The Goat, or, Who Is Sylvia?, Edward Albee's latest play and his first new work on Broadway since 1981's The Man Who Had Three Arms, premieres March 3 at the Golden Theatre with Bill Pullman and Mercedes Ruehl in the cast. David Esbjornson, who had success with Albee's The Play About the Baby, will helm the drama about a man whose life takes a unexpected turn when he admits to an affair on a TV chat show.
Originally, The Goat had announced a Feb. 7 previews start date with an opening Feb. 28 at the Booth Theatre. With Bea Arthur now at the Booth, The Goat moved to the Golden for a run beginning in mid February.
Ruehl won a Tony Award for Lost in Yonkers and an Academy Award for "The Fisher King." Last season, she starred as Martha in Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf/. Other theatre credits include The Rose Tattoo and Other People's Money.
Known for roles in "While You Were Sleeping," "Lost Highway" and "Independence Day," Pullman played Off-Broadway in Curse of the Starving Class and Life and Limb. Los Angeles theatre credits include All My Sons.
Ruehl plays Pullman's wife Stevie, described in a casting announcement as "a woman of intellect and passion...capable of wit, rage, compassion and great power." Pullman plays Martin, an architect, who may be sleeping with someone or something not human. Jeffrey Carlson (Romeo in the McCarter's Romeo and Juliet) is their son Billy. The final role, that of Martin's best friend, the host of a Charlie Rose-type interview program, has not been cast. Producers Elizabeth Ireland McCann, Daryl Roth, Terry Allen Kramer, Scott Rudin and Carole Shorenstein Hays told Playbill On-Line Oct. 19 the show will likely be in the $1.2-$1.6 million range and is currently in the process of casting and choosing designers, with John Arnone (Tiny Alice) already set to do the set.
The playwright, best known for his landmark Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, recently enjoyed a well-received revival of his Tiny Alice at OB's Second Stage. The remounting of the drama — which was reviled in its 1963 premiere — was embraced by many critics and, as a result, extended its run.
Albee's other past plays include the Pulitzer Prize-winning A Delicate Balance, Seascape and Three Tall Women, as well as the short works The Zoo Story and The American Dream.
