Falco-Blethyn 'night, Mother to Close on Jan. 9

By Robert Simonson
17 Dec 2004

The limited engagement Broadway revival of Marsha Norman's Pulitzer Prize winning play, 'night, Mother, starring Edie Falco and Brenda Blethyn, will end its run earlier than expected, closing Jan. 9, 2005.

The show, which opened its stand at the Royale Theatre on Nov. 14, to mixed reviews, was to have run through Feb. 27, 2005. Previews began Oct. 22. The premature closing notice is something of a surprise, given that Falco proved a big draw in her last Broadway show, Frankie and Johnny.

The production will have played 26 previews and 91 regular performances.

In 'night, Mother 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.

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

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).