By Robert Simonson
22 Oct 2004

Brenda Blethyn (left) and Edie Falco
photo by Aubrey Reuben

The new Broadway revival of Marsha Norman's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, 'night, Mother, starring Edie Falco and Brenda Blethyn, begins its 19-week stand at the Royale Theatre on Oct. 22.

The intense drama, about a middle-aged, lonely woman who informs her mother that she intends to shortly kill herself, will feature Falco as the daughter, Jessie, and the English Blethyn as her mom.

"The play is full of irony and there are a lot of laughs along the way, even though we know the nature of the piece," Blethyn told Playbill On-Line. "People are funny. They say stupid things. They try every which way to alter the course of events. I'm fascinated by embarrassment, the way different people handle different situations. The way the play is written is funny, because Mama doesn't understand what's happening. She doesn't believe it's going to happen until it happens."

Opening is Nov. 14. The engagement will end on Feb. 27, 2005.

Michael Mayer (After the Fall) is director. Producing are FOX Theatricals, Harbor Entertainment, The Araca Group, Terry Schnuck, East of Doheny and Amanda Dubois.

Mayer, who directed Falco in Side Man, sent the script to her. "I was just thrilled," Falco said. "It was not unlike when I first read 'Sopranos.' I read it and part of me was already there."

The last time Falco came to Broadway, in Terrence McNally's Frankie and Johnny, the result was a box- office success.

The design team includes Neil Patel (sets), Michael Krass (costumes) and Brian MacDevitt (lights).

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Anne Pitoniak and Kathy Bates played mother and daughter in the original Broadway run of the play, which played the Golden Theatre March 1983 February 1984. Both actresses were Tony-nommed, as was the play and the director, Tom Moore. The production originated at American Repertory Theatre. The 1986 film starred Anne Bancroft and Sissy Spacek.

Norman has not had another play on Broadway since the original 'night, Mother. However, she has been attached to two Broadway musicals, 1991's The Secret Garden (Tony Award) and 1993's short-lived The Red Shoes. Her latest musical, The Color Purple, now in Atlanta, is expected on Broadway during the 2005-06 season. Norman's other plays include Getting Out, Trudy Blue and Last Dance.