the actors brought their A game and I would recommend this show. Sadly, we actually did not get to see Jessica Chastain in the title role as her understudy Mairin Lee performed the leading role. I will admit that I and many who came that evening were disapointed prior to the opening but OMG, I was totally impressed with Ms. Lee’s performance. She was amazing and frankly, I did not miss Ms. Chastain one bit. Ms. Lee’s performance totally won the audience over so much so that she received a standing ovation. Not bad for her first time on Broadway. I see big things for her.
The Heiress is written by Ruth and Augustus Goetz and directed by Tony Award®-nominated playwright and director Moisés Kaufman.
The Heiress
Walter Kerr Theatre
219 W. 48th Street
Running time: The running time is 2 hours and 45 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission
This is a limited run engagement and ends February 10, 2013.
Twitter: @TheHeiressBway
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHeiressBway
Twitter: @MamaDramaNY
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Thanks to @mamadramaNYC for hosting a fantastic evening and to John’s Pizzeria for providing a delicious pre-theatre meal
