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Mrs Warren’s Profession Wraps Broadway Run November 28

George Bernard Shaw wrote “Mrs. Warren’s Profession” in 1894. However, the play was so shocking that it didn’t get performed

until 1902, and that was at a private presentation in London. The current production will be ending its limited engagement on

November 28 at American Airlines Theatre. Cherry Jones, Tony Award winning actress from “The Heiress,” stars as the leading

lady.

The drama opened officially on October 3, after previews that started on September 3. When it closes the play will have had

65 regular performances and 35 previews.

The profession referred to in the title of the play is “madam.” Kitty Warren, struggling to leave behind the tough

circumstances that so many Victorian women were crushed by, makes her rise and ends up running a brothels chain. Vivie, her

college-educated, well-fed, well-dressed, smart daughter- who is played by Sally Hawkins, a newcomer to Broadway best known

for her role in the movie “Happy-Go-Lucky”- up until now has been kept ignorant and separate from her mother’s world.

Doug Hughes, Tony Award winner has been reunited with Jones, his “Doubt” co-star, to bring this controversial play to theater

audiences in the 21st century. Jones is widely known for his role as U.S. President on the television program “24.”

During the play’s early life, authorities in London as well as New York City, tried to snuff the work out. In 1902 Shaw wrote

in “Author’s Apology” about the play, after an eight year delay “Mrs. Warren’s Profession” at last has been performed. Once

again I have shared the triumphant amusement with Ibsen of startling all except the strongest headed among London theatre

critics clear out of practicing their profession. If “Mrs. Warren’s Profession” was to play to an audience consisting of

Christian Social Union clerical members and women experienced in Girls’ Club, Temperance and Rescue work, there would be no

moral panic arising. Every woman and man present would be aware that as long as virtue is made hideous by poverty and that

rich bachelors with spare pocket money makes vice dazzling, that their hand to hand combat of fighting against prostitution

with persuasion and prayer, scanty alms and shelters, would lose.

Hawkins, a Golden Globe winner, and Jones are joined by Mark Harelik (“The Immigrant” creator, The Light in the Piazza)

playing Sir George Crofts, Adam Driver (the Rattlestick’s “Little Doc”) playing Frank Gardner, Michael Siberry (The Merchant

of Venice, A Man for All Seasons) playing Rev. Samuel Gardner and Edward Hibbert (The Drowsy Chaperone, Curtains) playing

Praed.

The design team includes sets by Scott Pask, costumes by Catherine Zuber, lights by Kenneth Posner and sound by David Van

Tieghem.

“Mrs. Warren’s Profession” by Shaw is Kitty Warren’s story. She is a mother who has made great sacrifices for the

independence of her daughter Vivie. The clash between the culturally constrained but strong willed women sparks the ironic

wit for one of the greatest plays from Shaw.

“Mrs. Warren’s Profession” made its Broadway premiere at Garrick Theatre in 1905. It had subsequent Broadway revivals in

1907, then 1918 and 1922 as well as 1976.

The play is currently being before on Tuesday through Saturday at 8 pm. Matinees play at 2 pm on Wednesdays, Saturdays and

Sundays.