Eddie Izzard to Give 1-Night-Only Benefit Performance of Great Expectations at The Morgan Library & Museum
Photo Features See Eddie Izzard and Creators of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations Meet the Press
The solo show will play a limited engagement at The Greenwich House Theater beginning December 9.
By Andrew Gans, Michael Wiltbank
Selina Cadell, Eddie Izzard, and Mark Izzard Heather Gershonowitz
Eddie Izzard, a Tony nominee for her performance in the 2003 revival of A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, will return to the New York stage December 9 playing 21 characters in Charles Dickens' Great Expectations.
Adapted for the stage by Mark Izzard, the classic tale of convicts, mystery, friendship, rivalry, unrequited love, revenge, and redemption will officially open at Off-Broadway's The Greenwich House Theater December 15. Directed by Selina Cadell, performances will continue through January 22, 2023.
Izzard said in an earlier statement, "Charles Dickens loved performing his own works in America, and so I thought it would be a wonderful idea to launch Great Expectations here. I always feel at home in New York, and I believe if Charles Dickens were alive today, he would feel at home, too."
Director Cadell added, "I find the combination of Eddie Izzard's idiosyncratic wit and Charles Dickens' ingenious storytelling irresistible and am looking forward to sharing it with New York audiences."
The production will also have a set by Tom Piper, lighting by Tyler Elich/Lightswitch Inc., costume styling by Piper and Libby da Costa, and movement direction by Didi Hopkins.
Izzard's Broadway credits include A Day in the Death of Joe Egg and Race, while her London stage credits include The Cryptogram, Edward II, 900 Oneonta, and Joe Egg. Izzard is currently developing a one-woman performance of Hamlet. Her film credits include Victoria & Abdul, Valkyrie, Ocean's Twelve, Ocean's Thirteen, Across the Universe, Mystery Men, Shadow of the Vampire, The Cat's Meow, and Six Minutes to Midnight.
Izzard isn't the only artist going the solo Dickens route this season. Tony winner Jefferson Mays' one-person version of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, co-adapted by Mays with director Michael Arden and Susan Lyons, currently plays Broadway's Nederlander Theatre.
Charles Dickens' Great Expectations is produced by WestBeth Entertainment and Mick Perrin Worldwide.
Tickets are on sale at EddieIzzardGreatExpectations.com.
See Eddie Izzard and Creators of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations Meet the Press
Heather Gershonowitz
Mark Izzard and Eddie Izzard
Selina Cadell and Eddie Izzard
Selina Cadell, Eddie Izzard, and Mark Izzard
Mark Izzard
Selina Cadell
WestBeth Entertainment