Scarlett Johansson can barely conceal her excitement as she gets set to make her debut on Broadway. This is one production that is being looked forward to with great eagerness by Johansson’s fans as she stars with Tony-winner Liev Schreiber in a revival of Arthur Miller’s classic tragedy “A View from the Bridge”. The tickets for this production are already available, which is evident from the ‘ticket frenzy’ that has suddenly erupted and preview performances for this play will begin on Dec 28. The play, directed by Gregory Mosher, will officially open on Jan 14 at the Cort Theatre and is scheduled for a 14-week run.
“A View from the Bridge” is an extremely passionate drama, and the protagonists of this story are Eddie Carbone (Liev Schreiber) and his niece Catherine (Scarlett Johansson). For her part, Scarlett is extremely enthused about stepping onto the stage in front of a live audience and acting without cameras, takes and retakes. She is best known for her role in movies like “Lost in Translation,” “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” and “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” and is hoping to strike a chord with theater goers too. Liev Schreiber, most recently seen on screen in ‘Wolverine’, has already got his fair share of fame on Broadway, with his Tony award winning performance as Ricky Roma in the revival of David Mamet’s “Glengarry Glen Ross.” Other Broadway productions he’s starred in are “Talk Radio”, and “Betrayal”.
“A View from the Bridge” is story with intense emotions running throughout the storyline. Eddie Carbone, an Italian American longshoreman living with his wife, Beatrice, and niece, Catherine, in Brooklyn is the quintessential bread winner of the family. As the play progresses, one realizes that his feelings towards his niece aren’t entirely paternal, and he harbors incestuous desires for her.
Things are put into perspective for him when his wife’s cousins - Rodolpho and Marco – arrive in America as illegal immigrants. Catherine soon gets attracted towards the young and handsome Rodolpho who charms her with his vibrant personality. Jealousy overtakes Eddie as he witnesses the growing intimacy between the young lovers, and soon, he ends up reporting Rodolpho and Marco to the Immigration Bureau, from where begins his tragic downfall.
This act of betrayal leads him to losing the respect of his family, friends, and community. In the final scene, Marco returns to Eddie’s house to avenge the betrayal on the wedding day of Catherine and Rodolpho. There ensues a fight as Eddie attacks Marco with a knife. Being stronger of the two Eddie succeeds in turning the blade onto Eddie and kills him. Eddie dies in the arms of his wife, Beatrice.
A powerful play, beautiful characterization, great performances, and smooth storytelling – seems like the perfect recipe for instant success. Let’s wait and watch
