MTC's The Father begins previews on Broadway tonight

Tom Millward
Tom Millward

The Manhattan Theatre Club's production of the American premiere of Florian Zeller's new play The Father, translated by two-time Tony winner Christopher Hampton and directed by Tony winner Doug Hughes, begins previews tonight at Broadway's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.

The Father officially opens on 14 April 2016 and will play a limited engagement through to 12 June 2016.

Synopsis: "Now 80 years old, André (Langella) was once a tap dancer. He lives with his daughter Anne (Erbe) and her husband Antoine. Or was he an engineer whose daughter Anne lives in London with her new lover, Pierre? The thing is, he is still wearing his pajamas, and he can't find his watch. He is starting to wonder if he's losing control."

The full cast of The Father includes three-time Tony winner and Oscar nominee Frank Langella (André), Tony nominee Kathryn Erbe (Anne), Brian Avers (Pierre), Charles Borland (Man), Hannah Cabell (Laura) and Kathleen McNenny (Woman).

The creative team behind The Father features scenic design by Scott Pask, costume design by Catherine Zuber, lighting design by Donald Holder, original music and sound design by Fitz Patton, and illusion consultation by Jim Steinmeyer.

Frank Langella picked up Tony Awards for 'Frost/Nixon' (2007), 'Fortune's Fool' (2002), and 'Seascape' (1975). He also earned nominations for 'Man and Boy' (2012), 'Match' (2004), and 'Dracula' (1978). Other Broadway credits include 'A Man for All Seasons,' 'Present Laughter,' 'Sherlock's Last Case,' 'Hurlyburly,' 'Design For Living,' 'Passion,' 'Amadeus,' 'A Cry of Players,' and 'Yerma.' On screen he earned Academy Award, Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations in 2009 for the film adaptation "Frost/Nixon."

Kathryn Erbe earned a Tony nomination for 'The Speed of Darkness' (1991). Her other Broadway credits include 'The Grapes of Wrath,' and 'A Month in the Country.' Off-Broadway she has appeared in 'The My House Play,' 'Ode to Joy,' 'Checkers,' and 'Nikolai and the Others.' Her most notable screen credits include "What About Bob?," "D2: The Mighty Ducks," "Stir of Echoes," and "Law and Order: Criminal Intent."

- by Tom Millward

Frank Langella

Originally published on

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