Daniels, McTeer, Baker and Liu Will Face Broadway's God of Carnage

By Adam Hetrick
27 Jan 2010

Jeff Daniels and Janet McTeer
Jeff Daniels and Janet McTeer
Photo by Aubrey Reuben

Broadway's brutal comedy God of Carnage will welcome back original Tony-nominated cast member Jeff Daniels, but in a role switch, plus original West End cast member Janet McTeer in March.

Daniels, who originated the role of Brooklyn lawyer Alan in the Broadway premiere of God of Carnage, will now inhabit the role of Michael (originated by James Gandolfini). Original London Carnage cast member McTeer, who earned a Tony nomination for Mary Stuart last season, will return to the role of Veronica.

The duo will be joined by Tony nominee Dylan Baker (November, Mauritius) as Alan and screen actress Lucy Liu ("Charlie's Angels," "Kill Bill") will make her Broadway debut as his wife, Annette. The new players will begin performances March 2.

God of Carnage currently stars Jimmy Smits, Annie Potts, Ken Stott and Christine Lahti, who began Nov. 17, 2009. They exit Feb. 28.

The original cast featured Marcia Gay Harden, James Gandolfini, Jeff Daniels and Hope Davis, all of whom earned Tony nominations for their performances, with Harden taking the Best Actress honor. God of Carnage also earned Tony Awards for Best Play and Best Direction for Matthew Warchus.

Following a critically acclaimed London run in 2008, where the production earned the 2009 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, God of Carnage began performances on Broadway Feb. 28 and played packed houses at the Bernard Jacobs Theatre following its March 22 opening.

Lucy Liu and Dylan Baker
photo by Aubrey Reuben
God of Carnage, according to press notes, "is a comedy of manners without the manners. The play deals with the aftermath of a playground altercation between two boys and what happens when their parents meet to talk about it."

The Broadway production reunites the West End creative team: set and costume designer Mark Thompson, lighting designer Hugh Vanstone and sound designers Simon Baker and Chris Cronin with music by Gary Yershon.

God of Carnage is produced on Broadway by Robert Fox, David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers, Stuart Thompson, Scott Rudin, Jon B. Platt, The Weinstein Company and The Shubert Organization.

For tickets, visit Telecharge. The Bernard Jacobs Theatre is located in Manhattan at 242 West 45th Street.

For further information visit GodofCarnage.