Archive

Identifier: JUNO2000

Inclusive Dates: 2000

Extent:

Roundabout Theatre Company staged Sean O'Casey's Juno and the Paycock at the Gramercy Theatre, with previews starting September 22, opening night October 19, and closing night December 24, 2000. The production was originally produced at the Donmar Warehouse under the direction of John Crowley and also featuring Dearbhla Molloy. The NY production was nominated for both Lucille Lortel and Outer Critics Circle awards. 

Writing for Variety magazine (October 23-29, 2000) Charles Isherwood wrote, "The Roundabout Theater [sic] Co.'s splendidly realized new production of Sean O'Casey's 'Juno and the Paycock' invites the inevitable, sorrowing comparisons with today's newspaper headlines. The day may come when the wounding cry of grief that reverberates throughout this tragicomic masterpiece is rendered irrelevant, but it's probably not arriving anytime soon. With the Mideast erupting in rabid sectarian violence yet again, and the truce in Northern Ireland a precarious proposition, it's clear enough that 'hearts o' stone' still retain their powerful sway in the world...John Crowley's robustly acted production searches out all the colors in the play and lets them shine in their variously comic, comforting or mournful hues. It's bold and confident - and another happy indication, following the summer's 'The Man Who Came To Dinner", that the Roundabout has returned to fine form..."

Directed by John Crowley, with set and costume design by Rae Smith, lighting design by Brian MacDevitt, and original music and sound design by Donald DiNicola. 

Jason Butler Harner played the part of Johnny Boyle, Gretchen Cleevely played the part of Mary Boyle, Dearbhla Molloy played the part of Juno Boyle, Norbert Leo Butz played the part of Jerry Devine, Jim Norton played the part of Captain Jack Boyle, Thomas Jay Ryan played the part of Joxer Daly, John Keating played the part of Sewing Machine Man/Furniture Man/Police Man, Edward James Hyland played the part of Coal Vendor/Needle Nugent, Liam Craig played the part of Charles Bentham, Cynthia Darlow played the part of Maisie Madigan, Roberta Maxwell played the part of Mrs. Tancred, Kelly Mares played the part of Neighbor, George Heslin played the part of Mobilizer, Michael Lidondici played the part of Irregular. Understudies: Cynthia Darlow, Claywood Sempliner, Kelly Mares, Barbara Sims, George Heslin, John Keating, Michael LiDondici. 

Set in Dublin, Ireland, Juno and the Paycock tells the tale of a poor family who inherit a large sum of money. Upon learning of their impending windfall they proceed to spend money without limits only to suffer a more devasting collapse when the money they inherit turns out not to be a fortune.

Juno and the Paycock was first staged in New York in 1926 at the Mayfair Theatre. A 1940 Broadway production starred Sara Allgood and Barry Fitzgerald in the roles they had originated in the 1924 Dublin premiere. A musical comedy version, "Juno", starring Shirley Booth and Melvyn Douglas, with music and lyrics by Marc Blitzstein and book by Joseph Stein, opened in 1959. The play is considered one of the Twentieth Century's most significant plays. 

The production consists of 2 Hollinger boxes with 23 folders, 3 copies of Playbill, 3 opening night invitations, a direct mailer piece, and an 8x10 black and white photo print (with negative) of the cast and crew.  The records reveal a fairly comprehensive look at the production, with an intact prompt script, fittings images, set, sound and lighting documentation and administrative documents.

Oversized drawings include 7 pages of mouldings, 1 light plot (with revision plot), 8 pages of ground plans, and 12 pages of drawings by Noble Theatrical. 

The digital files contain:
PDF of Education study guide
General Management files that contain digital contracts, memos (18.4MB)
mp3 track of incidental music (810KB)
B-Roll (containing both .mov and mp4 copies (15.5GB)
PDF of playbill
TIFF and PDF of select press clippings (494MB)
18 color and black and white prints (2.58MB)
2 PDFs of set elevation (296KB)
PDF of show art
PDF of Donmar Warehouse set and production images (2.5MB)
Excel file containing character breakdown list


 

Access Restrictions: Open and available for research by appointment only unless were noted.

Preferred Citation: Juno and the Paycock (2000), Roundabout Theatre Company Archives