John Lithgow Returns to Broadway in ‘The Columnist’ Spring 2012

John Lithgow is certainly no stranger to the Broadway stage. He won a Tony Award almost 40 years ago (1973) in his debut performance in ‘The Changing Room.’ He was also awarded with the Tony in 2002 for his work as a gossip columnist in the musical ‘The Sweet Smell of Success.’ The producers of ‘The Columnist’ can only hope for more of the same when he takes on the role of another columnist Joseph Alsop on the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre stage starting April 25, 2012 (previews begin April 3).

The premiere of the David Auburn play will focus on influential newspaper columnist Joseph Alsop who wrote from the 1940s through the 70s. Alsop was a controversial figure of the times for his closeted homosexuality and fervent support of the Vietnam War. He was a man embroiled in the shifting political landscape of the day. Auburn takes this slice of history and shapes it into his own vision through ‘The Columnist.’ Daniel Sullivan, who also took the reigns on Auburn’s past project ‘Proof,’ will direct the production with the Manhattan Theatre Club producing. David Auburn’s ‘Proof’ won the Pulitizer Prize for drama and the Tony Award for Best Play in 2001.

Outside of his success on the stage, John Lithgow is perhaps best known for his television roles as Dick Soloman on ‘Third Rock from the Sun’ and serial killer Arthur Mitchell on ‘Dexter.’ Both roles awarded him with Emmys for his work. His last play on Broadway was acting with Katie Holmes, Dianne Wiest and Patrick Wilson in ‘All of My Sons.’