Relatively Speaking (play anthology)
Relatively Speaking is an anthology produced on Broadway in 2011, consisting of three plays: Talking Cure by Ethan Coen, George Is Dead by Elaine May and Honeymoon Motel by Woody Allen.
Relatively Speaking | |
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Written by | Ethan Coen, Elaine May and Woody Allen |
Date premiered | October 20, 2011 |
Place premiered | Brooks Atkinson Theatre, New York City |
Original language | English |
Genre | Comedy |
Production
It opened at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on October 20, 2011 and closed on January 29, 2012, after 118 regular performances. All three were directed by John Turturro.[1][2] The plays were produced by Julian Schlossberg and Letty Aronson (Allen’s sister).[3]
Cast
The three plays were cast as follows:[4]
- Talking Cure: Jason Kravits (Doctor), Danny Hoch (Jerry), Max Gordon Moore (Attendant), Allen Lewis Rickman (Father) and Katherine Borowitz (Mother).[5] The play involves a therapist treating a mentally ill family member.
- George Is Dead: Lisa Emery (Carla), Marlo Thomas (Doreen), Grant Shaud (Michael), Patricia O’Connell (Nanny), Rickman (Funeral Director) and Moore (Assistant Funeral Director).[6] The play considers "the hilarity of death."[2]
- Honeymoon Motel: Steve Guttenberg (Jerry Spector), Ari Graynor (Nina Roth), Shaud (Eddie), Caroline Aaron (Judy Spector), Julie Kavner (Fay Roth), Mark Linn-Baker (Sam Roth), Richard Libertini (Rabbi Baumel), Jason Kravits (Dr. Brill), Hoch (Sal Buonacotti) and Bill Army (Paul Jessup).[7] The plot involves an unusual wedding and takes place in a motel on a highway.
Overview
Woody Allen said of the plays: “It’s a broad comedy, for laughs, no redeeming social value." The plays are described as involving various family members.[3]
Santo Loquasto "designed sets for each play that suggest each author’s film persona." The design for the Allen play is a "colorful, comical design for the motel, with its circular bed and pink Jacuzzi."[8]
References
- Healy, Patrick (January 4, 2012). "'Relatively Speaking' to Close at the End of the Month". The New York Times.
- Gans, Andrew (January 4, 2012). "'Relatively Speaking' Will End Broadway Run Jan. 29". Playbill.
- "Relatively Speaking, Triple Bill by Woody Allen, Ethan Coen & Elaine May, Headed for Broadway". broadway.com. May 17, 2011.
- Isherwood, Christopher (October 21, 2011). "Each Family, Tortured in Its Own Way". The New York Times.
- "Talking Cure". Playbill. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
- "George is Dead". Playbill. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
- "Honeymoon Motel". Playbill. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
- McGrath, Douglas (October 14, 2011). "Three for the Seesaw". Vanity Fair.