Jez Butterworth's new play The Hills of California began previews in Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre September 11, and Playbill has peeled back the curtain to give you a first look at the production ahead of its September 29 opening night. Newly extended, the production is now set to continue through December 22. See video highlights of the production above, and newly released production shots below.
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.
Ta’Rea Campbell and Helena Wilson in The Hills of California
Leanne Best, Ophelia Lovibond, Helena Wilson, and Laura Donnelly in The Hills of California
Helena Wilson, Laura Donnelly, and Ophelia Lovibond in The Hills of California
Laura Donnelly in The Hills of California
Richard Short and Bryan Dick in The Hills of California
Nancy Allsop, Nicola Turner, Laura Donnelly,
Lara McDonnell, and Sophia Ally in The Hills of California
Helena Wilson and Ophelia Lovibond in The Hills of California
Nicola Turner, Nancy Allsop, Sophia Ally, and Lara McDonnell in The Hills of California
Helena Wilson in The Hills of California
Leanne Best and Richard Short in The Hills of California
Ophelia Lovibond in The Hills of California
Laura Donnelly in The Hills of California
David Wilson Barnes, Lara McDonnell, and Laura Donnelly in The Hills of California
Nancy Allsop, Nicola Turner, Sophia Ally, and Lara McDonnell in The Hills of California
Lara McDonnell, Nancy Allsop, and Sophia Ally in The Hills of California
Laura Donnelly and Lara McDonnell in The Hills of California
Nicola Turner, Nancy Allsop, Lara McDonnell, Sophia Ally, Laura Donnelly, and Richard Lumsden in The Hills of California
Lara McDonnell, Laura Donnelly, and Sophia Ally in The Hills of California
Leanne Best in The Hills of California
