| Writer | Paula Vogel |
|---|---|
| Characters | Phyllis Carl Martha |
| Setting | Washington, D.C., 1962 |
| Premiere | April 3, 2024 |
| Place | Hayes Theater |
| Orig lang | English |
| Genre | Drama |
Mother Play – A Play in Five Evictions is a dramatic stage play written by American playwright Paula Vogel. The play debuted on Broadway at the Hayes Theater on April 25, 2024, as part of Second Stage Theater's 2023–2024 season starring Jessica Lange, Celia Keenan-Bolger, and Jim Parsons.[1][2]
Synopsis
Phyllis, a hardheaded matriarch, attempts to guide the direction of her children's lives as they move into a new apartment in Washington, D.C.[3][4]
Cast and characters
| Character | Broadway 2024[1] |
|---|---|
| Phyllis | Jessica Lange |
| Carl | Jim Parsons |
| Martha | Celia Keenan-Bolger |
Production history
The play was announced in 2023 to make its world debut as part of Second Stage Theater's 2023–2024 Broadway season, directed by Tina Landau. Previews were held from April 3, 2024, and the play officially opened on April 25, 2024.[5] With a limited run, the play closed on June 16, 2024. The set was designed by David Zinn and costumes by Toni-Leslie James.[6]
The Melbourne Theatre Company staged the play's Australian premiere in June 2025, with Sigrid Thornton as Phyllis, Yael Stone as Martha, and Ash Flanders as Carl, directed by Lee Lewis.[7]
The Shakespeare & Company will feature Mother Play from August 29, 2025 until October 5, 2025 at the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre in Lenox, Massachusetts.
The Studio Theatre [8] in Washington, DC staged The Mother Play from November 12, 2025 through January 4, 2026. It was directed by Margot Bordelon and featured Stanley Bahorek [9] as Carl, Kate Eastwood Norris as Phyllis, and Zoe Mann as Martha. [10]
Accolades
2024 Broadway debut
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | rowspan=4|Tony Awards | Best Play | Paula Vogel | [11] | |
| Best Actress in a Play | Jessica Lange | ||||
| Best Featured Actor in a Play | Jim Parsons | ||||
| Best Featured Actress in a Play | Celia Keenan-Bolger | ||||
| Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Play | Mother Play | [12] | ||
| Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play | Jessica Lange | ||||
| Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play | Celia Keenan-Bolger | ||||
| Drama League Award | Outstanding Production of a Play | Mother Play | [13] | ||
| Distinguished Performance | Jessica Lange | ||||
| Jim Parsons | |||||
| Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Broadway Play | Paula Vogel | [14] | ||
| Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play | Jessica Lange | ||||
| Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play | Celia Keenan-Bolger | ||||
| Jim Parsons |
References
- ^ Miranda, Genesis (March 20, 2024). "Paula Vogel's Mother Play is Gearing Up for Its World Premiere in Broadway's Second Stage Theater This April". Classicalite.com. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
- ^ "Mother Play". Playbill
- ^ Dave Quinn (March 7, 2024). "Jessica Lange, Jim Parsons and Celia Keenan-Bolger Make a Move in Broadway's Mother Play (Exclusive)". People. Retrieved 2025-07-11.
- ^ "Mother Play, Equity NYC EPA". Backstage.com
- ^ "Paula Vogel's Mother Play Delays 1st Broadway Preview". Playbill
- ^ Paulson, Michael (September 6, 2023). "Jessica Lange Leads Starry Cast of New Paula Vogel Play on Broadway". The New York Times. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
- ^ "Theatre review: Mother Play, Southbank Theatre, The Sumner" by Thuy On, Arts Hub, July 6, 2025
- ^ https://www.studiotheatre.org/
- ^ <https://www.stanleybahorek.com/>
- ^ <https://www.studiotheatre.org/plays/play-detail/2025-2026/mother-play
- ^ "Hell's Kitchen and Stereophonic lead Tony Awards with 13 nominations each". NPR. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- ^ "Stereophonic Leads 2024 Drama Desk Awards With 7 Wins Including Outstanding Play" by Logan Culwell-Block, Paybill, June 10, 2024
- ^ "2024 Drama League Award Nominations announced". TheaterMania. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
- ^ "Stereophonic Leads 2024 Outer Critics Circle Awards, Wins Best Play; See the Full List of Winners". Playbill. Retrieved May 13, 2024.