The Sisters Rosensweig is a play by Wendy Wasserstein. The play focuses on three Jewish-American sisters and their lives. It "broke theatrical ground by concentrating on a non-traditional cast of three middle-aged women."[1] Wasserstein received the William Inge Award for Distinguished Achievement in American Theatre for this play.
It transferred to Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on March 18, 1993, and closed on July 16, 1994, after 556 performances. Again directed by Sullivan, the Broadway cast remained the same as off-Broadway, except that Christine Estabrook took the role of "Pfeni" for Frances McDormand. Notable replacements include Linda Lavin as Gorgeous Teitelbaum and Michael Learned as Sara Goode. [2]
Sara, who lives in London, is a representative for a major Hong Kong bank and is about to turn 54. Her sisters, Gorgeous Teitelbaum and Pfeni Rosensweig, arrive to help celebrate the birthday. Gorgeous is Dr. Gorgeous with a radio-advice program; Pfeni is a world traveler. Various friends and boyfriends also arrive for the party. In particular, Mervyn, a friend of Pfeni's boyfriend Geoffrey, falls instantly in love with Sara.
Concept
Wasserstein said that the play is "about being Jewish." She "wanted to write a play that celebrated the possibilities of a middle-aged woman who, unlike her other protagonists, does not end up alone."[5]
Critical response
The New York Times review of the original production wrote that the play is: "...[a] captivating look at three uncommon women and their quest for love, self-definition and fulfillment. But underlying the comedy is an empathetic concern for the characters and for the prospects of women today. At the same time, the play has its imperfections. There are gratuitous remarks and irrelevancies."[6]
Outstanding Actress in a Play - Jane Alexander (winner)
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play - Robert Klein (nominee)
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play - Madeline Kahn (winner)
Outstanding Director of a Play (nominee)
References
^Herrington, Joan. The playwright's muse (2002), Routledge, ISBN0-8153-3779-5, p. 35
^Listing, Broadway ibdb.com, accessed March 4, 2015
^Coveney, Michael (2006-02-01). "Wendy Wasserstein". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
^"The West End stage in September 1994". London theatre tickets. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
^Balakian, Jan. "Wendy Wasserstein Article" jwa.org, March 1, 2009
^Gussow, Mel."Review/Theater; Wasserstein: Comedy, Character, Reflection",The New York Times, October 23, 1992
^Outer Critics Circle Award, 1992-1993 2008-05-05 at the Wayback Machine outercritics.org, accessed May 21, 2009
External links
Internet Broadway Database
Internet Off-Broadway Database listing
August 22, 2023
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The Sisters Rosensweig is a play by Wendy Wasserstein The play focuses on three Jewish American sisters and their lives It broke theatrical ground by concentrating on a non traditional cast of three middle aged women 1 Wasserstein received the William Inge Award for Distinguished Achievement in American Theatre for this play The Sisters RosensweigWritten byWendy WassersteinCharactersSara GoodeGorgeous TeitelbaumMervyn KantPfeni DuncanNicholas PymTess GoodeTom ValinusGeoffrey DuncanSettingLondon England August 1991 Contents 1 Production history 1 1 London production 1 2 Digital production 2 Plot 3 Concept 4 Critical response 5 Awards and nominations 5 1 Outer Critics Circle Award 5 2 Tony Award 5 3 Drama Desk Award 6 References 7 External linksProduction history EditThe play first opened in April 1992 at the Seattle Repertory Theatre It premiered off Broadway in a Lincoln Center Theater production at the Mitzi Newhouse Theater on October 22 1992 and closed on February 28 1993 after 149 performances Directed by Daniel J Sullivan the cast included Jane Alexander and Madeline Kahn It transferred to Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on March 18 1993 and closed on July 16 1994 after 556 performances Again directed by Sullivan the Broadway cast remained the same as off Broadway except that Christine Estabrook took the role of Pfeni for Frances McDormand Notable replacements include Linda Lavin as Gorgeous Teitelbaum and Michael Learned as Sara Goode 2 Original Broadway Cast Sara Goode Jane Alexander Gorgeous Teitelbaum Madeline Kahn Mervyn Kant Robert Klein Pfeni Rosensweig Christine Estabrook Nicholas Pym John Cunningham Tess Goode Julie Dretzin Tom Valiunus Patrick Fitzgerald Geoffrey Duncan John VickeryLondon production Edit It premiered at the Greenwich Theatre in 1994 3 where it was directed by Michael Blakemore and the sisters were played by Janet Suzman Maureen Lipman and Lynda Bellingham The play transferred to the Old Vic in September 1994 4 Digital production Edit Released on May 20 2021 there was a livestreamed production of the play to benefit the Actors Fund the Theater Development Fund s Wendy Wasserstein Project and the Steppenwolf Theater Company Directed by Anna D Shapiro the company s artistic director it featured Lisa Edelstein Kathryn Hahn and Tracee Chimo Pallero as the three sisters It also featured Jason Alexander Kathryn Newton and James Urbaniak Plot EditSara who lives in London is a representative for a major Hong Kong bank and is about to turn 54 Her sisters Gorgeous Teitelbaum and Pfeni Rosensweig arrive to help celebrate the birthday Gorgeous is Dr Gorgeous with a radio advice program Pfeni is a world traveler Various friends and boyfriends also arrive for the party In particular Mervyn a friend of Pfeni s boyfriend Geoffrey falls instantly in love with Sara Concept EditWasserstein said that the play is about being Jewish She wanted to write a play that celebrated the possibilities of a middle aged woman who unlike her other protagonists does not end up alone 5 Critical response EditThe New York Times review of the original production wrote that the play is a captivating look at three uncommon women and their quest for love self definition and fulfillment But underlying the comedy is an empathetic concern for the characters and for the prospects of women today At the same time the play has its imperfections There are gratuitous remarks and irrelevancies 6 Awards and nominations EditOuter Critics Circle Award Edit 7 Best Broadway Play winner Best Actor Play Robert Klein winner Best Actress Play Madeline Kahn winner Best Actress Play Jane Alexander nominee Best Director Play winner Tony Award Edit Best Play nominee Best Actress in a Play Madeline Kahn winner Best Actress in a Play Jane Alexander nominee Best Costume Design Jane Greenwood nominee Best Direction of a Play nominee Drama Desk Award Edit Outstanding New Play nominee Outstanding Actress in a Play Jane Alexander winner Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play Robert Klein nominee Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Madeline Kahn winner Outstanding Director of a Play nominee References Edit Herrington Joan The playwright s muse 2002 Routledge ISBN 0 8153 3779 5 p 35 Listing Broadway ibdb com accessed March 4 2015 Coveney Michael 2006 02 01 Wendy Wasserstein The Guardian ISSN 0261 3077 Retrieved 2016 01 13 The West End stage in September 1994 London theatre tickets Retrieved 2016 01 13 Balakian Jan Wendy Wasserstein Article jwa org March 1 2009 Gussow Mel Review Theater Wasserstein Comedy Character Reflection The New York Times October 23 1992 Outer Critics Circle Award 1992 1993 Archived 2008 05 05 at the Wayback Machine outercritics org accessed May 21 2009External links EditInternet Broadway Database Internet Off Broadway Database listing Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title The Sisters Rosensweig amp oldid 1170683641, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
