Katie Holmes To Star On Broadway With John Lithgow

Katie Holmes will star on Broadway in Arthur Miller's "All My Sons." The production will also star John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest and Patrick Wilson. Normally, when an announcement about an Arthur Miller revival on Broadway comes about, eyebrows are raised and interest is high. Clearly, Miller's work deserves the large audience that is to be found on Broadway. When announcements of a Broadway revival are linked to having a tabloid name on the marquee, the stakes get even higher. So, now that it is official that Katie Holmes will star on Broadway in the revival of Arthur Miller's "All My Sons" the profile of the show has become quite high indeed.

Lost in the announcement and the headlines is the fact that Holmes is putting her considerable public profile into a play that deals directly with war profiteering, addressing issues that only Arthur Miller could bring to the stage. It is not a flashy play, it does not present the poetic flourishes of Williams or O'Neill, but it is a solid narrative that raises issues more timely now than ever. Katie Holmes will play the role of Ann. If one compares Holmes role to other recent Hollywood ingenues making their Broadway debuts it is safe to say that Holmes' Ann does not offer her the beautiful costumes and romantic landscape that Jennifer Gardner had in Cyrano De Bergerac, nor does the role offer the unique Shavian challenges tackled quite well by Claire Danes in Pygmalion. "All My Sons" is not Miller's greatest play, but it is great.

No doubt there will be noses turned up in the air over the celebritization of Broadway, just as others will see their first Broadway show simply because Katie Holmes is starring. Arthur Miller is always worthy of attention, with Holmes in the cast "All My Sons" instantly becomes an event, if the production is even modestly successful in telling Miller's story, there is little doubt that it will wind up being a sensation. The chance to hear Miller's words on Broadway and be reminded of his gift as a timeless political writer in the grandest sense, this is welcome news with or without Katie Holmes. However, it is safe to say that more "attention must be paid," and will be paid, now that she is in the cast. As a former husband of Marilyn Monroe, perhaps Miller would appreciate the unique circumstances accompanying his newest forthcoming Broadway revival.

For additional Broadway features visit http://www.broadway.tv/broadway-features-reviews