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BWW Flashback: THE ELEPHANT MAN Concludes Broadway Run Tonight; Cooper Heads to the Oscars!
By: BWW Special Coverage Feb. 21, 2015
Bradley Cooper, who leads Broadway's The Elephant Man, has earned a 2015 Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and Best Picture for the film American Sniper. To allow Mr. Cooper to attend the award ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 22, The Elephant Man plays its final Broadway performance tonight, February 21, at Broadway's Booth Theatre (222 West 45th Street, NYC). In honor of closing night, BroadwayWorld flashes back to the show's journey to Broadway below!
Based on the real life of Joseph Merrick, The Elephant Man tells the story of a 19th-century British man (Cooper) who became a star of the traveling freak show circuit. When the renowned Dr. Treves (Nivola) takes Merrick under his care, he is astonished by the man's brilliant intelligence, unshakable faith and, most of all, his resounding desire for love and understanding. He introduces Merrick to the beautiful actress Mrs. Kendal (Clarkson), who is deeply touched by this pure and genuine soul. As a complex friendship blossoms among the three, Treves and Kendal struggle to protect Merrick from a world of questionable intentions... and so begins a story of love as unique as "The Elephant Man" himself.
In August 2012, the play opened at Williamstown Theatre Festival:
Photo Credit: T. Charles Erickson
Bradley Cooper and Alessandro Nivola
Bradley Cooper and Alessandro Nivola
Shuler Hensley, Henry Stram, and Alessandro Nivola
Henry Stram and Alessandro Nivola
Bradley Cooper and Patricia Clarkson
The company
Bradley Cooper, Alessandro Nivola, and Patricia Clarkson
Alessandro Nivola, Bradley Cooper (background) and Henry Stram (foreground)
Bradley Cooper and Patricia Clarkson
Bradley Cooper and Shuler Hensley
Bradley Cooper and Shuler Hensley
Bradley Cooper and Alessandro Nivola
Henry Stram and Alessandro Nivola
Bradley Cooper and Patricia Clarkson
In January 2014, official word came that the play would move to Broadway later in the year:
Photo Credit: Walter McBride
Theatre Marquee unveiling for 'The Elephant Man' starring Bradley Cooper, Patricia Clarkson and Alessandro Nivola at the Booth Theatre in New York City.
'The Elephant Man'
'The Elephant Man'
'The Elephant Man'
'The Elephant Man'
'The Elephant Man'
'The Elephant Man'
The company began rehearsals in Fall 2014:
Photo Credit: Walter McBride
'The Elephant Man'
'The Elephant Man'
Bradley Cooper and director Scott Ellis
Bradley Cooper and director Scott Ellis
Bradley Cooper, Director Scott Ellis, Patricia Clarkson and Alessandro Nivola
Bradley Cooper, Director Scott Ellis, Patricia Clarkson and Alessandro Nivola
Bradley Cooper, Director Scott Ellis, Patricia Clarkson and Alessandro Nivola
Performances began on November 7 at the Booth Theatre:
Photo credit: Walter McBride
Theatre Marquee
Theatre Marquee
Theatre Marquee
Theatre Marquee
Ensemble cast
Anthony Heald, Bradley Cooper, Patricia Clarkson and Alessandro Nivola zand cast
Anthony Heald, Bradley Cooper, Patricia Clarkson, Alessandro Nivola and Kathryn Meisle
Scott Lowell, Anthony Heald, Bradley Cooper, Patricia Clarkson, Alessandro Nivola, Kathryn Meisle, Henry Stram and cast
Patricia Clarkson and Alessandro Nivola
Anthony Heald, Bradley Cooper and Patricia Clarkson
Anthony Heald, Bradley Cooper and Patricia Clarkson
Anthony Heald, Bradley Cooper, Patricia Clarkson, Alessandro Nivola and Kathryn Meisle
The play officially opened on December 7, 2014:
Photo Credit: Walter McBride
Christopher Bannow
Christopher Bannow
Christopher Bannow
James L. Nederlander and wife Margo
Director Scott Ellis
Director Scott Ellis
Director Scott Ellis and Bradley Cooper
Director Scott Ellis and Bradley Cooper
Bradley Cooper, Director Scott Ellis and Alessandro Nivola
Director Scott Ellis and Bradley Cooper
Director Scott Ellis
Emma Thorne
Emma Thorne
Emma Thorne
