Jez Butterworth's new play The Hills of California begins previews on Broadway September 11 ahead of a September 29 opening night at the Broadhurst Theatre. The production, which previously played an Olivier nominated run in London, has Sam Mendes is at the helm, reuniting with Butterworth after staging the Off-Broadway, West End, and Broadway bows of his The Ferryman.
Set in a swelteringly hot 1970s summer, the piece sees the Webb sisters returning to their childhood home in the English seaside town of Blackpool. One sister hasn't been heard from in two decades, but her siblings hope that with their mother close to death upstairs that she might reappear after all.
A number of the original West End company are reprising their performances on Broadway, including Olivier winner and Tony nominee Laura Donnelly as Joan and Veronica, Leanne Best as Gloria, Ophelia Lovibond as Ruby, Helena Wilson as Jill, Nancy Allsop as Patty and Young Gloria, Sophia Ally as Young Ruby, Lara McDonnell as Young Joan, and Nicola Turner as Young Jill.
They are joined by Bryan Dick as Jack Larkin, Richard Short as Bill, David Wilson Barnes as Luther St. John, Richard Lumsden as Mr. Potts, Ta'Rea Campbell as Penny, Ellyn Heald as Mrs. Smith, Cameron Scoggins as Dr. Rose, and Max Roll as Mr. Smith. Understudies Sawyer Barth, Erin Rose Doyle, Sadie Veach, Liz Pearce, Jessica Baglow, Liam Bixby, and Q. Smith round out the company.
The London production's creative team reprise their work on Broadway, including scenic and costume designer Rob Howell, lighting designer Natasha Chivers, composer and sound designer Nick Powell, choreographer Ellen Kane, and music supervisor Candida Caldicot. Powell and Caldicot also serve as arranger. U.K. casting is by Amy Ball, U.K. young persons' casting is by Verity Naughton, and U.S. casting is by Jim Carnahan and JV Mercanti.
The producing team is led by Sonia Friedman Productions, No Guarantees Productions, Neal Street, Brian Spector, and Sand & Snow Entertainment, in association with Manhattan Theatre Club.
Visit TheHillsofCalifornia.com.
