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Cate Blanchett to Star as Russian Widow in “The Present” As She Makes Broadway Debut

Cate Blanchett will soon make her Broadway debut as a Russian widow in The Present. The Present is a lesser-known Chekhov play, reimagined for its production on the Broadway stage. Cate Blanchett to m...
Cate Blanchett to Star as Russian Widow in “The Present” As She Makes Broadway Debut
Written by Kimberly Ripley
  • Cate Blanchett will soon make her Broadway debut as a Russian widow in The Present.

    The Present is a lesser-known Chekhov play, reimagined for its production on the Broadway stage.

    Cate Blanchett stars in the role of Anna Petrovna, and the play tells the story of a group of friends celebrating her 40th birthday.

    John Crowley, known for directing three previous Broadway plays–A Behanding in Spokane, A Steady Rain, and The Pillowman–will direct The Present. He also directed the film Brooklyn.

    “It’s about life, basically, and the choices that a group of people make,” he says.

    “It’s also very, very, Chekhov, in a lot of ways truer to his spirit than a lot of period productions which rely heavily on a certain mood rather than actual drama,” he adds. “And it’s extremely witty.”

    The Present’s run will be limited to 13 weeks, which is typical of plays with stars of Cate Blanchett’s caliber. While this will be her Broadway debut, Cate Blanchett has starred in several off-Broadway productions.

    Nominated for six Academy Awards, Cate Blanchett is up for one this year for her role in Carol.

    Performances of The Present will begin late in 2016.

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