A Life in the Theatre
Encyclopedia
A Life in the Theatre is a 1977 play by David Mamet
.
It focuses on the relationship between two actors, the play's only characters. One, Robert, is a stage veteran while John is a young, promising actor. As the play goes on they are involved in a variety of productions, and gradually their relationship begins to change.
It was first produced in the US at the Goodman Theatre
, Chicago, Illinois
, in February 1977, with Mike Nussbaum
and Joe Mantegna
and directed by Gregory Mosher
. It was revived at the Goodman in March 2006, directed by Artistic Director Robert Falls
. The play was first produced off-Broadway
at the Lucille Lortel Theatre
(then the Theatre De Lys) in October 1977 through July 1978, with Ellis Rabb
as Robert and Peter Evans as John and directed by Gerald Gutierrez
. It was the featured play at UCSC's Shakespeare Santa Cruz
summer festival in 1986, with Trevor Baxter
and Paul Whitworth.It was also produced off-Broadway
at the Jewish Repertory Theatre in February 1992 through March 1992, with F. Murray Abraham
as Robert and Anthony Fusco as John.
Notable UK productions include a run at London's Apollo Theatre
, from 2 February to 30 April 2005 with Patrick Stewart
as Robert and Joshua Jackson
playing John, and an Edinburgh Fringe
production in 2008 by Schadenfreude Productions, with David Cann
as Robert and Jonathan Rhodes as John.
Another revival featuring Patrick Stewart
and T.R. Knight and directed by Neil Pepe began performances on Broadway in a limited engagement, opened officially in October 2010 for a 15-week run, through January 2, 2011. However, after mixed critical reviews and low box office returns, the show will close on November 28, 2010 after 24 previews and 56 regular performances.
David Mamet
David Alan Mamet is an American playwright, essayist, screenwriter and film director.Best known as a playwright, Mamet won a Pulitzer Prize and received a Tony nomination for Glengarry Glen Ross . He also received a Tony nomination for Speed-the-Plow . As a screenwriter, he received Oscar...
.
It focuses on the relationship between two actors, the play's only characters. One, Robert, is a stage veteran while John is a young, promising actor. As the play goes on they are involved in a variety of productions, and gradually their relationship begins to change.
It was first produced in the US at the Goodman Theatre
Goodman Theatre
The Goodman Theatre is a professional theater company located in Chicago's Loop. A major part of Chicago theatre, it is the city's oldest currently active nonprofit theater organization...
, Chicago, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, in February 1977, with Mike Nussbaum
Mike Nussbaum
Michael Nussbaum is an American actor and director.From the start of his acting career in the 1950s, Nussbaum has appeared in many of David Mamet's plays both on and off Broadway, as well as in Chicago...
and Joe Mantegna
Joe Mantegna
Joseph Anthony "Joe" Mantegna, Jr. is an American actor, producer, writer,director, and voice actor. He is best known for his roles in box office hits such as Three Amigos , The Godfather Part III , Forget Paris , and Up Close & Personal...
and directed by Gregory Mosher
Gregory Mosher
Gregory Mosher is a long time director and producer of stage productions – at the Lincoln Center and Goodman Theatres, on and off-Broadway, at the Royal National Theatre, and in the West End. He is also a film and television director, producer, and writer...
. It was revived at the Goodman in March 2006, directed by Artistic Director Robert Falls
Robert Falls
Robert Falls is an American theater director and the current Artistic Director of the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.-Early years:Falls was born in Ashland, Illinois to Arthur Joseph Falls and Nancy Stribling...
. The play was first produced off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
at the Lucille Lortel Theatre
Lucille Lortel Theatre
The Lucille Lortel Theatre is an off-Broadway playhouse located at 121 Christopher Street in New York City's Greenwich Village.The venue was built in 1926 as a 590-seat movie theater called the New Hudson, later known as Hudson Playhouse...
(then the Theatre De Lys) in October 1977 through July 1978, with Ellis Rabb
Ellis Rabb
Ellis Rabb was an American actor and director who in 1959 formed the Association of Producing Artists, a theatre company that brought new works and noteworthy revivals to Broadway and to regional theatres...
as Robert and Peter Evans as John and directed by Gerald Gutierrez
Gerald Gutierrez
Gerald Gutierrez was an American Tony Award-winning stage- and film director.-External links:...
. It was the featured play at UCSC's Shakespeare Santa Cruz
Shakespeare Santa Cruz
Shakespeare Santa Cruz is a professional theatre festival held annually in Santa Cruz, California.- History :Shakespeare Santa Cruz was founded in 1981 and performs annually on the campus of the University of California, Santa Cruz...
summer festival in 1986, with Trevor Baxter
Trevor Baxter
Trevor Baxter is a British actor and playwright.He is perhaps best remembered for his appearance in the 1977 Doctor Who serial The Talons of Weng-Chiang as Professor George Litefoot. He reprised his role of Professor Litefoot in an episode of audio series, Doctor Who: The Companion Chronicles:...
and Paul Whitworth.It was also produced off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
at the Jewish Repertory Theatre in February 1992 through March 1992, with F. Murray Abraham
F. Murray Abraham
Fahrid Murray Abraham is an American actor. He became known during the 1980s after winning the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Antonio Salieri in Amadeus. He has appeared in many roles, both leading and supporting, in films such as All the President's Men and Scarface...
as Robert and Anthony Fusco as John.
Notable UK productions include a run at London's Apollo Theatre
Apollo Theatre
The Apollo Theatre is a Grade II listed West End theatre, on Shaftesbury Avenue in the City of Westminster. Designed by architect Lewin Sharp for owner Henry Lowenfield, and the fourth legitimate theatre to be constructed on the street, its doors opened on 21 February 1901 with the American...
, from 2 February to 30 April 2005 with Patrick Stewart
Patrick Stewart
Sir Patrick Hewes Stewart, OBE is an English film, television and stage actor, who has had a distinguished career in theatre and television for around half a century...
as Robert and Joshua Jackson
Joshua Jackson
Joshua Carter Jackson is a Canadian American actor. He has appeared in primetime television and in over 32 film roles. He is best known for playing Charlie Conway in The Mighty Ducks film series, Pacey Witter in the television series Dawson's Creek and Peter Bishop in the television series...
playing John, and an Edinburgh Fringe
Edinburgh Fringe
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the world’s largest arts festival. Established in 1947 as an alternative to the Edinburgh International Festival, it takes place annually in Scotland's capital, in the month of August...
production in 2008 by Schadenfreude Productions, with David Cann
David Cann
David Cann is a British actor who has had many roles in theatre and television.He graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1973 and spent many years working in theatre, including various Shakespeare plays before eventually branching out into television, including roles in the BBC...
as Robert and Jonathan Rhodes as John.
Another revival featuring Patrick Stewart
Patrick Stewart
Sir Patrick Hewes Stewart, OBE is an English film, television and stage actor, who has had a distinguished career in theatre and television for around half a century...
and T.R. Knight and directed by Neil Pepe began performances on Broadway in a limited engagement, opened officially in October 2010 for a 15-week run, through January 2, 2011. However, after mixed critical reviews and low box office returns, the show will close on November 28, 2010 after 24 previews and 56 regular performances.