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The Real Thing Revival 2014

Run Time:
Two hours and 10 minutes
Opened: October 30, 2014
Closing: January 04, 2015

The Real Thing - 2014 Broadway History , Info & More

Todd Haimes Theatre (Broadway)
229 W. 42nd St. New York, NY

The Real Thing returns to Broadway in a stirring and sensual new production helmed by critically acclaimed director Sam Gold (Roundabout's Picnic, Seminar). Starring two-time Golden Globe nominee and Olivier nominee Ewan McGregor (Trainspotting, Moulin Rouge) in his Broadway debut, this Tony Award-winning play by Tom Stoppard (The Coast of Utopia, Arcadia) first seduced audiences in London and New York nearly 30 years ago, when it was called "not only Stoppard's most moving play, but also the most bracing play that anyone has written about love and marriage in years" (Frank Rich, The New York Times).

Henry (McGregor) is a playwright not so happily married to Charlotte, the lead actress in his play about a marriage on the verge of collapse. When Henry's affair with their friend Annie threatens to destroy his own marriage, he discovers that life has started imitating art. After Annie leaves her husband so she and Henry can begin a new life together, he can't help but wonder whether their love is fiction or the real thing.

Delectably witty and deeply affecting, The Real Thing takes a daring glimpse at relationships, fidelity, and the passions that often blur our perception of love.


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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR The Real Thing

The Real Thing (2014)
8 / 10

McGregor is confident and sexy, using badinage as a bandage over wounds he'd rather not examine too closely. Nixon...is a worthy foil, wearing dowdy dresses and a look of wry resignation. Gyllenhaal, a pixie-cut dream girl, has a chillier but still effective presence. But director Sam Gold's fussy production blurs the distinction between scenes with a single drab set and cast-sung interludes of '60s pop. Not only is it harder to follow the tricky plot (and its plays-within-plays), but the songs suggest a kumbaya solidarity among the characters that undercuts the show's message about the challenges of forging connections. B+

Theater Review: Don’t Fear the Banter of The Real Thing
8 / 10

Maggie Gyllenhaal, making a sensational Broadway debut as Annie, pulls off the especially difficult trick of wrangling all the messy contradictions of her character without losing her glowy sexiness for a minute...Likewise Ewan McGregor, another Broadway debutant, makes a passionate case for Henry the romantic without shortchanging his devastating verbal acuity...That the temperature of the characters is generally a few degrees warmer than in previous productions is surely the deliberate work of the director, Sam Gold, who has also made other choices to melt the ice...most significantly, he has the cast singing between every scene: lovely acoustic harmonizations of pop hits...This warmth has an odd effect though. It's pleasant but seems to undercut the cool brilliance of the writing.

THE REAL THING, Starring Ewan McGregor & Maggie Gyllenhaal, Concludes Broadway Run Today
by Sally Henry Fuller - January 4, 2015


Roundabout Theatre Company will conclude its limited engagement of Tom Stoppard's Tony Award-winning play, The Real Thing, today, January 4, 2015.

BWW Flashback: THE REAL THING Closes on Broadway Tomorrow
by BWW Special Coverage - January 3, 2015


Roundabout Theatre Company's production of Tom Stoppard's Tony Award-winning play The Real Thing, directed by Sam Gold is one of many shows that will take its final Broadway bow tomorrow, January 4, 2014. The Real Thing, starring Ewan McGregor as 'Henry,'Maggie Gyllenhaal as 'Annie,' Cynthia Nixon as 'Charlotte' and Josh Hamilton as 'Max,' officially opened on Thursday, October 30, 2014 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). Below, BroadwayWorld salutes the show with a special flashback of its trip to Broadway!

THE REAL THING, Starring Ewan McGregor & Maggie Gyllenhaal, Enters Final Two Weeks on Broadway
by Tyler Peterson - December 23, 2014


Roundabout Theatre Company will conclude its limited engagement of Tom Stoppard's Tony Award-winning play, The Real Thing, on January 4, 2015. Starring Ewan McGregor as "Henry" and Maggie Gyllenhaal as "Annie" in their Broadway debuts; Cynthia Nixon as "Charlotte" and Josh Hamilton as "Max." Directed by Sam Gold, the cast also includes Alex Breaux as "Brodie," Ronan Raftery as "Billy" and Madeline Weinstein as "Debbie." The Real Thing officially opened on Thursday, October 30, 2014 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street).

THE REAL THING, Starring Ewan McGregor and Maggie Gyllenhaal, Enters Final Month on Broadway
by BWW News Desk - December 3, 2014


Roundabout Theatre Company will conclude its limited engagement of Tom Stoppard's Tony Award-winning play, The Real Thing, on January 4, 2015.

TV: Chatting with the Cast of THE REAL THING on Opening Night- McGregor, Gyllenhaal & More!
by TV - Opening Night Special - November 1, 2014


The Real Thing officially opened on Thursday night, October 30, 2014 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). This is a limited engagement thru January 4, 2015. BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was at the after party to celebrate with the company, and you can check out interviews with McGregor, Gyllenhaal and more below!

Photo Coverage: Inside THE REAL THING's Opening Night Theatre Arrivals
by Walter McBride - October 31, 2014


Roundabout Theatre Company presents Tom Stoppard's Tony Award-winning play, The Real Thing, starring Ewan McGregor as 'Henry' and Maggie Gyllenhaal as 'Annie' in their Broadway debuts;Cynthia Nixon as 'Charlotte' and Josh Hamilton as 'Max.' Sam Gold directs the cast of seven, which also includes Alex Breaux as 'Brodie,' Ronan Raftery as 'Billy' and Madeline Weinstein as 'Debbie.' The Real Thing officially opened last night, October 30, 2014 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). This is a limited engagement thru January 4, 2015. BroadwayWorld was there for the big night and you can check out photos from the red carpet below!

TV: On the Red Carpet for THE REAL THING with Rosie O'Donnell, Peter Gallagher & More!
by TV - Red Carpets - October 31, 2014


Roundabout Theatre Company presents Tom Stoppard's Tony Award-winning play, The Real Thing, starring Ewan McGregor as 'Henry' and Maggie Gyllenhaal as 'Annie' in their Broadway debuts;Cynthia Nixon as 'Charlotte' and Josh Hamilton as 'Max.' Sam Gold directs the cast of seven, which also includes Alex Breaux as 'Brodie,' Ronan Raftery as 'Billy' and Madeline Weinstein as 'Debbie.' The Real Thing officially opened last night, October 30, 2014 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). This is a limited engagement thru January 4, 2015. BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was on the red carpet to chat with the night's celebrity guests before the curtain went up. Check out interviews with Rosie O'Donnell, Peter Gallagher, Laura Osnes and more below!

Photo Coverage: Ewan McGregor, Maggie Gyllenhaal & More Celebrate Opening Night of THE REAL THING
by Walter McBride - October 31, 2014


Roundabout Theatre Company presents Tom Stoppard's Tony Award-winning play, The Real Thing, starring Ewan McGregor as 'Henry' and Maggie Gyllenhaal as 'Annie' in their Broadway debuts; Cynthia Nixon as 'Charlotte' and Josh Hamilton as 'Max.' Sam Gold directs the cast of seven, which also includes Alex Breaux as 'Brodie,' Ronan Raftery as 'Billy' and Madeline Weinstein as 'Debbie.' The Real Thing officially opened last night, October 30, 2014 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). This is a limited engagement thru January 4, 2015. BroadwayWorld was there for the big night and you can check out photos from inside the after party below!

Photo Coverage: Ewan McGregor, Maggie Gyllenhaal & THE REAL THING Cast Take Opening Night Bows
by Walter McBride - October 31, 2014


Roundabout Theatre Company presents Tom Stoppard's Tony Award-winning play, The Real Thing, starring Ewan McGregor as 'Henry' and Maggie Gyllenhaal as 'Annie' in their Broadway debuts; Cynthia Nixon as 'Charlotte' and Josh Hamilton as 'Max.' Sam Gold directs the cast of seven, which also includes Alex Breaux as 'Brodie,' Ronan Raftery as 'Billy' and Madeline Weinstein as 'Debbie.' The Real Thing officially opened last night, October 30, 2014 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). This is a limited engagement thru January 4, 2015. BroadwayWorld was there for the big night and you can check out photos from the curtain call below!

BWW Reviews: Stoppard's THE REAL THING Sings Its Heart Out
by Michael Dale - October 31, 2014


Sam Gold's revival of Tom Stoppard's marriage drama gets a jukebox touch.

Review Roundup: THE REAL THING Opens on Broadway - All the Reviews!
by Review Roundups - October 30, 2014


Roundabout Theatre Company presents Tom Stoppard's Tony Award-winning play, The Real Thing, starring Ewan McGregor as 'Henry' and Maggie Gyllenhaal as 'Annie' in their Broadway debuts; Cynthia Nixon as 'Charlotte' and Josh Hamilton as 'Max.' Sam Gold directs the cast of seven, which also includes Alex Breaux as 'Brodie,' Ronan Raftery as 'Billy' and Madeline Weinstein as 'Debbie.' The Real Thing officially opens tonight, October 30, 2014 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway. Let's see what the critics had to say...

THE REAL THING, Starring Ewan McGregor & Maggie Gyllenhaal, Opens Tonight on Broadway
by BWW News Desk - October 30, 2014


Roundabout Theatre Company presents Tom Stoppard's Tony Award-winning play, The Real Thing, starring Ewan McGregor as 'Henry' and Maggie Gyllenhaal as 'Annie' in their Broadway debuts; Cynthia Nixon as 'Charlotte' and Josh Hamilton as 'Max.' Sam Gold directs the cast of seven, which also includes Alex Breaux as 'Brodie,' Ronan Raftery as 'Billy' and Madeline Weinstein as 'Debbie.' The Real Thing officially opens tonight, October 30, 2014 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). This is a limited engagement thru January 4, 2015.

THE REAL THING, Starring Ewan McGregor & Maggie Gyllenhaal, Opens on Broadway Tomorrow
by Tyler Peterson - October 29, 2014


Roundabout Theatre Company presents Tom Stoppard's Tony Award-winning play, The Real Thing, starring Ewan McGregor as "Henry" and Maggie Gyllenhaal as "Annie" in their Broadway debuts; Cynthia Nixon as "Charlotte" and Josh Hamilton as "Max." Sam Gold directs the cast of seven, which also includes Alex Breaux as "Brodie," Ronan Raftery as "Billy" and Madeline Weinstein as "Debbie." The Real Thing officially opens tomorrow, October 30, 2014 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). This is a limited engagement thru January 4, 2015.

VIDEO: Ewan McGregor Talks Making Broadway Debut in THE REAL THING on 'Tonight'
by Caryn Robbins - October 28, 2014


On last night's TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON, Jimmy and Charles Barkley face-off against Ewan McGregor and Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy in a game of charades. Later, Jimmy chats with Ewan McGregor about making his Broadway debut play,

TV: Watch Highlights of Ewan McGregor, Maggie Gyllenhaal & More in THE REAL THING on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - October 27, 2014


Roundabout Theatre Company presents Tom Stoppard's Tony Award-winning play, The Real Thing, starring Ewan McGregor as 'Henry' and Maggie Gyllenhaal as 'Annie' in their Broadway debuts; Cynthia Nixon as 'Charlotte' and Josh Hamilton as 'Max.' Sam Gold directs the cast of seven, which also includes Alex Breaux as 'Brodie,' Ronan Raftery as 'Billy' and Madeline Weinstein as 'Debbie.' The Real Thing is currently in previews and will open on Thursday, October 30, 2014 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). BroadwayWorld brings you highlights of the cast in action below!

Real or Not Real? Meet the Full Cast of THE REAL THING, Opening Tonight on Broadway!
by Meet the Cast - October 30, 2014


Roundabout Theatre Company presents Tom Stoppard's Tony Award-winning play, The Real Thing, starring Ewan McGregor as 'Henry' and Maggie Gyllenhaal as 'Annie' in their Broadway debuts; Cynthia Nixon as 'Charlotte' and Josh Hamilton as 'Max.' The Real Thing officially opens tonight, October 30, 2014 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway. Scroll down to learn more about the full cast and watch interviews with the company below!

Roundabout's THE REAL THING, Starring Ewan McGregor & Maggie Gyllenhaal, Begins Previews Tonight
by BWW News Desk - October 2, 2014


Roundabout Theatre Company present sTom Stoppard's Tony Award-winning play, The Real Thing, starring Ewan McGregor as 'Henry' and Maggie Gyllenhaal as 'Annie' in their Broadway debuts; Cynthia Nixon as 'Charlotte' and Josh Hamilton as 'Max.' Sam Gold directs the cast of seven, which also includes Alex Breaux as 'Brodie,' Ronan Raftery as 'Billy' and Madeline Weinstein as 'Debbie.' The Real Thing begins preview performances tonight, October 2, 2014 and opens officially on Thursday, October 30, 2014 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). This is a limited engagement.

Roundabout's THE REAL THING, Starring Ewan McGregor & Maggie Gyllenhaal, Begins Previews Tomorrow
by Tyler Peterson - October 1, 2014


Roundabout Theatre Company present sTom Stoppard's Tony Award-winning play, The Real Thing, starring Ewan McGregor as "Henry" and Maggie Gyllenhaal as "Annie" in their Broadway debuts; Cynthia Nixon as "Charlotte" and Josh Hamilton as "Max." Sam Gold directs the cast of seven, which also includes Alex Breaux as "Brodie," Ronan Raftery as "Billy" and Madeline Weinstein as "Debbie." The Real Thing begins preview performances tomorrow, Thursday, October 2, 2014 and opens officially on Thursday, October 30, 2014 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). This is a limited engagement.

TV: Ewan McGregor, Maggie Gyllenhaal & More Talk THE REAL THING; Opens on Broadway This October!
by Randy Rainbow - September 15, 2014


Roundabout Theatre Company will soon present Tom Stoppard's Tony Award-winning play The Real Thing, directed by Sam Gold. The Real Thing, starring Ewan McGregor as 'Henry,'Maggie Gyllenhaal as 'Annie,' Cynthia Nixon as 'Charlotte' and Josh Hamilton as 'Max,' begins preview performances on Thursday, October 2, 2014 and opens officially on Thursday, October 30, 2014 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). This is a limited engagement. The company recently met the press and BroadwayWorld's Randy Rainbow was on hand to chat with the full gang. Check out what they had to say about the play below!

Photo Coverage: Ewan McGregor, Maggie Gyllenhaal & THE REAL THING Company Meet the Press!
by Jennifer Broski - September 5, 2014


Roundabout Theatre Company will soon present Tom Stoppard's Tony Award-winning play The Real Thing, directed by Sam Gold. The Real Thing, starring Ewan McGregor as 'Henry,'Maggie Gyllenhaal as 'Annie,' Cynthia Nixonas 'Charlotte' and Josh Hamilton as 'Max,' begins preview performances on Thursday, October 2, 2014 and opens officially on Thursday, October 30, 2014 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). This is a limited engagement. The company just met the press and BroadwayWorld was on hand for the festivities. Check out complete photo coverage below!

Ronan Raftery Joins Cast of Roundabout's THE REAL THING
by Tyler Peterson - September 4, 2014


Roundabout Theatre Company has announced additional casting for The Real Thing, starring Ewan McGregor as "Henry," Maggie Gyllenhaal as "Annie," Cynthia Nixon as "Charlotte" and Josh Hamilton as "Max."

Alex Breaux and Madeline Weinstein Join Roundabout's THE REAL THING
by BWW News Desk - August 27, 2014


Roundabout Theatre Company has announced additional casting for The Real Thing, starring Ewan McGregor as 'Henry,' Maggie Gyllenhaal as 'Annie,' Cynthia Nixon as 'Charlotte' and Josh Hamilton as 'Max.' Tom Stoppard's Tony Award-winning play The Real Thing, directed by Sam Gold begins preview performances on Thursday, October 2, 2014 and opens officially on Thursday, October 30, 2014 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42ndStreet). This is a limited engagement. The cast also includes Alex Breaux as 'Brodie' and Madeline Weinstein as 'Debbie.' Final casting to be announced.

Photo Flash: Sneak Peek at the Stars of Roundabout's THE REAL THING - Ewan McGregor and Maggie Gyllenhaal
by BWW News Desk - July 31, 2014


THE REAL THING, by Tom Stoppard and directed by Sam Gold, will play a limited engagement beginning previews on October 2, 2014 and opening officially on October 30, 2014 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). Below, check out a first look at the stars of Roundabout Theatre Company's THE REAL THING, Ewan McGregor and Maggie Gyllenhaal!

The Real Thing History

Other Productions of The Real Thing

1984   Broadway
Broadway
2000   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
2010   West End Old Vic Production
West End
2014   Broadway Roundabout Theatre Production
Broadway
   West End
West End

The Real Thing - 2014 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
2015 Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance Award Ewan McGregor

Videos