Admirers of director Dan Sullivan should catch his appearance from several weeks back (Dec. 21) on Charlie Rose. I think this was Dan’s first appearance on Charlie Rose; sitting at that round table seems like some kind of career threshold for New York artists. Rose’s program was about Dan’s production of the Public’s "The Merchant of Venice" which was a hit in the Park last summer and reopened on Broadway Oct. 19.
Also on the program was Lily Rabe who plays Portia opposite Al Pacino as Shylock. Dan told how Pacino, when he heard that the Public was considering Merchant, expressed interest in the role of Shylock, explaining that he relished that role in the film a few years back but there was more he wanted to explore in Shylock’s relationship with Portia. Rabe talked about Pacino’s intensity as a scene partner. I imagine Pacino’s participation had added significance because Joe Papp once fired him in the early years of the Public. Lily Rabe is the daughter of David Rabe, a major playwright for the Public in those early years, and actress Jill Clayburgh who died in November. As soon as the Delacorte production garnered raves there were rumors of a transfer. On Broadway "Merchant" has been a hit.
It’s a treat to observe Dan’s success in New York. Over the last dozen years he must have the highest batting average of any New York director. Many of his plays have been home runs and flops have been rare. He has a good nose for scripts and casting (he once said good directing is 90% casting). Those of us in Seattle’s theatre community feel special pride in Dan’s New York success. He did a stellar job as Artistic Director of Seattle Rep from 1981 to 1997. (Doug Hughes, Dan’s assistant artistic director in Seattle, hasn’t fared too badly in New York either.)
"Merchant" is playing at the Broadhurst until Jan. 9 when Shylock has to leave for a film commitment. Pacino returns at the end of January for a three-week run Feb. 1-20. I don’t know if tickets are still available but if I were going to be in New York I’d sure try to get one.
It’s a treat to observe Dan’s success in New York. Over the last dozen years he must have the highest batting average of any New York director. Many of his plays have been home runs and flops have been rare. He has a good nose for scripts and casting (he once said good directing is 90% casting). Those of us in Seattle’s theatre community feel special pride in Dan’s New York success. He did a stellar job as Artistic Director of Seattle Rep from 1981 to 1997. (Doug Hughes, Dan’s assistant artistic director in Seattle, hasn’t fared too badly in New York either.)
"Merchant" is playing at the Broadhurst until Jan. 9 when Shylock has to leave for a film commitment. Pacino returns at the end of January for a three-week run Feb. 1-20. I don’t know if tickets are still available but if I were going to be in New York I’d sure try to get one.