The Lehman Trilogyis a three-act play by Italian novelist and playwrightStefano Massini.It follows the lives of three immigrant brothers from when they arrived in America and founded aninvestment firmthrough thecollapse of Lehman Brothersin 2008. It has been translated into 24 languages, staged by such directors asLuca RonconiandSam Mendes,[1]and was later published as a novel in English.[2]An English translation of the play by Mirella Cheeseman[3]was produced at theNational Theatrein 2018. The production, featuring three actors and one pianist, was directed bySam Mendesand included the cast ofSimon Russell Beale,Adam GodleyandBen Miles.It earned fiveLaurence Olivier Awardnominations.
| The Lehman Trilogy | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Stefano Massini |
| Date premiered | October 8, 2013 |
| Place premiered | Comédie de Saint-Étienne (Saint-Étienne - France) |
| Original language | Italian |
| Subject | Lehman Brothers |
The production made itsBroadwaytransfer in March 2020 and performed briefly before theCOVID-19 pandemic.The play resumed performances in fall 2021 withAdrian Lesterreplacing Ben Miles. The production received universal critical acclaim and eightTony Awardnominations, winning five awards including forBest Play,Best Direction of a Playfor Sam Mendes, andBest Actor in a Playfor Simon Russell Beale.
Productions
editThe Lehman Trilogyopened at Comédie de Saint-Étienne inSaint-Étiennein a French translation. In 2015Luca Ronconidirected the Italian premiere, atPiccolo TeatroinMilan.The play was eventually translated and staged in several cities across Europe.[4]
Translated by Mirella Cheeseman, adapted by British playwrightBen Powerfrom Massini'sepic poem,[5]and directed by British directorSam Mendes,the play made its English debut in London at theNational Theatre[6]in theLyttelton Theatre,running from 12 July 2018 to 20 October 2018.[7][8]
The National Theatre's staging of the play transferred to the United States at thePark Avenue Armory,in New York City, from 22 March 2019 to 20 April 2019.[9]
This production then returned to theWest EndPiccadilly Theatrestarting on 11 May 2019 for a limited twelve week run, which was extended for another 4 weeks, ending on 31 August 2019.[10][11]
The National Theatre production was set to revisit the United States, originally to open onBroadwayat theNederlander Theatreon 7 March 2020 in previews, officially on 26 March.Adam Godley,Ben Miles,andSimon Russell Beale,who play the three title brothers, their sons, and grandsons, would reprise their performances.[12][13][14]As of 12 March 2020, the show suspended production due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[15]In June 2021, it was reported thatThe Lehman Trilogywould reopen in previews on 25 September 2021 and officially on 14 October. Godley and Beale would return to the production, whileAdrian Lesterwould replace Miles.[16]The Broadway production's final performance was on 2 January 2022.[17]
The National Theatre production appeared at theAhmanson TheatreinLos Angelesin a limited engagement from 3 March 2022 through 10 April 2022, starring Godley, Beale, and Howard W. Overshown, Miles' understudy from the Broadway production.[18]The production was scheduled to continue inSan Franciscoat theAmerican Conservatory Theater,[18]but was indefinitely postponed on 3 March 2022 with the National Theatre Productions Managing Director citing "a myriad of obstacles that left us unable to say with confidence when the show can arrive in the Bay Area".[19]
The production returned toLondon'sWest Endat theGillian Lynne Theatrefor a limited season from 14 January to 20 May 2023, starringNigel Lindsay,Michael Balogun andHadley Fraser.[20]
An international tour began performances at TheTheatre Royal, Sydneyin February 2024, with a cast featuringAdrian Schiller,Aaron Krohn and Howard W. Overshown. The production toured toSan Franciscoat theAmerican Conservatory Theaterin May and June 2024, withJohn Heffernanreplacing Schiller, who died in April 2024.
In September 2024 the production returned again to theGillian Lynne Theatrein London'sWest Endfor a strictly limited run from 24 September 2024 to 5 January 2025, seeing the same main cast as the previous tour.[21]
Overview
editMendes said: "The Lehman Trilogywas developed over three years without the constraint of a schedule, or even a plan — it was allowed time to find its form, and to build a wonderful team with which to make it. One of the chief joys has been to work across borders with two great writers, and to invite three of the finest actors of their generation to work with us. We are indebted to the National Theatre and the Park Avenue Armory for their unstinting support throughout... "[9]
The original play lasts for five hours[22]and Power has written it into a three-hour English version. With a cast of only three actors,Simon Russell Beale,Ben Miles,andAdam Godley,the play explores the vicissitude of American capitalism through the 164-year-history ofLehman Brothers,from whenHenry Lehman,aGerman Jew,first migrated to the U.S. and opened his store inAlabama,to the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. that exacerbated the2008 financial crisis.
Cast
edit| Role | Milan | London | Off-Broadway | West End | Broadway | Los Angeles | West End Revival | International Tour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2018 | 2019 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||
| Henry Lehman | Massimo De Francovich | Simon Russell Beale | Nigel Lindsay | John Heffernan | ||||
| Emanuel Lehman | Fabrizio Gifuni | Ben Miles | Adrian Lester | Howard W. Overshown | Michael Balogun | Howard W. Overshown | ||
| Mayer Lehman | Massimo Popolizio | Adam Godley | Hadley Fraser | Aaron Krohn | ||||
The three actors not only play the three Lehman brothers who founded the business but all other roles. They play their children and grandchildren, includingPhilip Lehman(son of Emanuel, played by Simon Russell Beale),Herbert Lehman(son of Mayer, played by Ben Miles), andRobert Lehman(son of Philip, played by Adam Godley), as well as various minor characters[23]during the unfolding of family history such as wives, toddlers, and business partners, although they never change the original costume – tailored three-piece suits often seen in 19th-century portraits of men. The understudies for the roles of Henry, Emanuel, and Mayer Lehman at the National Theatre wereLeighton Pugh,Dominik Tiefenthaler,and Will Harrison-Wallace, respectively. Tiefenthaler replaced Miles during the show's run at the Piccadilly Theatre.
Reviews
editThe play has been highly praised by critics for "the successful adaptation that both preserves the essence, the poetic language of the original play and makes it more succinct"; "the elegant, well-paced direction that narrates with simplicity, depth and richness"; and "the superb, versatile acting of the cast, who seem to metamorphose at will with the characters they put on". The set design byEs Devlin– a rotating glass box furnished in the style of a contemporary office, as well as the video projection in the back stage that accompany the set, showing the changing landscapes in time and space during the development of the business and American capitalism created by Luke Halls, also made a great impression.[24]BothThe GuardianandThe Timesgive the play a five-star mark.The New York Timescalled the Broadway production "captivating" and "a vividly human tale, nimbly performed by three of the finest actors around".[25]
The play has been critiqued for not mentioning the Lehman family's involvement with slavery.Sarah Churchwell,writing forThe New York Review of Books,criticized the play for "profoundly underplaying not only the firm’s deep entanglement in the slave economy, but also that of the brothers themselves, who held slaves for at least twenty years."[26]The Washington Post'sRichard Cohenwrote that the play was "silent" on the issue of slavery and that the playwright should have addressed the topic because "To not mention slavery is in itself a statement — of disinterest, of unimportance, of lesser importance, ofsomething.Would an American playwright, confronted on a daily basis with the economic, cultural and historical ramifications of slavery, have made the same decision? I can’t imagine it. "[27]
Dave Richaccused the play of perpetuating negative,historical stereotypesaboutJews and money.writing inThe Observer,said:
It is gratuitous and overwhelming, far beyond what is necessary to convey the biographical fact that the Lehmans were Jewish. It leaves you feeling that this is not only a play about bankers who are Jews, but a play about Jews who are bankers. And what does it tell us about these Jews? Mainly that they love money and will do anything to get more of it...The Lehman Brothers did not invent the role of middlemen or brokers and they weren’t the only ones to perform this role, but you wouldn’t know that from the play. The charge that Jews are economic parasites, generating unproductive profit from the honest toil of others, has been a staple of anti-Jewish propaganda for centuries.[28]
Awards and nominations
editOriginal London production
edit| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Evening Standard Theatre Award | Best Play | Nominated | [29] [30] | |
| 2019 | Laurence Olivier Award | Best New Play | Nominated | [31] | |
| Best Actor | Simon Russell Beale,Adam GodleyandBen Miles | Nominated | |||
| Best Director | Sam Mendes | Nominated | |||
| Best Set Design | Es Devlin | Nominated | |||
| Best Sound Design | Nick Powelland Dominic Bilkey | Nominated | |||
Original Broadway production
edit| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Production of a Play | Won | [32] | |
| Outstanding Director of a Play | Sam Mendes | Nominated | |||
| Distinguished Performance Award | Simon Russell Beale | Nominated | |||
| 2022 | Outer Critics Circle Award | Outstanding New Broadway Play | Won | [33] | |
| Outstanding Actor in a Play | Simon Russell Beale | Won | |||
| Adam Godley | Nominated | ||||
| Adrian Lester | Nominated | ||||
| Outstanding Director of a Play | Sam Mendes | Won | |||
| Outstanding Scenic Design (Play or Musical) | Es Devlin | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical) | Jon Clark | Won | |||
| Outstanding Sound Design (Play or Musical) | Nick Powelland Dominic Bilkey | Won | |||
| Outstanding Video/Projection Design (Play or Musical) | Luke Halls | Won | |||
| 2022 | Tony Awards | Best Play | Won | [34] | |
| Best Actor in a Play | Simon Russell Beale | Won | |||
| Adam Godley | Nominated | ||||
| Adrian Lester | Nominated | ||||
| Best Direction of a Play | Sam Mendes | Won | |||
| Best Scenic Design in a Play | Es Devlin | Won | |||
| Best Lighting Design in a Play | Jon Clark | Won | |||
| Best Sound Design of a Play | Nick Powell and Dominik Bilkey | Nominated | |||
Novel
editThe story was further developed into a novel published in Italian in 2016 under the titleQualcosa sui Lehman,[35]and appeared in English in 2020 asThe Lehman Trilogy,translated byRichard Dixon.[36]
References
edit- ^Giulio Einaudi (ed.)."Stefano Massini, Lehman Trilogy, Libri, Einaudi".www.einaudi.it.Retrieved12 April2017.
- ^Massini, Stefano (2020).The Lehman Trilogy.Translated by Dixon, Richard. New York: HarperCollinsPublishers.ISBN9780062940445.
- ^""The Lehman Trilogy" is a Masterpiece ".National Review.13 April 2019.Archivedfrom the original on 5 September 2024.Retrieved21 March2023.
- ^Lehman TrilogyArchived2017-04-13 at theWayback Machinedoppiozero.com (in Italian), 2014
- ^Nguyen, Sophia (February 29, 2024)."Why the Financial Drama of 'The Lehman Trilogy' Doesn't Quite Work".The Washington Post.ISSN0190-8286.Archivedfrom the original on September 5, 2024.RetrievedMarch 1,2024.
- ^Angelini, Francesca."The Italian playwright Stefano Massini on The Lehman Trilogy".The Times.Retrieved21 August2018.
- ^The Lehman Trilogynationaltheatre.org.uk, accessed 6 March 2019
- ^McPhee, Ryan."What Did Critics Think of 'The Lehman Trilogy' at London's National Theatre?"Archived2019-03-06 at theWayback Machineplaybill, July 13, 2018
- ^abClement, Olivia."'The Lehman Trilogy' to Transfer to West End in Spring 2019"Playbill, October 15, 2018
- ^Lefkowitz, Andy."'The Lehman Trilogy' Will Transfer to the West End's Piccadilly Theatre"Archived2024-09-05 at theWayback Machinebroadway.com, October 15, 2018
- ^"The Lehman Trilogy Begins in the West End May 11"Archived2024-09-05 at theWayback Machine,www.playbill.com
- ^Clement, Olivia."The Lehman Trilogyto Open on BroadwayArchived2024-09-05 at theWayback MachinePlaybill, September 3, 2019
- ^"Broadway Shuts Down: Performances Canceled Through April 12 Due to COVID-19 Pandemic".Broadway.com.Archivedfrom the original on 2024-09-05.Retrieved2020-04-08.
- ^Paulson, Michael (2020-04-08)."Broadway Will Remain Closed at Least Until June, and Probably Longer".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.Archivedfrom the original on 2024-09-05.Retrieved2020-04-08.
- ^Clement, Olivia (May 12, 2020)."Check the Statuses of Broadway Shows During the Coronavirus Shutdown".Archivedfrom the original on June 1, 2020.RetrievedMay 29,2020.
- ^Evans, Greg (2021-06-04)."'The Lehman Trilogy' Sets Broadway Reopening – Without Scott Rudin ".Deadline.Archivedfrom the original on 2024-09-05.Retrieved2021-06-05.
- ^"The Lehman Trilogy | Official Site".The Lehman Trilogy.Archivedfrom the original on 2024-09-05.Retrieved2022-01-02.
- ^ab"Cast Set for Los Angeles Bow of The Lehman Trilogy".Playbill.Archivedfrom the original on 2022-03-05.Retrieved2022-03-05.
- ^Janiak, Lily (March 2, 2022)."'The Lehman Trilogy' postponed at American Conservatory Theater ".Datebook | San Francisco Arts & Entertainment Guide.Retrieved2022-03-05.
- ^Lukowski, Andrzej."The Lehman Trilogy returns to the West End for 2023".Time Out London.Retrieved2022-11-20.
- ^Turner, Kyle."'The Lehman Trilogy' rounds out its new cast for West End revival ".London Theatre.Retrieved2024-09-14.
- ^Brantely, Ben (13 July 2018)."Review: 'The Lehman Trilogy' Is a Transfixing Epic of Riches and Ruin".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on 21 August 2018.Retrieved21 August2018.
- ^Billington, Michael (13 July 2018)."The Lehman Trilogy review – Mendes is on the money with astonishing saga".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on 5 September 2024.Retrieved22 August2018.
- ^Morgan, Fergus."The Lehman Trilogy at the National Theatre – review round-up".The Stage.Retrieved24 August2018.
- ^Collins-Hughes, Laura (2021-10-15)."Review: In 'The Lehman Trilogy,' a Vivid Tale of Profit and Pain".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.Archivedfrom the original on 2024-09-05.Retrieved2022-01-02.
- ^"'The Lehman Trilogy' and Wall Street's Debt to Slavery ".The New York Review of Books.Archivedfrom the original on 2024-09-05.Retrieved2022-05-21.
- ^"The hole at the heart of 'The Lehman Trilogy'".The Washington Post.Retrieved2022-05-21.
- ^Rich, David (25 February 2023)."Antisemitic tropes are back on stage again".The Observer.Archivedfrom the original on 5 September 2024.Retrieved26 February2023.
- ^"Read the Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2018 shortlist in full".www.standard.co.uk.2018-11-16.Archivedfrom the original on 2024-09-05.Retrieved2020-12-03.
- ^Foster, Robert Dex, Alistair (2018-11-20)."Best Actress Sophie Okonedo 'loves Ralph Fiennes to death every night'".www.standard.co.uk.Archivedfrom the original on 2024-09-05.Retrieved2021-02-08.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^Olivier Awards 2019 winners & nomineesArchived2019-12-14 at theWayback Machine,Society of London Theatre,7 April 2019
- ^Rosky, Nicole."2022 Drama League Awards Nominations Announced- Full List!".BroadwayWorld.com.Archivedfrom the original on 2023-05-23.Retrieved2022-04-26.
- ^"The Lehman Trilogy, Kimberly Akimbo & Harmony Lead 2022 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations".Broadway.com.Archivedfrom the original on 2022-04-26.Retrieved2022-04-26.
- ^Lewis, Hilary (June 12, 2022)."Tony Awards: Winners List (Updating Live)".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedJune 13,2022.
- ^"Qualcosa sui Lehman - Stefano Massini".Archivedfrom the original on 2024-09-05.Retrieved2021-02-22.
- ^"The Lehman Trilogy".