Two extraordinary actresses return to Manhattan Theatre Club in a vibrant new production of Lillian Hellman's The Little Foxes.
In a thrilling coup, MTC will present three-time Tony Award nominee Laura Linney (Time Stands Still, Sight Unseen) and Tony winner Cynthia Nixon (Rabbit Hole, Wit), who will alternate playing the roles of Regina and Birdie in Lillian Hellman's legendary play about greed and ambition.
Set in Alabama in 1900, The Little Foxes follows Regina Giddens and her ruthless clan, including her sister-in-law Birdie, as they clash in often brutal ways in an effort to strike the deal of their lives. Far from a sentimental look at a bygone era, the play has a surprisingly timely resonance with important issues facing our country today. Tony winner Daniel Sullivan (Proof, Rabbit Hole) will direct.
An interesting thing is happening at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre: all-stars Laura Linney (The Big C) and Cynthia Nixon (Sex and the City) are alternating the roles of headstrong, conniving Regina Giddens and meek, abused Birdie Hubbard in the Manhattan Theater Club's revival of Lillian Hellman's 1939 play The Little Foxes. In theory, it's a fascinating experiment-especially for theatergoers who have the resources to see both versions of the show, as I was able to. But in practice, one pairing has just a bit more magic in it than the other.
Under Daniel Sullivan's sure-handed direction, the show satisfies no matter who's playing Regina - more or less. The production's good-looking - costumes, lighting and the set, which underscores this prickly family. Notice there's no comfy couch that invites getting close, just chairs and a chaise. Supporting actors more than ably step up, including Richard Thomas as Regina's ill husband, Michael McKean and Darren Goldstein as her greedy brothers, Francesca Carpanini as her dutiful daughter, and Michael Benz as her creepy nephew.
1939 | Broadway |
Broadway |
1967 | Broadway |
Broadway |
1981 | Broadway |
Broadway |
1997 | Broadway |
Broadway |
2010 | Off-Broadway |
New York Theatre Workshop Production Off-Broadway |
2017 | Broadway |
Manhattan Theatre Club Broadway Revival Production Broadway |
West End |
West End |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2017 | BroadwayWorld Awards | Best Featured Actress in a Play | Cynthia Nixon |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Play | Laura Linney |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Costume Design for a Play | Jane Greenwood |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Director of a Play | Daniel Sullivan |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play | Cynthia Nixon |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play | Justin Townsend |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Play | The Little Foxes |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Wig and Hair | Tom Watson |
2017 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | Laura Linney |
2017 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | Cynthia Nixon |
2017 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play | The Little Foxes |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Play | Laura Linney |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Director of a Play | Daniel Sullivan |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play | Richard Thomas |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play | Cynthia Nixon |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Play (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | The Little Foxes |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Set Design (Play or Musical) | Scott Pask |
2017 | Tony Awards | Best Costume Design of a Play | Jane Greenwood |
2017 | Tony Awards | Best Direction of a Play | Daniel Sullivan |
2017 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play | Richard Thomas |
2017 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play | Cynthia Nixon |
2017 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play | Laura Linney |
2017 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Play | Lillian Hellman's The Little Foxes |
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