Good People
By David Lindsay-Abaire
Directed by Daniel Sullivan
Originally produced at Manhattan Theatre Club, New York, NY.
February 8, 2011 through May 8, 2011
About the Premiere Production: (Good People is also published by TCG Books.) Welcome to Southie, a Boston neighborhood where a night on the town means a few rounds of bingo… where this month’s paycheck covers last month’s bills… and where Margie Walsh has just been let go from yet another job. Facing eviction and scrambling to catch a break, Margie thinks an old fling who's made it out of Southie might be her ticket to a fresh new start. But is this apparently self-made man secure enough to face his humble beginnings? Margie is about to risk what little she has left to find out. With his signature humorous glow, Lindsay-Abaire explores the struggles, shifting loyalties and unshakable hopes that come with having next to nothing in America.
Artistic Statement: David Lindsay-Abaire’s immense talent was already evident in Fuddy Meers which we produced during MTC’s 1999-2000 season on our off-off-Broadway stage. That was David’s first professional production. We produced his next two plays, Wonder of the World and Kimberly Akimbo, off-Broadway in 2001 and 2003. And in 2006, I was thrilled to produce his debut on Broadway--Rabbit Hole--which went on to win the Pulitzer Prize.
David’s first straight play since Rabbit Hole is Good People. When Margaret, a woman from South Boston, encounters an old boyfriend from the neighborhood who went to college and has made good on the American Dream, she is forced to confront what has held her back in life and why she has never felt that she had the opportunity to break free from poverty’s chains. In this play, David has successfully tackled a topic rarely addressed in the theatre today - the very important issue of class in America - with a strong voice and a lot of heart.
Today’s audiences will most certainly find much to connect with in the play, especially during these troubled times; but the beauty of Good People, and the genius of David’s writing, are that audiences of any age can relate to the essentially universal story of striving for something better.
Good People is another artistic leap for David. I look forward to sharing it with the world in what I am sure will be a thoughtful and beautiful production steered by one of today’s most renowned theatre directors, Daniel Sullivan, who also directed Rabbit Hole. It will star Frances McDormand and Tate Donovan.
What this grant will allow us to do: We are honored that the Edgerton Foundation has selected Manhattan Theatre Club’s world premiere production of David Lindsay-Abaire’s Good People to be among the recipients of its 2010 New American Play Awards. This award will provide essential support by allowing us to extend the rehearsal period by one week, providing a full five weeks of rehearsal. This time together before the Broadway curtain rises is a crucial period for the creative team and cast. We believe David’s first solo work since Rabbit Hole will prompt be a great deal of attention and anticipation. The additional week of rehearsal made possible by the Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award grant will allow David, director Daniel Sullivan, the cast, including Frances McDormand and Tate Donovan, and other members of the creative team to continue to refine and ready the play for its world premiere audience. We are eager to share the results of this (now extended) collaboration with the world!
Director: Daniel Sullivan
Cast: Frances McDormand and Tate Donovan
Additional Funders: This play was commissioned through MTC’s Bank of America New American Play Program. Support for this production was provided by The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation
Subsequent Productions:
Hampstead Theatre and Old Vic
London, UK
April 10-14, 2014
WaterTower Theatre
Addison, TX
June 6, 2014 - June 29, 2014
Alley Theatre
Houston, TX
May 30, 2014 - June 29, 2014
Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble
Bloomsburg, PA
May 8, 2014 - May 25, 2014
Capital Stage
Sacramento, CA
April 30, 2014 - June 1, 2014
The Public Theatre
Lewiston, ME
March 14, 2014 - March 23, 2014
Curious Theatre Company
Denver, CO
March 8, 2014 - April 19, 2014
Northern Stage
White River Junction, VT
March 5, 2014 - March 23, 2014
Hampstead Theatre
London, England
February 27, 2014 - April 5, 2014
TheatreSquared
Fayetteville, AR
February 13, 2014 - March 9, 2014
Ensemble Theatre Company
Santa Barbara, CA
February 6, 2014 - February 23, 2014
Riverside Theatre
Iowa City, IA
January 24, 2014 - February 16, 2014
Gamm Theatre
Pawtucket, RI
November 7, 2013 - December 8, 2013
Salt Lake Acting Company
Salt Lake City, UT
October 30, 2013 - November 24, 2013
Virginia Repertory Theatre
Richmond, VA
October 17, 2013 - November 9, 2013
Marin Theatre Company
Mill Valley, CA
September 6, 2013 - September 15, 2013
GableStage
Coral Gables, FL
July 20, 2013 - August 18, 2013
Vermont Stage Company
Burlington, VT
April 24, 2013 - May 12, 2013
Syracuse Stage
Syracuse, NY
April 24, 2013 - May 12, 2013
Cleveland Playhouse
Cleveland, OH
March 22, 2013 - April 14, 2013
Unicorn Theatre
Kansas City, MO
February 27, 2013 - March 24, 2013
Performance Network Theatre
Ann Arbor, MI
February 21, 2013 - March 31, 2013
Arena Stage
Washington, DC
February 1, 2013 - March 10, 2013
George Street Playhouse
New Brunswick, NJ
January 29, 2013 - February 24, 2013
Alliance Theatre
Atlanta, GA
January 16, 2013 - February 10, 2013
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
St. Louis, MO
January 2, 2013 - January 27, 2013
Pittsburgh Public Theater
Pittsburgh, PA
November 8, 2012 - December 9, 2012
PURE Theatre
Charleston, SC
November 2, 2012 - December 8, 2012
The Old Globe
San Diego, CA
September 29, 2012 - October 28, 2012
Huntington Theatre Company
Boston, MA
September 14, 2012 - October 14, 2012
Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Chicago, IL
September 13, 2012 - November 18, 2012
Dorset Theatre Festival
Dorset,VT
June 20, 2012 - July 7, 2012
Geffen Playhouse
Los Angeles, CA
April 3, 2012 - May 13, 2012
News
Good People to transfer to the West End
Hampstead Theatre, March 21, 2014
Good People continues Hampstead Theatre's artistic rebirth
Metro, March 10, 2014
Good People, Hampstead Theatre, London - Review
The Financial Times, March 9, 2014
Class act Imelda is the heir to Dame Judi:QUENTIN LETTS reviews Good People
Daily Mail, March 7, 2014
Good People
British Theatre Guide, March 7, 2014
Good People, Hampstead Theatre - Imelda Staunton is sensational - theatre review
London Evening Standard, March 6, 2014
Good People review - 'Imelda Staunton fills a cracking lead role to perfection'
The Guardian, March 6, 2014
Good People, Hampstead Theatre, review
The Telegraph, March 6, 2014
Good People, theatre review: Imelda Staunton magnificent as tough single mother
The Independent, March 6, 2014
Good People (Hampstead Theatre)
What's On Stage, March 6, 2014
Good People at Hampstead Theatre
Exeunt Magazine, March 6, 2014
Good People
Time Out London, March 6, 2014
Good People
The Stage, March 6, 2014
Good People, Hampstead Theatre
The Arts Desk, March 5, 2014
From Pulitzers to Tonys, David Lindsay-Abaire Turns Blue Collar Roots Into Art
Huffington Post, June 12, 2011
Good People, Book of Mormon, Jerusalem Named Winners of New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards
Playbill, May 9, 2011
Manhattan Theatre Club's 'Good People' Asks: What Makes a Person Good?
Culture Mob, April 27, 2011
Stage review: In 'Good People,' words don't always mean what they seem
Reading Eagle, April 5, 2011
'Good People' by David Lindsay-Abaire, coming to Geffen Playhouse
Los Angeles Times July 6, 2011
BWW Interviews: GOOD PEOPLE's Estelle Parsons
Broadway World, April 4, 2011
Broadway's Good People Gets Final Extension, Shifting Dates of Master Class
Playbill, March 22, 2011
An excellent cast makes 'Good People' riveting
The Poughkeepsie Journal, March 16, 2011
You'd be fortunate to meet 'Good People'
USA Today, March 4, 2011
'Good People' With Frances McDormand
The New York Times, March 3, 2011
Good People
Variety, March 3, 2011
Photo Flash: Playwrights Horizons' KIN
Broadway World, March 3, 2011
David Lindsay-Abaire's Good People Opens on Broadway; Frances McDormand, Tate Donovan Star
Playbill, March 3, 2011
PLAYBILL.COM'S BRIEF ENCOUNTER With David Lindsay-Abaire
Playbill, March 2, 2011
Manhattan Theatre Club's GOOD PEOPLE Extends Through May 8th
Broadwayworld.com, February 22, 2011