PhotosPHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day at Broadway's The Big Knife with Stage and Screen Star Joey SlotnickJoey Slotnick, a familiar face to audiences of both stage and screen, is making his Broadway debut as Buddy Bliss in Roundabout's current revival of Clifford Odets' The Big Knife. He shares a recent two-show day with Playbill.com.
By
Matthew Blank
May 06, 2013
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Slotnick is an ensemble member of Chicago’s Tony Award winning Lookingglass Theatre Company. He has also originated roles at The Goodman and has worked at Steppenwolf. In New York theatre, he was in 10 X 25 at The Atlantic, The New York Idea directed by Mark Brokaw, Ethan Coen’s Offices directed by Neil Pepe and Coen’s world premiere play Almost An Evening.
He is possibly most recognized for his series regular roles on "Boston Public" (Fox) and "The Single Guy" (NBC).
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Tony Award winner Doug Hughes (Doubt) directs the rarely revived 1940s play by the author of Golden Boy (a title that enjoyed a praised Broadway production by Lincoln Center Theater earlier this season). In The Big Knife, recent Glengarry Glen Ross star Cannavale plays a Hollywood actor whose buried past is being unearthed. It plays RTC's American Airlines Theatre to June 2. Previews began March 22.
Expect "an electrifying new production of Clifford Odets' riveting, bitingly funny tale of keeping your integrity in the face of success," according to Roundabout.
The full company includes Rachel Brosnahan (Broadway debut) as Dixie Evans, Bobby Cannavale as Charlie Castle, Tony Award nominee Marin Ireland (reasons to be pretty) as Marion Castle, Billy Eugene Jones (Passing Strange) as Russell, Richard Kind (TV's "Mad About You," Broadway's The Producers) as Marcus Hoff, C.J. Wilson (All American, Medieval Play) as Hank Teagle, Ana Reeder (Broadway's recent Hedda Gabler, Sight Unseen, Top Girls) as Connie Bliss, Reg Rogers (The Royal Family, A Free Man of Color) as Smiley Coy, Joey Slotnick (of Off-Broadway and Chicago Lookingglass, Steppenwolf and Goodman productions, now making his Broadway debut) as Buddy Bliss, Brenda Wehle (Broadway's Pygmalion and Come Back, Little Sheba, Off-Broadway's The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide…) as Patty Benedict and Chip Zien (Into the Woods, Falsettos, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as Nat Danziger.
The design team includes John Lee Beatty (sets), Catherine Zuber (costumes), James F. Ingalls (lighting) and David Van Tieghem (sound & original music).
Here's how Roundabout bills the work: "In the golden age of Hollywood cinema, actors may have all the glory, but studio execs have all the power. The Hoff-Federated studio has had its most successful star, Charlie Castle, over a barrel ever since it helped cover up a mistake that could have ended his career. When a woman with insider knowledge threatens to come forward, the studio heads will stop at nothing to protect Charlie's secret... but how far is he willing to go before he quits the movie business for good? Set in a glossy world of rumor mills and rocky friendships, Clifford Odets' The Big Knife is about living the life you always wanted but wanting something more."
This marks the first new Broadway production of the play since its Broadway premiere in 1949, when Lee Strasberg directed.
Cannavale is a Tony nominee for his work in Mauritius and The Motherf**ker With the Hat. He recently played Ricky Roma in the Broadway revival of Glengarry Glen Ross. He won an Emmy for his guest appearance on "Will & Grace." His TV credits include "Nurse Jackie" (Emmy nomination) and the most recent season of "Boardwalk Empire." His films include "The Station Agent" and Woody Allen's upcoming picture, among others.
The plays of Odets (1906-1963) include Waiting for Lefty, Awake and Sing!, Paradise Lost, Golden Boy, Rocket to the Moon, Clash by Night, The Country Girl and The Flowering Peach. He penned screenplays for "None but the Lonely Heart," "Humoresque," "The Sweet Smell of Success" and more.
The Big Knife plays Tuesday through Saturday evening at 8 PM with Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 PM.
For more information, visit roundabouttheatre.org or call Roundabout Ticket Services (212) 719-1300. Ticket prices range from $42-$127.
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PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day at Broadway's The Big Knife with Stage and Screen Star Joey Slotnick
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day at Broadway's The Big Knife with Stage and Screen Star Joey Slotnick
Joey Slotnick, a familiar face to audiences of both stage and screen, is making his Broadway debut as Buddy Bliss in Roundabout's current revival of Clifford Odets' The Big Knife. He shares a recent two-show day with Playbill.com. Read the Playbill.com story.
45 PHOTOS
I must have coffee in the morning. At least a couple cups.
Joey Slotnick
I'll get the old noggin going by listening to NPR and doing the crossword. I can usually get through Wednesday. Let's not discuss Friday.
Joey Slotnick
And then my wife and I will make a savory salad for breakfast. My wife grew up near the Mediterranean, where they eat this for breakfast.
Joey Slotnick
The salad that "Wakes You Up!"
Joey Slotnick
Taking the subway to 34th street because....
Joey Slotnick
I had to go to the DMV! Yay!
Joey Slotnick
And then I had a voice over audition. "God I hope I get it! I hope I get it!"
Joey Slotnick
My dressing Roommate Mr. C.J. Wilson. He's always happy to see me.
Joey Slotnick
I didn't really have time for lunch so I grabbed one of those veggie juices all the kids are talking about. Very Beety!
Joey Slotnick
Ahh, the infamous Call Board.
Joey Slotnick
Our wonderful stage manager Winnie getting very excited about the idea that she will be in this column!
Joey Slotnick
Hannah making sure our ashtrays are always filled with the magic gel that extinguishes all the cigarettes we smoke on stage. It’s very technical.
Joey Slotnick
Look Ma! I’m on Broadway!
Joey Slotnick
It’s the incomparable Mr. Chip Zien. He’s a little leery about this whole thing.
Joey Slotnick
Mr. Wilson doing his daily warm-up. He can hold that position for 6 hours. Amazing!!
Joey Slotnick
Mr. Zien doing his daily warm-up.
Joey Slotnick
Mr. Richard Kind just realizing he’s got a two-show day.
Joey Slotnick
Our assistant stage manager Carlos also realizing he’s got two shows too.
Joey Slotnick
The madness of Mr. Bobby Cannavale…
Joey Slotnick
Not such a fan of the two-show day.
Joey Slotnick
Mr. Zien enjoying another candid moment.
Joey Slotnick
Mr. Wilson also enjoying getting his photo taken.
Joey Slotnick
And the talented Ms. Rachel Brosnahan
Joey Slotnick
Tying the bow-tie.
Joey Slotnick
Ever the photographer..
Joey Slotnick
“Seriously. Get out.”
Joey Slotnick
Flirting with this photographer.
Joey Slotnick
The wonderful Ms. Ana Reeder and Ms. Brosnahan: “Okay, Slotnick. That’s enough!”
Joey Slotnick
Getting ready for curtain call. That’s our dresser Bobbi with the white coat.
Joey Slotnick
Ms. Marin Ireland is also a big fan of me and my camera!
Joey Slotnick
Mr. Kind and Mr. Zien rehearsing a scene from The Sunshine Boys. Watch for the tour in your home town!
Joey Slotnick
Soup between shows. You’re welcome, Pax.
Joey Slotnick
No, it’s good soup. I swear!
Joey Slotnick
Some of our incredible costumes. They look better on.
Joey Slotnick
“Joey, you don’t mind if I use your deodorant right? Sweet.”
Joey Slotnick
Mr. Kind speaking to his agent about his new "Richard Kind Acting App."
Joey Slotnick
Just shooting the breeze before our 2nd show.
Joey Slotnick
Fallon also enjoying my photographic escapades.
Joey Slotnick
Do not mess with Paulie’s stuff!
Joey Slotnick
The always lovely and mysterious Ms. Brenda Wehle!
Joey Slotnick
Yeah!! Old School stuff from Ms. Ireland!
Joey Slotnick
Glenn doesn’t always look this blurry.
Joey Slotnick
Carlos trying to get us into places but we really want a good pic backstage!
Joey Slotnick
Mr. Jones and Mr. Zien working on an original musical number entitled “Knifey!”
Joey Slotnick
I’m not sure why we aren’t smiling. We had two great shows and now it’s time for a little bit of scotch. And then I get to go home and see my wife after a long day. Come see us in The Big Knife on Broadway!