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Mother Play Broadway

Mother Play 2024

Run Time:
1hr 30min, no intermission
Ages: 16+
Opened: April 25, 2024
Closing: June 16, 2024

Mother Play - 2024 Broadway History , Info & More

Pulitzer Prize winner Paula Vogel (How I Learned to Drive) has written a bitingly funny and unflinchingly honest new play about the hold our family has over us and the surprises we find when we unpack the past.

It’s 1962, just outside of D.C., and matriarch Phyllis (Jessica Lange) is supervising her teenage children, Carl (Jim Parsons) and Martha (Celia Keenan-Bolger), as they move into a new apartment. Phyllis has strong ideas about what her children need to do and be to succeed, and woe be the child who finds their own path. Bolstered by gin and cigarettes, the family endures — or survives — the changing world around them. Blending flares of imaginative theatricality, surreal farce, and deep tenderness, this beautiful roller coaster ride reveals timeless truths of love, family, and forgiveness.


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PREVIEW Mother Play - 2024 - Broadway

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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Mother Play

MOTHER PLAY: A MEMORY PLAY, PLUS COCKROACHES
7 / 10

Under the direction of Tina Landau, Keenan-Bolger and Parsons are predictably fine in their roles, even if they’re not being stretched much. But it’s Lange who commands the evening, displaying the sort of star power and stage command that make her a Broadway diva. Just the sight of her in various outfits, including ‘60s-era hippie denim, is a pleasure, and it’s worth the price of admission to see her launch into disco dancing (the audience, predictably, goes wild). She’s even given a lengthy silent, solo interlude in which she listens to music, has a drink, smokes, and attempts to eat a frozen meal that’s made no less unpalatable by generous doses of hot sauce. Other than conveying the character’s loneliness in her older years, the scene doesn’t have much reason for being. But as brilliantly played by Lange, it’s an acting lesson that every budding thespian should study.

'Mother Play' review — Jessica Lange plays a powerhouse matriarch
8 / 10

The play works because of the cast’s incredible ability to play both young and old characters, and solemn and funny ones. In particular, Parsons’s humor shines as Carl, a quick-witted genius who holds the family together. One of the play’s throughlines is touch — or rather, the lack of it. Director Tina Landau beautifully incorporates moments of closeness and distance through careful staging.

Video: Celia Keenan-Bolger Is Thrilled to Be a Part of a Tonys Trio
by Joey Mervis - June 8, 2024


In this video, watch as Tony nominee Celia Keenan-Bolger chats about her beloved Mother Play cast, the joy of being on Broadway, and so much more.

Video: Jim Parsons Says His Tony Nomination is a 'Symbol of Cast Unity'
by Joey Mervis - June 5, 2024


In this video, watch as Jim Parsons chats about his beloved castmates, why Mother Play means so much to him, and so much more.

Today's MOTHER PLAY Matinee Canceled Due to Illness
by Blair Ingenthron - May 26, 2024


According to Second Stage's Instagram story, the matinee of Mother Play has been canceled this afternoon due to 'an illness within the company.'

Video: Jessica Lange Discusses MOTHER PLAY and THE GREAT LILLIAN HALL
by Josh Sharpe - May 23, 2024


Tony-Award-winning actress Jessica Lange appeared on The View on Thursday to discuss her role in Paula Vogel's Mother Play. On the show, she also talks about her next project The Great Lillian Hall, an HBO film that centers on an aging Broadway performer who is struggling with memory loss. Watch the interview now!

Jessica Lange to Discuss MOTHER PLAY on THE VIEW Next Week
by Josh Sharpe - May 17, 2024


Tune in to see Jessica Lange on The View next week! The Tony-nominated actress will appear on the program on Thursday, May 23 to discuss her role in Paula Vogel's Mother Play, which is currently playing at the Hayes Theater. The daytime talk show airs each weekday from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. ET on ABC.

Video: Jessica Lange Opens Up About Her Mother of a Role
by Joey Mervis - May 15, 2024


In this video, watch as Tony nominee Jessica Lange chats about her beloved Mother Play co-stars, why this piece means so much to her, and so much more.

Video: Jim Parsons and Celia Keenan-Bolger Discuss Tony Noms and Working With Jessica Lange in MOTHER PLAY
by Josh Sharpe - May 13, 2024


Jim Parsons and Celia Keenan-Bolger stopped by The View on Monday to discuss the Tony-nominated Mother Play, where they are currently starring alongside Jessica Lange. The show marks Parsons' first-ever Tony nomination. Keenan-Bolger has been nominated 4 times prior, winning the award for her performance as Scout Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird. Watch the interview!

Photos: MOTHER PLAY Celebrates Opening Night on Broadway
by Bruce Glikas - April 29, 2024


Mother Play officially opened on Broadway on April 25 at the Hayes Theater. Check out photos of the cast and VIPs at the after party here!

Video: On the Red Carpet at MOTHER PLAY Opening Night
by Chloe Rabinowitz - April 26, 2024


Watch as Broadway World's Richard Ridge interviews the company of Mother Play on Broadway!

Photos: Inside Opening Night of MOTHER PLAY on Broadway
by Bruce Glikas - April 26, 2024


Mother Play officially opened on Broadway last night, April 25. We're taking you inside opening night in the all new photos here!

Review Roundup: MOTHER PLAY Opens On Broadway, Starring Jessica Lange, Jim Parsons & Celia Keenan-Bolger
by A.A. Cristi - April 25, 2024


Tony Award winner Celia Keenan-Bolger, Academy Award, Emmy Award, and Tony Award winner Jessica Lange, and Emmy Award, Golden Globe Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award winner Jim Parsons return to Broadway in the Second Stage's production of Mother Play. Read the reviews!

Photos: See Jessica Lange, Jim Parsons & Celia Keenan-Bolger in MOTHER PLAY
by Chloe Rabinowitz - April 23, 2024


Get a first look at photos of Jessica Lange, Jim Parsons and Celia Keenan-Bolger in Mother Play. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

Video: Jessica Lange Talks MOTHER PLAY on LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS
by Josh Sharpe - April 9, 2024


On Monday night, Jessica Lange appeared on Late Night with Seth Meyers to talk about her role in Mother Play as Phyllis, the matriarch of the family. Though she has worked extensively onstage (she was last seen on Broadway in the four-hour epic Long Day's Journey into Night,) this was the first time Lange has originated a role in a new work. Watch the video here!

Video: Jim Parsons Talks Playing a 14-Year Old in MOTHER PLAY on THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JIMMY FALLON
by Josh Sharpe - April 9, 2024


On Monday night, Jim Parsons appeared on The Tonight Show to talk about his role as Carl in Paula Vogel's Mother Play. Specifically, he discussed his approach to playing a 'floppy' 14-year old who lounges all over the furniture. Mother Play began previews April 3 and will officially open on April 25, 2024 at the Hayes Theater. Watch the video here!

Character Breakdown: MOTHER PLAY Cast Unpacks Their Roles
by Joey Mervis - April 13, 2024


Previews are now underway for Second Stage's newest play- Paula Vogel's Mother Play. In this video, watch as the cast unpacks their roles!

Meet the Cast of MOTHER PLAY, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - April 3, 2024


Second Stage Theater's Mother Play will begin previews on Broadway tonight, April 3. Meet the cast of Mother Play here!

MOTHER PLAY Starring Lange, Parsons & Keenan-Bolger Delays First Preview
by Sidney Paterra - March 26, 2024


Second Stage Theater's Mother Play has delayed its first preview. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

Mother Play History

Other Productions of Mother Play

2024   Broadway Second Stage Original Broadway Production
Broadway

Mother Play - 2024 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
2024 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play Celia Keenan-Bolger
2024 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play Jessica Lange
2024 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Play Paula Vogel
2024 Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance Jessica Lange
2024 Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance Jim Parsons
2024 Drama League Awards Outstanding Production of a Play Mother Play
2024 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play Celia Keenan-Bolger
2024 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play Jim Parsons
2024 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play Jessica Lange
2024 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding New Broadway Play Paula Vogel
2024 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play Jim Parsons
2024 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play Celia Keenan-Bolger
2024 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play Jessica Lange
2024 Tony Awards Best Play Paula Vogel

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