April 26, 2009

The Philanthropist Opening Night

By Christopher Moore, Broadway Magazine

Broadway welcomed the newest revival of the season last night as The Philanthropist opened with Broadway favorite Matthew Broderick in the title role. Written by the witty and gifted playwright Christopher Hampton, the comedy is set in a British university, and takes comic aim at the isolated world of academia.

Broadway greats lined the red-carpet to be a part of the opening, including long-time Matthew Broderick stage-foil Nathan Lane. Mr. Lane will soon be opening in Waiting For Godot on Broadway this week. Broadway.tv and Broadway Magazine were there on the red carpet as Nathan Lane, Sarah Jessica Parker, Martha Plimpton, Swoosie Kurtz, and more came to see the show.

"He worked really, really hard," shares Matthew Broderick's wife, the celebrated Sarah Jessica Parker, " it's been a pretty abbreviated rehearsal and preview."

"I have actually been in this play before, it's very dear to my heart," smiles Swoosie Kurtz, thinking about The Philanthropist, "I think it's so brilliant. It's so moving - this play."

"It's a must-see Broadway show when Matthew is in it," says Andy Cohen of Bravo.

"I think Stephen Webber is one of the funniest people I've met in my life," beams the radiant Martha Plimpton on the red carpet in anticipation of seeing the show, "Jonathan Cake is sexy as hell. I'm really looking forward to seeing them in this show."

After the show, the cast and creative team of The Philanthropist gathered to celebrate their opening night.

"I got involved just because I read the script, and I really liked it... I thought it was a very funny and moving play. I thought I'd give it a shot," Matthew Broderick tells Broadway.tv after the opening night performance.

"I thought it might be amusing to write a play about a man who is very, very nice to everybody... but still manages to annoy them in the same way," recalls playwright Christopher Hampton.

"Christopher (Hampton) said, for his amusement in writing it, he based each of the characters on one of the seven deadly sins... he didn't tell us which... I think I know who I am," star Anna Madeley tells Broadway.tv with a grin.

"It was great. We had a phenomenal house and they were really on board with the style of the piece," says the talented Samantha Soule at the opening night party.

"It's a very witty play... it's always nice when the audience laughs. Almost always," says Matthew Broderick, displaying his characteristic wit.

"He's a dream," smiles Jennifer Mudge describing what it is like to work with Matthew Broderick, "being on stage with him, every moment is so full and delicious."

"What's extraordinary about this group is not only that they get along so well professionally, but that they get along personally as well. I really think that comes across on the stage," observes director David Grindley, who also earned praise this season for his direction of The American Plan.