Walter Kerr Theatre
219 West 48th Street
New York, NY 10036

Performances from 07 Oct 2012
Opening 01 Nov 2012
Closing 10 Feb 2013

The Heiress Performance length: Two hours and 50 minutes, which includes a 15-minute intermission.

Premium seats are available for most performances. 

Drama

Jessica Chastain (The Help), Dan Stevens ("Downton Abbey") and David Strathairn (Good Night, and Good Luck) star as a lonely heiress who is torn between her charming suitor, who may be a gold-digger, and her disapproving father.

The play is a psychological portrait of a shy, lonely heiress, her domineering father and the handsome suitor she falls in love with over her father's objections. Loosely based on Henry James' novel Washington Square, it was the hit of the 1947-48 Broadway season.

Notes from James:

David Strathairn is one of my favorite actors. For the past few months he has been appearing in a great play called The Heiress, at the Walter Kerr Theatre in New York City.  Mr. Strathairn, playing the role of Dr. Austin Sloper, stars along with Jessica Chastain, Dan Stevens and Judith Ivey in a play written by Ruth and Augustus Goetz.

The Heiress tells the story of Catherine Sloper, an ordinary looking young, awkward, unmarried woman, who desperately longs for love with a handsome suitor by the name of Morris Townsend.  Catherine's father suspects that Morris is only after the family's money and Catherine is caught between the two of them.  Even though Dr. Sloper tells Catherine he will "write her out of his will" if she marries Morris, Catherine is forced to chose between her ailing father and the man she wants to marry.

The play takes place in 1850's New York City, in the Sloper townhouse.  The sets are exquisite having been designed by Derek McLane and the extremely unique costume designs of this time period are by Albert Wolsky.  Both have done a wonderful job of conveying the time the play takes place in for sure.  Brilliant direction is by Moises Kaufman who has done allot on Broadway over the years.

I personally saw the show a few months ago when it began previews, and although I generally prefer Broadway musicals, I do have to say that the play and the actors were quite captivating.  I really thoroughly enjoyed myself after obtaining The Heiress tickets and have suggested it often to those seeking non-musical choices on Broadway.