Replacement Cast For God of Carnage Announced

Yasmina Reza's dark comedy God of Carnage, a breakout hit last season and the Best Play Tony Award winner, is still going strong at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on Broadway. Unfortunately its all-star cast - James Gandolfini, Marcia Gay Harden, Jeff Daniels, and Hope Davis - wasn't prepared for such a long run, so the show's producers are having to bring in a new cast in order to keep the play running. The good news is that they have secured some fine actors. As of November 17, the four actors playing God of Carnage's dysfunctional couples will be Jimmy Smits, Annie Potts, Christine Lahti, and Ken Stott (who was in the original London production of the play).

God of Carnage Goes On Summer Vacation

The Tony Award-winning hit Broadway play God of Carnage started a summer hiatus following its July 26 performance. Though it is unusual for a Broadway show to take an extended break, God of Carnage was only originally scheduled for a limited run to end in July. But due to the massive success of the dark comedy, the producers worked out an extension. However, a break is required first (most likely to accommodate the schedules of the show's in-demand cast). God of Carnage will resume performances at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on September 8 for a run that will go through November 15. The play by French writer Yasmina Reza is about two couples (played by Hope Davis, Jeff Daniels, Marcia Gay Harden, and James Gandolfini) who meet following a playground altercation between their children.

God of Carnage and Billy Elliot Take Top Honors at Tonys

The sun shined in Radio City Music Hall last night where they held the 63rd Annual Tony Awards, and where Best Musical Revival winner Hair made a particularly impressive showing. The broadcast's opening number began with Elton John singing a song from Best Musical winner Billy Elliot, which led into a medley that featured several current Broadway shows, culminating in all of the performers singing "Let the Sun Shine In" together on stage as Hair's hippies prowled through the aisles and danced with Tony attendees. The rest of the ceremony - for better or for worse - was similarly eventful, and was jam-packed with musical numbers this year (including songs from touring shows Legally Blonde, Mamma Mia, and Jersey Boys). Neil Patrick Harris proved to be a great host, with a relaxed demeanor and a sharp wit - he also sang a hilarious closing song recapping highlights from the ceremony. Big winners during the night included Best Play winner God of Carnage and Best Revival of a Play winner The Norman Conquests. Actors that took home trophies included Angela Lansbury and Geoffrey Rush, whose acceptance speeches were particular highlights, Next To Normal's Alice Ripley, West Side Story's Karen Olivo, and the trio of young men who play the title role in Billy Elliot.