Jeremy Irons and Joan Allen Interviewed on NPR 7 March 2009

Jeremy Irons and Joan Allen Interviewed on NPR – Saturday 7 March 2009 Listen Here!

Sara Krulwich / New York Times

Sara Krulwich / New York Times

After making films and winning Oscars, Emmys and Golden Globe nominations, Joan Allen and Jeremy Irons have returned to Broadway. In Impressionism, Allen plays a gallery owner who cannot part with the paintings she hangs because they remind her of stories from her own life. Irons plays the roving photojournalist who has grown tired of stories and takes a job in her gallery. They have different perspectives on art and life — but bicker like on old couple in a pensive and romantic play that also stars lithographs by Impressionist masters. Host Scott Simon speaks with Irons and Allen. The play, currently in previews, opens on March 24th.

March 7, 2009
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Impressionism Opening Date Moved to March 24

Impressionism Opening Date Moved to March 24

By Andrew Gans
March 6, 2009

The opening night of the new Broadway play Impressionism, which had been scheduled for March 12, has been adjusted by nearly two weeks. The new work, which co-stars Jeremy Irons and Joan Allen, will now officially open March 24 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre.

In a statement producer Bill Haber said, “We did not give Jack O’Brien and our extraordinary creative team and company enough time to fully prepare Michael Jacobs’s new play for Broadway. Impressionism is a world premiere on Broadway, which has not been work-shopped or played out of town. We are working hard in previews and we need more time to get the show finished for the official opening.”

The March 9 performance has been canceled to allow more rehearsal time. The rest of the performance schedule remains unchanged.

Directed by Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien (Hairspray, The Coast of Utopia), Impressionism — the story of an international photojournalist and a New York gallery owner “who discover each other and also that there might be an art to repairing broken lives” — began previews Feb. 28.

The cast also features four-time Academy Award nominee Marsha Mason (Steel Magnolias, Night of the Iguana), Hadley Delany, Tony nominee André De Shields (The Full Monty, Play On!), Michael T. Weiss (TV’s “The Pretender”), Aaron Lazar (Les Misérables, Tale of Two Cities) and Margarita Levieva.

The Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre is located at 236 West 45th Street. Tickets are available by visiting http://www.telecharge.com or by calling (212) 239-6200.

For more information visit http://www.impressionismtheplay.com.

March 6, 2009
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Irons Makes Good Impression

IRONS MAKES GOOD IMPRESSION

By CINDY ADAMS
New York Post

March 5, 2009 —

JEREMY Irons. On Broadway. “Impressionism,” now in previews, co-stars Joan Allen, with whom he’s worked before. Director’s Tony winner Jack O’Brien.

“It’s a play about mature love,” said Jeremy. “About the process and how, should it find you, you must be willing to give up your own personal emotional neurotic baggage. That is, if you want to come together with another person at this second stage of your life.”

The man does not speak from experience. “Oh, no, no, no. I fell in love with my wife when I was young.”

The first play Jeremy ever saw was “My Fair Lady”: “We lived on the Isle of Wight, and for special treats, my parents would take us to London.”

His own last Broadway outing was “The Real Thing” with Glenn Close 25 years ago. “Because it’s an investment to come over here. I have a life in Ireland and England. This is a six-month limited engagement, so I’ve rented a lovely apartment off an old friend in the West Village.

“But I must say, New York is such a friendly city. I was wandering around Gramercy Park, and a fireman walking by said, ‘Great to see you, man. Keep warm.’ Possibly didn’t even recognize me. Americans show what they feel. In England, we’re all so closed off. Even audiences are more outgoing and appreciative here. When Americans like you, they show it. Brits won’t ever let you know you’re good. Must keep us in our place, you know.”

And his routine when working onstage? “Wake up half past 10. Good breakfast and then, before the show, something nourishing, not too heavy, a light snack like an omelet. I have a little food after the show but don’t eat heavily late at night. And I’m relatively fit but, to keep in trim, I try to go to the gym about 5 o’clock so I’m warmed up for the performance. This way, working physically as well as mentally, all systems are go.”

Do all these systems ever not go? “It isn’t too often, but we can go up in our lines now and again. Happens mostly in long runs where you become too relaxed and begin to work on overdrive. After a while, you don’t concentrate. You’ve done it so long, you don’t focus. Usually you can catch up because you know what you’re trying to say even if you can’t come up with the exact word. Happened when I was very young. I felt the floor had opened and I was hanging there without a clue.”

“Impressionism” opens March 12.

March 5, 2009
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New video of Jeremy from Broadway.com

March 2, 2009
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Videos from Impressionism Meet-and-Greet

February 24, 2009
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Jeremy and cast of Impression attend Meet and Greet

NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 17, 2009

Jeremy Irons, Joan Allen, director Jack O’Brien and the cast of “Impressionism” attend a meet-and-greet for the Off-Broadway show ‘Impressionism’ at the New 42nd Street Studios on February 17, 2009 in New York City.

February 18, 2009
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Jeremy attends BAM benefit – New photos!!!

BROOKLYN, NY – FEBRUARY 17

Actor Jeremy Irons attends the Bridge Project benefit at BAM on February 17, 2009 in Brooklyn, New York.

bam-party05bam-party02

February 18, 2009
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Liz Smith on “Impressionism”

From the New York Post

February 17, 2009

TALK MAY be cheap, but there’s plenty of it about the coming Broadway pro duction “Impressionism,” which will star Joan Allen, Jeremy Irons, Marsha Mason – an excellent cast – opening March 12.

No wonder, it is being directed by the genius Jack O’Brien and was written by Michael Jacobs. Now here’s a story. Producer Bill Haber recently heard from a woman he’d represented 30 years ago, Susan Harris. He describes her as “the creator of ‘Soap,’ ‘The Golden Girls,’ ‘Empty Nest’ and a billion dollars worth of other writing. She is considered one of the smartest of all TV people.”

Susan said she’d seen the ad for “Impressionism” and talked CAA into lending her a script. She wanted Bill to know that the play “is the finest I’ve read in years. I went back and read it again! Who is this guy – Michael Jacobs? I’m going to stop writing plays since I can never match this. Thanks for doing something this adventuresome, courageous and sensitive.”

Now that’s the kind of pre-inside talk everybody wants. Haber says, “This moved me and reminded me again why we’re doing this play.”

February 17, 2009
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Jeremy’s character in Impressionism is called “Thomas Buckle”

from http://www.impressionismtheplay.com

JEREMY IRONS (Thomas Buckle). Trained at Bristol Old Vic London Theatre: Godspell, Rear Column, Embers. RSC: Wild Oats, Winter’s Tale, Richard 11, The Rover. National Theatre: Never So Good. NY: The Real Thing (Tony, Drama League Awards), A Little Night Music. Film includes: Dead Ringers (NY Critics Best Actor), Reversal of Fortune (Academy, Golden Globe Awards), Betrayal, French Lieutenant’s Woman, Moonlighting, Mission, Kafka, Waterland, Damage, M.Butterfly, Diehard with a Vengeance, Stealing Beauty, Lolita, Man in the Iron Mask, Eragon, Merchant of Venice, Being Julia, Casanova, Kingdom of Heaven, The Lion King (voice of Scar), Appaloosa. TV: “Langrishe Go Down,” “Brideshead Revisited,” “Tales from Hollywood ,” “Longitude,” “Elizabeth ” (Emmy, Globe, SAG Awards).Directed Mirad a Boy from Bosnia. Other Awards: European Film Academy , Cezar, Officier des Artes et Lettres.

JOAN ALLEN (Katharine Keenan). Broadway: Burn This (Tony Award); Heidi Chronicles (Tony Nomination). Off-Broadway: The Marriage Of Bette And Boo; And A Nightingale Sang (Clarence Derwent, Drama Desk, Outer Critic’s Circle, and Theater World Awards); Heidi Chronicles (Playwrights Horizons). As a founding member of the Steppenwolf Theater Company, she performed in multiple productions with the company. Film: Death Race; Bonneville; Bourne Ultimatum; Yes; The Upside Of Anger; Off The Map; Bourne Supremacy; The Notebook; The Contender (Oscar, SAG, Independent Spirit, Golden Globe nominations – Best Actress); Pleasantville; Face-Off (MTV Award); The Ice Storm; The Crucible (Oscar, SAG, Golden Globe nominations, Best Supporting Actress); Nixon (Oscar, SAG nominations, Best Supporting Actress); Searching For Bobby Fischer; Ethan Frome; Tucker; Manhunter; Peggy Sue Got Married; Compromising Positions. Recently completed filming Georgia O’Keeffe opposite Mr. Irons.

MARSHA MASON (Julia Davidson). Ms. Mason has been a professional working actor in film, television, and theater for over 30 years. Her most recent work includes A Feminine Ending at Playwrights Horizons and Steel Magnolias on Broadway. She has worked in New York, London, California, and regional theater. In film and television, she has earned 4 Academy Award nominations, 2 Golden Globes, 2 People’s Choice awards, an Emmy nomination, and 2 Life Achievement awards. She also received a Grammy nomination for her comedic recording of the London production of Prisoner of Second Avenue for LA Theater Works and has directed for theater & television.

ANDRÉ DE SHIELDS (Chiambuane) is an award-winning actor, director and educator. Broadway: The Full Monty, Prymate, Play On!, Ain’t Misbehavin’, The Wiz. The Classical Theatre of Harlem: King Lear, Caligula, Black Nativity, Dream On Monkey Mountain. La MaMa: Haarlem Nocturne. The Flea: Cato. Regional: Death Of A Salesman, Inherit The Wind, Waiting For Godot, Our Town. Intermittently, Mr. De Shields is a Distinguished Visiting Professor at colleges and universities across the nation. A proud member of Equity, SSDC, SAG and AFTRA. Namasté!

MICHAEL T. WEISS (Douglas Finch). Theater: “Herb” in Scarcity (Drama Desk Nom; Atlantic Theater), Of Equal Measure (Center Theater Group), “Pale” in Burn This; “Valmont” in Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Huntington), Look Back in Anger ( Dir. Forest Whitaker), Taming Of the Shrew. Film: Freeway (Sundance; Prod. Oliver Stone), Jeffrey (from Paul Rudnick’s play), Bones, Until the Night, Iowa (Tribeca Film Festival; Midwest FF ‘Best Actor Award’), Net Worth, Marmalade. TV: starred in NBC’s “The Pretender” as multiple characters, as well as numerous other series regulars & guest stars.

AARON LAZAR (Ben Joplin). Broadway credits include: The Light in the Piazza; Les Misérables revival (Drama Desk Nomination); A Tale of Two Cities. Film/TV: The Notorious Bettie Page, “Ugly Betty,” “New Amsterdam,” The Light in the Piazza (Live from Lincoln Center ); special guest “The Today Show.” Guest artist: Marvin Hamlisch and the National Symphony Orchestra; Keith Lockhart and The Boston Pops; NY Pops at Carnegie Hall; South Pacific at The Hollywood Bowl. http://www.aaronlazar.com

MARGARITA LEVIEVA (Nicole Hallady) will next be seen in two exciting films that premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival: Adventureland directed by Greg Mottola, from Miramax in March; Spread opposite Ashton Kutcher, directed by David Mackenzie, from Anchor Bay. Film: Noise directed by Henry Bean; The Invisible directed by David Goyer. TV: “Vanished,” “Law & Order: Trial by Jury” & the pilots “What’s Not To Love,” “NY 70” & “The Prince.” Levieva is thrilled to be making her theater & Broadway debut in Impressionism.

HADLEY DELANY (Young Katharine). Broadway debut. 8 years old. TV: Team Umizoomi. Film: The Nanny Diaries. Thanks to her teacher Ms. Scott, her headmaster Mr. Fox, her manager Ingrid French, her agent Barry Kolker. Love to her mother, father and younger siblings Forbes, Margot and Seth.

February 13, 2009
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In spotlight after 25-year absence – Jeremy Irons in Impressionism

In spotlight after 25-year absence
Sunday, February 8, 2009

BY JIM BECKERMAN
NorthJersey.com
STAFF WRITER

IMPRESSIONISM

andre rau

Opening night: March 12, Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre

Untried doesn’t mean untrue, says Jeremy Irons.

If the Oscar- and Tony-winning actor, about to open in “Impressionism,” hasn’t appeared on Broadway since 1984, it’s partly because he hasn’t been offered anything really new.

“People say, ‘Why haven’t you gone back to Broadway before?’ and the answer is, I haven’t been offered a new play that makes me buzz,” he says. “I’ve been offered a lot of revivals, but in a way I’m not a jobbing actor in that sense. I like to go on a journey into the unknown.”

That would be “Impressionism,” a new play by Michael Jacobs, co-starring Joan Allen, Marsha Mason and Andre De Shields, and directed by Jack O’Brien, that promises to be every bit as much of a puzzler as those first Degas and Monets were to the staid members of the Académie des Beaux-Arts.

A press release describes it thusly: “the story of a world traveling photojournalist and a New York gallery owner who discover each other and also that there might be an art to repairing broken lives.”

But that doesn’t really convey the odd construction of Jacobs’ (“Cheaters,” “Getting Along Famously”) play, which shifts back and forth in time and casts each of the main actors in multiple roles. Irons, in addition to playing the photojournalist, is also at different moments the former lover and father of the gallery owner. Allen, the gallery owner, is also a nurse in Africa, where Irons is photojournalizing.

“It’s unlike any play I’ve ever come across before,” Irons says. “Rather in the same way that maybe the first art critics who looked at Impressionist paintings thought, ‘I never saw anything like this before.’ It’s not a normal play, not a conventional structure.”

Just as an Impressionist painting may look like just a lot of dots or brush strokes up close, and only reveal its full meaning when viewed whole, so “Impressionism,” Irons says, takes the whole length of its roughly 100-minute running time to make itself clear.

“I suppose what you might say is, you don’t get the full story till the end of the picture,” Irons says. “I think it will be a fascinating evening.”

Irons was last seen on Broadway 25 years ago, in Tom Stoppard’s “The Real Thing.” He won a Tony for that role, and has had a busy career in several media since, having established himself as the nonpareil for playing brainy, languid characters of ambiguous virtue (“Brideshead Revisited” on TV, “Reversal of Fortune” and “Lolita” onscreen).

One of his most recent projects, by happy coincidence, teamed him with his current co-star, Allen. In “Georgia O’Keefe,” a Lifetime Television biopic set to air later this year, he played another photographer, Alfred Stieglitz, to Joan Allen’s O’Keefe. So when the two met again for “Impressionism,” they were already road-tested.

“I was able to get to know her,” Irons says. “So by the time I came to rehearsal [for the play], I knew her work and she knew mine, and there was a sort of trust.”

E-mail: beckerman@northjersey.com

February 8, 2009
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