One of the hottest shows in New York right now is playing at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. A revival of Eugene O'Neill's A MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN, directed by Howard Davies, which played to very raving audiences at London's Old Vic Theatre, comes to New York with it's amazing cast intact and ready to take New York by storm. The celebrated cast of Kevin Spacey, Eve Best, Colm Meaney, Billy Carter and Eugene O'Hare are reprising their roles for the Broadway revival, which officially opened April 9 and closes on June 10.
I had the amazing chance to speak with one of the stars of the show. Colm Meaney and I talked recently about the production before the show opened. Meaney created the role of Phil in the highly acclaimed Old Vic Theatre production of A MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN and was subsequently nominated for the Olivier Award for his performance. He won a well-deserved Obie Award for his outstanding performance in THE CIDER HOUSE RULES. Many audiences may know Meaney for his television and film appearances. His fim credits include THE COMMITMENTS, THE SNAPPER, for which he won a Golden Globe Award, THE ROAD TO WELLVILLE, CON AIR, MYSTERY ALASKA, UNDER SIEGE, THE ENGLISHMAN THAT WENT UP A HILL BUT CAME DOWN A MOUNTAIN, INTO THE WEST and How Harry Became a Tree for which he received a Best Actor Award at the Irish Film Awards. His television credits include COVERT ONE: THE HADES FACTOR," "SCARLETT," "RANDOM PASSAGE," "BOSS LEAR," "THE UNIT," "LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL Intent." But many people will remember Meaney for his role as Chief Miles O'Brien on STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION and STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE.
Meaney and I had a great conversation about things recently before a one of the previews about the show and life as an actor. So it begins….
TJ: So, this isn't your first time performing on Broadway?
MEANEY: No, it's not. It's been awhile though. My last show in New York was in 1999. I did Dr. Larch in THE CIDER HOUSE RULES at the Atlantic Theatre Company. Prior to that, it was 1987 to 1988 with BREAKING THE CODE on Broadway with Derek Jacobi.
TJ: And that was your first time on Broadway?
MEANEY: Yes, it was.
TJ: How does it feel to be back?
MEANEY: It's great. It's been a long time…a lot of water under the bridge. You know, with this production in particular, it's a real pleasure. It's a terrific production and a terrific company.
TJ: How did you get involved with the show?
MEANEY: Well, I got a call from Howard to talk to me about the project. I kind of split my time these days between Los Angeles and Spain. We spent this last summer in Spain and finally got back to Los Angeles in September. They had called me in late June – July and I was a bot reluctant, to be honest with you. In terms of the family, it was a bit complicated to commit to five months in London, you know? I made the mistake of re-reading the play and when you read the play, you realize it's such rich, wonderful, emotional writing with great, great characters. So, I felt I had to go do it. It's been such a pleasure. Howard Davies is one of the great directors working in the theatre. He's very special and I think the production speaks to that. It's a terrific production.
