The Heiress in October 2012

[bobs3]

This could very well be the "hit" of the fall season. Jessica Chastain, David Strathairn, and Dan Stevens (I can only hope they are considering Dianne Weist to play Aunt Lavinia). Given the stature and schedules of the actors involved, I assume it will be a limited run.

[EricMontreal22]

Been a big fan of Stevens ever since he played the lead in the BBC adaptation of Hollinghurst's The Line of Beauty--while I admit the role belongs to Monty in my head, and I find the play itself slightly pedestrian as a good but not great Henry James adaptation, I agree with this cast and team it really could turn out to be a great revival.

As for Stevens and Downton Abbey, I believe they film from March to late Summer--or have in the past, so I assume that could mean he'd only be able to play the role till then..

[bobs3]

If they can't get Dianne Weist to play Aunt Lavinia, I could picture any of the following actors in the role:

Frances Conroy
Patricia Clarkson
Blair Brown
Mary Beth Hurt

[EricMontreal22]

I'd love either Blair Brown or Clarkson.

[bobs3]

Also, the three Kates -- Burton, Mulgrew and Nelligan.

[South Fl Marc]

Personally, I would cast Cherry Jones as Lavinia.

She was so amazing as Catherine it would be a real treat to see her do it. She is the right age.

[dreaming]

Kate Burton!

And as a huge Downton Abbey fan as well as one admires Ms. Chastain's work, count me in that audience!!!

[After Eight]

The play is an effective and viable Henry James adaptation. Its two most recent Broadway productions were both excellent.

I wouldn't mind seeing a revival of the same authors' adaptation of Gide's The Immoralist. Louis Jourdan and Geraldine Page were in the original. I wish I had seen that one.

[bobs3]

I am still haunted by that final image of Cherry Jones walking up the staircase with the lamp as the lights shone through the scrim in the LCT production.

[EricMontreal22]

It certainly is an effective adaptation of Washington Square, I just personally find something about it a bit uninspired and workmanlike--however with a strong cast and great director/design team it hits all the perfect theatrical moments (and under lesser hands, the extreme simplification of the James novel stands out all the more). Anyway, I have high hopes for this, but yes, it'll be interesting to see who is cast as Lavinia.