Falco Goes Gently Into That Goodnight as Norman's Mother Opens on Broadway, Nov. 14

By Robert Simonson
14 Nov 2004

Brenda Blethyn (left) and Edie Falco in 'night, Mother
Brenda Blethyn (left) and Edie Falco in 'night, Mother
photo by Joan Marcus

The new Broadway revival of Marsha Norman's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, 'night, Mother, starring Edie Falco and Brenda Blethyn, officially opens its 19-week stand at the Royale Theatre on Nov. 14.

In a dramatic twist of Chekhov's old saw that a gun shown in the first act will eventually go off, Mother's Jessie, the depressed middle-aged woman played by Edie Falco, frankly admits within a few minutes into the story—to her mother, played by Brenda Blethyn—that she intends to use the gun she holds in her hands by the end of the evening. The target is herself. An epileptic who has suffered through her beloved father's death, her brother's indifference, a divorce and her son's growing criminality, Jessie proclaims to her bewildering mother, "I'm tired. I'm hurt. I'm sad." Thereafter follows some pragmatic list-making and filling of candy jars, as well as revelations, recriminations and tears.

"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."

Previews began Oct. 22. 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. Blethyn, star of such films as "Secrets and Lies," is making her Broadway debut.

The design team includes Neil Patel, who fashioned the low-ceilinged representation of a mundane, middle class home, as well as 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 is expected on Broadway during the 2005-06 season. Norman's other plays include Getting Out, Trudy Blue and Last Dance.

Edie Falco (left) and Brenda Blethyn in 'night, Mother
Edie Falco (left) and Brenda Blethyn in 'night, Mother
photo by Joan Marcus