Archive

Identifier: IGUANA1996

Inclusive Dates: 1996

Extent:

The Night of the Iguana was staged by Roundabout Theatre Company at the Criterion Center with previews begining March 6, opening March 21, and closing night May 19, 1996. The production was originally produced by Chicago's Goodman Theatre in 1994 under the direction of Robert Falls and also featuring Cherry Jones and William Petersen.

Directed by Robert Falls with set design by Loy Arcenas, costume design by Susan Hilferty, lighting design by James F. Ingalls, sound design by Richard Woodbury, hair design by David H. Lawrence. Production stage manager, Janet Beroza.

Starring Marsha Mason as Maxine Faulk, Alfredo MacDonald as Pancho, Diego Lopez as Pedro, William Petersen as Reverend Shannon, Sinje Ollen as Hilda, Lawrence Woshner as Wolfgang, Dan Frick as Herr Fahrenkopf, Betsy Freytag as Frau Fahrenkopf, Scott Jaeck as Hank, Jurian Hughes as Judith Fellowes, Cherry Jones as Hannah Jelkes, Paula Cale as Charlotte Goodall, Lawrence McCauley as Jonathan Coffin (Nonno), and Dennis Predovic as Jake Latta.  Understudies: Karen MacDonald, Betsy Freytag, Scott Jaeck, Michelle Courtney, Steve Boles, A.J. Lopez, Charles Huston and Richard Spore.

"The Night of Iguana is rooted in the atmosphere and experiences of the summer of 1940, which I remember more vividly, on the emotional level, than any summer I have gone through before or after - since it was then, that summer, that I not only discovered that it was life that I truly longed for, but that all which is most valuable in life is escaping from the long narrow cubicle of one's self to a sort of veranda between the sky and the still water beach (allegorically speaking) and to a hammock beside another beleaguered being, someone else who is in exile from the place and time of his heart's fulfillment." (Taken from Playbill quoting Tennessee Williams in the New York Herald Tribute, 1961)

The Night of the Iguana, based on one of Tennessee Williams' earlier short stories, premiered in New York at the Royale Theater in 1961 under the direction of Frank Corsaro. The play was nominated for a Tony award; Margaret Leighton, as Hannah, won the Tony for best actress in a play.

 

Collection consists of 2 Hollinger boxes containing production documentation, script, extensive news clippings files, playbills, and administrative files. Collection lacks most documents detailing artistic vision for the play (director's notes, and set, lighting and sound notes).

Photograph folder contains black and white 8 x10 prints, contact sheets, opening night contact sheets with select prints, select head shots, and photographs used during the earlier Goodman Theater staging.

Digital file contains scanned photographs, scanned press clippings, scanned playbill, scanned study guide, extensive costume sketches, raw video footage, and show art used by the marketing department to promote the production.

Marketing mock up folder contains various versions of artwork and advertising drafts.

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

Preferred Citation: The Night of the Iguana 1996, Roundabout Theatre Company Archives