The staging ignited the box office when it began previews Aug. 27 and exploded after it opened to glowing reviews Sept. 19. Catherine Keener and Edward Norton starred. The production was recast when their contracts expired: Elisabeth Shue and Peter Sarsgaard took over the roles of the contentious lead lovers in the James Houghton directed revival. Supporting players Dallas Roberts and Ty Burrell were with the show from the start. The 1987 drama, first seen on Broadway, is now the most successful production in the history of the not-for-profit Signature, which devotes each season to one playwright (this year, Wilson). The run of both casts will have played 26 previews and 109 regular performances by the close.
Next up: A revival of Wilson's Fifth of July starring Robert Sean Leonard and Parker Posey, Jan. 16-March 9, 2003.
