Audience interest in the Public Theatre's recent production of The Ride Down Mt. Morgan proved strong, thanks especially to two high-profile names: author Arthur Miller and star Patrick Stewart. For months, Miller was saying in interviews that producers were intent on bringing the production to Broadway -- and now his predictions have been borne out, with dates set for the 18-week, limited run at the Ambassador Theatre.
Mt. Morgan will start previews March 21 and officially open April 9 for a run through July 23, according to the Barlow-Hartman press office. Patrick Stewart will again star, though there's no word yet on whether his acclaimed costar, Frances Conroy, or other castmembers (Meg Gibson, Kali Rocha, Oni Faida Lampley and John Vennema) will also make the uptown trip. The Shubert Organization, Scott Rudin, Roger Berlind, Spring Sirkin, and ABC Incorporated are producing the commercial move.
The Ambassador Theatre is current home to It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues, which closes Jan. 9.
The Ride Down Mt. Morgan, directed at the Public and again on Broadway by former CSC artistic director, David Esbjornson, looks at a bigamist who's devoted his life to the sybaritic indulgences of the Reagan era, only to find his values changed when he's confronted with a near-fatal car accident -- and both wives come to visit him. Stewart played the man; Conroy his wife of 25 years.
Mt. Morgan opened Nov. 16, 1998 at the Public Theatre, after starting previews Nov. 3. The Broadway design team will be the same as the off-Broadway crew: John Arnone (sets), Elizabeth Hope Clancy (costumes), Brian MacDevitt (lighting) and Dan Moses Schreier (original music). Stewart has starred on Broadway in the George C. Wolfe-directed The Tempest and his own one-man adaptation of A Christmas Carol.
Conroy has been a steady presence on and Off-Broadway for a decade. Recent gigs include The Little Foxes at Lincoln Center and The Rehearsal at the Roundabout Theatre Company.
Miller's other plays include The Crucible, Mr. Peters' Connections and The American Clock. It's been a heady couple of years for the playwright, who not so long ago could barely get arrested on Broadway (which, at the time, was going through a strong infatuation with Tennessee Williams). Things started to change with recent, well-received Broadway mountings of A View From the Bridge and All My Sons, culminating in last season's Tony-winning Death of a Salesman. A well-received revival of The Price, featuring Jeffrey DeMunn and Bob Dishy, is currently playing at the Royale Theatre.
For tickets and information on The Ride Down Mt. Morgan call (212) 239-6200. The Ambassador street box office will open Feb. 28.
