News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Race 2009

Run Time:
1 hour and 40 minutes, with one intermission
Opened: December 6, 2009
Closing: August 21, 2010

Race - 2009 Broadway History , Info & More

From Pulitzer Prize winner David Mamet, comes his most explosive four-letter word yet. Race.



Race is the riveting new play by America’s foremost playwright, Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner David Mamet (Glengarry Glen Ross, Speed-the-Plow, American Buffalo, November).



Directed by the playwright, it stars Emmy Award winner James Spader (“Boston Legal,” Sex, Lies and Videotape), Tony nominee and television star David Alan Grier (“A Soldier’s Story,” “In Living Color”, “Chocolate News”), Kerry Washington (Ray, Lakeview Terrace) and Richard Thomas (“The Waltons,” Democracy, Twelve Angry Men).


Get Race Email Alerts

Be the first to get ticket offers, news, photos & more.

FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Race

'Oleanna' Meets 'The Verdict'
5 / 10

The problem with 'Race' is that it's a bit too familiar. Specifically, it plays like a cross between Mr. Mamet's 'Oleanna' and his screenplay for 'The Verdict.' I can't say much more than that without giving away the 'surprises' sprinkled throughout the plot, in which two lawyers, one white (James Spader) and one black (David Alan Grier), decide whether to defend a famous millionaire (Richard Thomas) who is accused of raping a young black woman—a decision complicated by the fact that one of their employees (Kerry Washington) is also a young black woman. But those who know Mr. Mamet's work more than casually will likely be able to guess many of the directions in which he takes this conceit, and that's a big part of what's wrong with 'Race.'

In Mametland, a Skirmish in Black and White
4 / 10

Though the play made pointed use of sexual and ethnic words that are still seldom heard in polite discussion, these elicited far more giggles than gasps. I couldn’t help longing for the days when a new play by Mr. Mamet so knocked the breath out of you that you wouldn’t think of standing up afterward until you were sure your legs would support you.

Review - Broadway Originals & Grace
by Ben Peltz - October 24, 2012


“We should not do a show more often,” quipped Ryan Silverman as he an Jill Paice took in the appreciative applause of the Town Hall audience before even singing a note of the Broadway musical they were expected to star in this season, Rebecca.  Host Scott Siegel had just recapped the story of the show's numerous delays, fake investors, missing funds and the fact that an estimated 150 theatre professions had either turned down work or stopped seeking immediate employment because of their expectation to be working on Broadway by Christmas.

RACE on Track Ends Broadway Run, 8/21
by BWW News Desk - August 21, 2010


RACE, 'the topical detective story' (New York Times) that 'sizzles with energy' (The Wall Street Journal), written and directed by David Mamet is closing Saturday, August 21st at 8:00 pm (reaching its 297th performance).

RACE Planning 2011 Regional and London Productions
by Gabrielle Sierra - August 12, 2010


RACE, 'the topical detective story' (New York Times) that 'sizzles with energy' (The Wall Street Journal), written and directed by David Mamet will end its extended run on Broadway at the Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th St.) on Saturday, August 21st at 8:00 pm.

STAGE TUBE: RACE's Izzard Visits Jimmy Fallon
by Jessica Lewis - July 26, 2010


RACE's Eddie Izzard appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon July 12 to chat about joining the cast and his documentary 'Believe,'which was recently nominated for an Emmy Award.

RACE on Track to End Broadway Run, 8/21
by Jessica Lewis - July 21, 2010


RACE, 'the topical detective story' (New York Times) that 'sizzles with energy' (The Wall Street Journal), written and directed by David Mamet is now playing its final weeks on Broadway at the Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th St.). This new cast is playing their limited run through Saturday, August 21st at 8:00 pm (reaching its 297th performance). Tickets to the show can be purchased by visiting Telecharge.com or calling 212-239-6200.

RACE's David Mamet To Appear On Charlie Rose Tonight
by Gabrielle Sierra - July 7, 2010


DAVID MAMET, the Pulitzer and Tony-winning playwright currently represented on Broadway with the hit play RACE, will be a guest on Charlie Rose Wednesday, July 7th at 11:00PM (EST) on PBS.

Review - Race: If You Could See Her Through My Eyes
by Michael Dale - July 3, 2010


'I didn't do anything.'

Ken Fallin Illustrates: Eddie Izzard in RACE
by Ken Fallin - July 2, 2010


BroadwayWold.com is pleased to present illustrator Ken Fallin, who brings you original illustrations of everyone's favorite theatrical stars each week. This week's feature: Eddie Izzard in RACE.

STAGE TUBE: Eddie Izzard on RACE
by Jessica Lewis - July 1, 2010


Eddie Izzard, Dennis Haysbert, Afton C. Williamson, and Richard Thomas began their run in RACE, written and directed by David Mamet, on Monday June 21st for a nine-week limited engagement through Saturday, August 21st. In this clip, Izzard chats RACE and why he connects so much with Mamet.

Izzard, Haysbert, Williamson & Thomas Begin Limited Engagement at RACE Today, 6/21
by BWW News Desk - June 21, 2010


EDDIE IZZARD, DENNIS HAYSBERT, AFTON C. WILLIAMSON, and RICHARD THOMAS begin their run in RACE, written and directed by David Mamet, on Monday June 21st for a nine-week limited engagement through Saturday, August 21st.

Izzard, Haysbert, Williamson & More Set For RACE 6/21, Monday Performances Added
by Gabrielle Sierra - June 17, 2010


EDDIE IZZARD, DENNIS HAYSBERT, AFTON C. WILLIAMSON, and RICHARD THOMAS begin their run in RACE, written and directed by David Mamet, on Monday June 21st for a nine-week limited engagement through Saturday, August 21st.

Photo Coverage: Meet the New Cast of RACE!
by Peter James Zielinski - June 10, 2010


This week, June 8, RACE introduced its new cast to the press. Written and directed by David Mamet, RACE recouped early in the spring and is the longest running play of the season. BroadwayWorld met up with the new crew at Sardi's for the photo op.

STAGE TUBE: RACE's James Spader Guests on 'The View'
by Jessica Lewis - May 27, 2010


Yesterday, May 26, the ladies of The View welcomed RACE star James Spader to the couch to talk about the show and his newly erected Sardi's portriat. Click below to watch his segment!

Photo Flash: RACE Stars Promote Show with 'Red Sequined Dress Ladies'
by Emily Faye Oakley - May 26, 2010


Today, the RACE Red Sequined Dress Ladies promoted RACE in Times Square with cast members Richard Thomas, James Spader, David Alan Grier and Kerry Washington.

Race History

Other Productions of Race

2009   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway

Race - 2009 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
2010 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play David Alan Grier

Videos