For those far from NYC, the '71 film version starring Rod Steiger and Susannah York, directed by Mark Robson, is great if you can find it.
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I recently read this play thinking that it would be quite resonant for this time. And, I am quite happy to see that it is receiving a new, prominent production.
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I saw the original production at the Theatre de Lys with Kevin McCarthy and Marsha Mason in 1970 and I played Harold Ryan at the University of Virginia in 1974 (winning the "Ernest Hemingway Macho Award" from the Virginia Players as a jest), so It was fun to revisit the play after all these years. I remembered most of the lines, but had blocked out some just how thoroughly vile Harold's sexism and racism is and how homophobic his young son can be. It was nice to see how funny Wanda June is--here played by a little girl though we used a very convincing, petite 21-year old at UVA. Penelope remains the heart of the play, but Looseleaf--who dropped the A-bomb on Nagasaki--gets the most moving speech at end. Vonnegut called it a "simple-minded" play--and played up the extremeness of Harold's dated sexism. Now we are governed by someone far in excess of anyone even Vonnegut could have dreamt up. Thanks to Wheelhouse for bringing it back.
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Set Design by Brittany Vasta
Costume Design by Christopher Metzger
Lighting Design by Drew Florida
Sound Design by Mark Van Hare
Production Stage Manager: Tim Love
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