THE Laura Pels Theatre at the Roundabout could hardly have chosen a worse day to open Brian Friel's Molly Sweeney on Broadway yesterday. New York was experiencing an official state of emergency, hit by the worst snow storm this year. As opening night guests filed into the theatre from empty streets, the temperature was below 20 degrees F, with a fierce wind chill factor bringing it down even further.
Despite all meteorological deterrents, however, the house was an impressive three quarters full. Luckily, most of the major critics had attended the play over the previous few days so notices will be appearing in New York newspapers this morning. In addition to critics, theatre and music folk, among them Robert Redford, Stephen Rea, Jonathan Miller and Carole King, have all dropped by.
For opening night those with stout hearts and good blizzard apparel included Seamus Heaney, Ann Friel, Peter Fallon of Gallery Press, Paul McGuinness - who flew in especially for the night - and Patrick Bedford, a veteran Friel actor and a trustee of the Gate Theatre in Dublin.
Aer Lingus, who has sponsored the production, was represented by Mr John Duffy and his wife, Jean, and new executive vice president of the airline, Mr Jack Foley. Aer Lingus also threw a special welcoming party before the production last Thursday.
From the US theatre ranks, Nigel Redden, from the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, was present as well as Leonard Foglia, director of Master Class, a current Broadway hit based on the life of Maria Callas. Carmen Kovens, producer at the Lincoln Centre, also attended.
The word is already out that this production will fare well on Broadway. It's cast - Jason Robards, Catherine Byrne and Alfred Molina - gel with unusual magic, and press coverage so far has been positive. And the fact that Brian Friel is directing is an added bonus.
By the end of the play, over a foot of snow had fallen on Manhatten and icy winds gusted at 25 miles an hour. Outside Broadway was closing down for the night.