Jessica Chastain Returning to Broadway in New Play ‘Lost Lear’

Jessica Chastain returns to the Broadway stage for ‘Lost Lear,’ a daring reimagining that offers a meta-take on Shakespeare’s classic ‘King Lear’.

Her Broadway credentials include the 2023 acclaimed revival of Henrik Ibsen’s ‘A Doll’s House.’ ‘Lost Lear’ marks Chastain’s first appearance in a new production.

In ‘Lost Lear,’ Chastain embodies Joy, a middle-aged actress battling early-onset dementia. Her only stable recollection is a moment on stage in a Shakespearean classic. The performance is joined by Corey Stoll and Michael Urie, with further cast details yet to be confirmed.

The adaptation was penned by Dan Colley, whose directorial debut will also be on Broadway. The logline reads: ‘As her grip on the present slips, Joy (Chastain), a former actress, becomes convinced she has returned to rehearsal for ‘King Lear.’ At a care facility, her nurse (Urie) mirrors her impulses, assuming the roles she requires him to fill. When her estranged son Conor (Stoll) visits, he arrives ready to communicate years of suppressed words. Yet for her to listen, he must embody the role first. A limited engagement explores these themes.’

‘Lost Lear’ will premiere next spring at New York’s Booth Theatre, with previews on March 29, 2027, and the official opening on April 23. The limited run spans 16 weeks. Originally developed and staged in Ireland in 2022, the work has since traveled to New Zealand, the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, and Scotland.

Dan Colley shared, ‘I never imagined that our adaptation of ‘Lost Lear’ would reach Broadway—an outcome I had not foreseen. I am excited to present this work to New York audiences and to uncover new dimensions through collaboration with this outstanding ensemble.’

Source link