Designer Tony Walton Will Dip Into Well on Broadway; Previews Begin March 10, 2006

By Kenneth Jones
28 Sep 2005

Tony Walton
Tony Walton
Photo by Aubrey Reuben

Elizabeth I. McCann and Scott Rudin and Boyett Ostar are behind the spring 2006 Broadway debut of Lisa Kron's Well, the well-reviewed warmly comic play about wellness, mothers and daughters and the mystery of parent-child dynamics.

The creative team for the new production, to be directed by Leigh Silverman at the Longacre Theatre starting March 10, includes Tony Walton (sets) and John Gromada (sound), who will join Miranda Hoffman (costumes) and Christopher Akerlind (lighting), who designed the original Public Theater production.

As previously reported by Playbill.com, Obie Award-winning writer-actress Kron and Jayne Houdyshell will recreate their Off-Broadway roles of Lisa Kron and Ann Kron, her lumpy and lethargic — and ultimately lovable — mother. Additional casting will be announced at a later date.

The Broadway opening is set for March 30.

"Written by a starring Lisa Kron," Well "opens with Lisa Kron's mother sitting on a La-Z-Boy recliner in the middle of the stage," according to the producers. "As the play goes on to deal with Kron's personal experiences of healing, a comedic coup d'état breaks out. The actors critique the script, her memories conflict with her flashbacks, her mother interrupts with her own opinions, and Kron finds herself in danger of losing control. The result is a hilarious and brazen piece that questions our thoughts on the conventions of both theatre and wellness."

The play got solid reviews, including a love letter from the New York Times, when it played The Public Theater in 2004. It then appeared in a slightly revised form at American Conservatory Theatre.

The Public production garnered Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, and Outer Critics Circle nominations and an Obie Award for Houdyshell's heartfelt and hangdog — and humorous — work.

Well's box office opening, playing schedule and ticket prices will be announced in the near future.