The Hollywood strikes last year are now turning into a big win for Broadway.
Both George Clooney and Robert Downey Jr are coming to town next in plays for the first time. Clooney will star in a stage version of his movie, “Good Night and Good Luck” next spring for 2025 Tony Awards season. Downey will be here this fall at Lincoln Center in a play called “McNeal,” directed by Bartlett Sher.
Clooney will play legendary journalist Edward R. Murrow on stage. In the film, which he directed, David Straithairn played Murrow and Clooney was Fred Friendly. Patricia Clarkson played my old friend, Shirley Wershba. (Shirley and husband Joe were CBS News legends.) If Clooney can get Straithairn to play Friendly, and Clarkson to reprise her role, there will be lines around the block.
Also on the schedule now: “Glee” star Darren Criss will open a new musical called “Maybe Happy Ending,” this fall.
Rocker Elvis Costello is aiming toward Broadway when his musical adaptation of “A Face in the Crowd” opens at London’s Young Vic Theater this fall. The great Ramin Karimloo stars as the Andy Griffith character Lonesome Rhodes. (I’ve heard the songs– they are spectacular.)
But the big news this morning: the Meryl Streep comedy “Death Becomes Her” is also a musical. Coming this fall, “Death” stars Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard, Christopher Sieber, and Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child fame. They will play the parts originated by Meryl, Goldie Hawn, Bruce Willis, and Isabella Rossellini.
Broadway sick or dying? Never! Nearly every new show on the boards is selling out right now thanks to the Tony nominations. And also, it’s been the best season in years!
