Katie Holmes Cruise To Broadway?

Timely and relevant are terms that apply to most of the plays by Arthur Miller. Now, from Britain comes word that a revival of Miller's war-profiteering play All My Sons may be headed to Broadway with an all-star celebrity cast led by Katie Holmes (the wife of Tom Cruise) as Ann. It is the latest in a recent flurry of tabloid-Broadway rumors, though this one has more names attatched. Other names rumored to be attached to the project are John Lithgow and Dianne Wiest. The story of the rumored production came first from Britain's Daily Mail, and has been picked up by outlets around the globe. If Holmes comes to Broadway, she could join Jennifer Garner and Claire Danes as ingenue's from the screen who have successfully transitioned to the Broadway stage. Arthur Miller's work is always worth seeing, but this play is truly an ensemble piece rather than a star turn. Plenty of dramatically charged situations and great scenes, but certainly not a show piece for any particular actor. That said, politically All My Sons is a timely play in the age of Halliburton and Blackwater scandals.

The producer negotiating with Holmes is reported to be none other than Eric Falkenstein who has brought gems to Broadway like this season's The Seafarer, Coram Boy (under-appreciated and a Broadway favorite), the award-winning History Boys, and more. The supposed director for the show is Simon McBurney, who brought the chilling production of Ionesco's The Chairs to Broadway. If the rumored star list comes together, the only role missing for another marquee name is the part of Chris. The central role in the drama, Chris is another great Miller creation, and excellent material for an additional star with stage ambition.

As the Tom Cruise Broadway show connection plays out, if this production takes place, Holmes would join Nicole Kidman as the 2nd Mrs. Cruise to play Broadway. Kidman caused a stir for her excellent performance, and few seconds of nudity in the Sam Mendes production of The Blue Room. Her role in that production was famously described by critic Charles Spencer in The Daily Telegraph as, "pure theatrical Viagra." There is no nudity in All My Sons, just pure drama. Though All My Sons is a little thin in the sexy department, it packs a punch all the same. As traditional Inge and Williams revivals have caused a Broadway stir this season, there is every reason to believe that Miller could be well served by a Broadway production with strong stars in central roles. That Katie Holmes would consider a role that is more solid than flashy is refreshing indeed. We'll see what happens.

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