WELL, the critically-acclaimed play written by Lisa Kron and directed by Leigh Silverman, will open on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre (220 West 48 Street) on March 30, 2006. Previews will begin on March 10. Obie Award winners Lisa Kron and Jayne Houdyshell will reprise the roles they created at The Public Theater last year. WELL is produced by Elizabeth I. McCann and Scott Rudin and Boyett Ostar.
Tony Award winner Tony Walton (sets) and John Gromada (sound) will join Miranda Hoffman (costumes) and Tony Award winner Christopher Akerlind (lighting) who designed the original production. In addition to Kron and Houdyshell, additional casting will be announced at a later date.WELL opens with Lisa Kron's mother sitting on a La-Z-Boy recliner in the middle of the stage. As the play goes on to deal with Kron's personal experiences of healing, a comedic coup d'état breaks out. The actors critique the script, her memories conflict with her flashbacks, her mother interrupts with her own opinions, and Kron finds herself in danger of losing control. The result is a hilarious and brazen piece that questions our thoughts on the conventions of both theatre and wellness. The New York Times hailed WELL as "something magical" and called it "wonderful" and a "deeply affecting play that has a warmth and accessibility that makes you want to recommend it to everyone." The Associated Press says, "Lisa Kron's hilarious, convention-breaking comedy is a nifty, highly personal look at the nature of theater itself." Variety declares it a "perceptive, achingly funny play."
WELL made its world premiere at the Public Theater in the spring of 2004, a production that was on the "Best of 2004" lists of The New York Times, The Associated Press, and The Star-Ledger. The production garnered Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, and Outer Critics Circle nominations and an OBIE award for Jayne Houdyshell's heartfelt, yet humorous portrayal of Kron's mother.WELL's box office opening, playing schedule and ticket prices will be announced in the near future.
