Morgan's Frost/Nixon Earns Back Money on Broadway; Tour Slated for 2008
By Ernio Hernandez
and Andrew Gans
30 Jul 2007
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Michael Sheen in Frost/Nixon.
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| photo by Johan Persson | Peter Morgan's Frost/Nixon recouped its initial Broadway investment in 14 weeks, the producers announced late July 30.
According to an announcement, the production paid back its $2.5 million capitalization the week ending July 29 — 14 weeks after opening on Broadway.
"I am thrilled for the Donmar Warehouse, the wonderful cast and everyone else associated with Frost/Nixon," stated lead producer Arielle Tepper Madover in a release. "The success of the play is not only terrific for first-time playwright Peter Morgan and director Michael Grandage, both making their Broadway debuts, but also encouraging to all producers who present plays on Broadway commercially."
The London transfer — seen previously at Donmar Warehouse and the Gielgud Theatre — began previews at Broadway's Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre March 31 and opened April 22.
The show will conclude its strictly limited run Aug. 19 before the start of filming on the movie version — which will also star Frank Langella and Michael Sheen. Joining the big screen cast for director Ron Howard will be Kevin Bacon, Kate Jennings Grant, Sam Rockwell, Toby Jones and Matthew MacFadyen.
A national tour is expected for the fall of 2008.
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Grandage, who directed the London production, repeated his work for Broadway. His two original stars, Frank Langella and Michael Sheen, also made the transatlantic voyage.
In addition to Langella (as President Richard Nixon) and Sheen (Sir David Frost), Frost/Nixon currently features Remy Auberjonois (John Birt), Shira Gregory (Evonne Goolagong), Corey Johnson (Jack Brennan), Stephen Kunken (Jim Reston), Stephen Rowe (Swifty Lazar/Mike Wallace), Triney Sandoval (Manolo Sanchez), Armand Schultz (Bob Zelnick) and Roxanna Hope (Caroline Cushing).
The Broadway run received Tony Award nominations for Best Play, Best Direction and Best Actor — earning Frank Langella his third Tony win.
According to the producers, "Frost/Nixon tackles the question: How did David Frost, a famous British talk-show host with a playboy reputation, elicit the apology that the rest of the world was waiting to hear from former President Richard Nixon? The fast-paced new play shows the determination, conviction and cunning of two men as they square off in one of the most monumental political interviews of all time."
Designs for Frost/Nixon are by Christopher Oram, with lighting by Neil Austin, and the music and sound score by Adam Cork. Video design is by Jon Driscoll.
Frost/Nixon is produced on Broadway by Arielle Tepper Madover, Matthew Byam Shaw, Robert Fox and Act Productions; David Binder, Debra Black, Annette Niemtzow/Harlene Freezer & The Weinstein Company.
Tickets to Frost/Nixon at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, 242 West 45th Street, are available by calling (212) 239-6200. For more information, visit frostnixononbroadway.com.
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Michael Sheen and Frank Langella in Frost/Nixon.
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| photo by Johan Persson |
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