“In the golden age of Hollywood cinema, actors may have all the glory, but studio execs have all the power,” (Playbill.com). In spring 2013, another revival is making its way to Broadway. This time, “The Big Knife” will be taking the stage. The show, by Clifford Odets, premiered on Broadway in 1949, directed by Lee Strasberg, and it is about time for its revival.
This production, the very first revival of the show, will be put on by the Roundabout Theatre Company, and will star Tony nominee and Emmy winner Bobby Cannavale as Charlie Castle. “I think he’s one of those modern actors who you can really imagine fitting right into the 1940s,” Todd Haimes, artistic director of the Roundabout, told Playbill.com. “There’s something wonderfully old-school about him, and I’m so happy that we’ll get to see Bobby take on a great role like Charlie Castle.”
“The Big Knife,” features Castle, who is “a film star in the golden age of Hollywood who clashes with a studio executive over a potentially career-ending secret,” according to Mark Snetiker of Entertainment Weekly. Broadway.com adds, “When a woman with insider knowledge threatens to come forward, the studio heads will stop at nothing to protect Charlie’s secret.”
In describing the show, Haimes said “I love the language Odets uses in ‘The Big Knife’ and how he digs into the dark side of Old Hollywood.” The overarching darkness of the show adds to the variety of the Broadway revivals Roundabout is producing, bringing a positive energy to the company, and Haimes. “I think the new season is shaping up to be an incredibly strong and varied one that represents what Roundabout brings to the audience.”
Cannavale made his Broadway debut in “Mauritius,” and received a Tony Award nomination. His other Broadway credits include “The Motherf**ker With The Hat,” for which he also received a Tony Award nomination and a Drama Desk award. Cannavale has also performed in a few off-Broadway shows, including the 2005 revival of “Hurlyburly,” as well as on television. His televison credits include Will and Grace, for which he won an Emmy, Six Feet Under, Cupid, and Nurse Jackie. In the fall, Cannavale will be joining the cast of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire.
Haimes is excited to be a part of this show coming back to Broadway. “‘The Big Knife’ is well overdue for a revival — it is written by one of our greatest American playwrights with an array of great roles for actors to sink their teeth into.” The show will be directed by Tony Award winner Doug Hughes, who is also the resident director of the Roundabout Theatre Company. The full cast list and production team will be announced at a later date.
The show will be running for a limited engagement at the American Airlines Theatre from previews in March 2013, to opening night in April, through June 2. There will be Tuesday through Saturday 8 p.m. performances, and matinees on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. First access to tickets is available to Roundabout subscribers.
