God Of Carnage Broadway Red Carpet Opening Night

By Christopher Moore, Broadway Magazine

It was chilly March night in New York City, but the sky was clear and the stars were visible both in the heavens and on earth as the lights of Broadway turned their attention to the opening night of the new comedy God Of Carnage. Broadway.tv and Broadway Magazine were there on the red carpet as the cameras flashed at one of the most star-filled nights on Broadway this season.

God Of Carnage

Legends like Alan Alda, television star Fran Dresher, cultural icons like Martha Stewart and Kenneth Cole, Broadway's 33 Variations stars Colin Hanks and Samantha Mathis, and Maggie Grace, each took a few minutes before the opening night performance to offer why they are excited about the show.

"I'm just really excited to see the play," offers Taken star Maggie Grace to Broadway.tv, before adding with a warm smile, "I'm having a night out at the theatre with my little brother."

"We love Marcia Gay, love the show, it's just an exciting night out in New York," shares Kenneth Cole.

"I'm just excited to see the show. When you're fortunate enough to see live theatre, and it's good, Ah, there's just nothing like it," purrs Fran Drescher.

"I'm here to see this play God of Carnage, that was written by Yasmina Reza who is just a really, brilliant playwright," offers legend Alan Alda. He should know. He starred in Reza's play Art when it was performed on Broadway.

The opening night crowd was electric, offering thunderous applause at the end, and rolling waves of thunderous laughter throughout the performance. After the show, the cast and crew were visibly excited at the opening night party. Based on the opening night reviews, God of Carnage will likely be in contention for the major prizes on Broadway this season. The story of two sets of parents meeting to discuss a fight their children had on the playground, quickly turns into "a comedy of manners, without manners."

"God of Carnage is what one of the characters says has ruled over the world for all eternity… 'that's the way kids are. That's the way it goes,' " grins adaptor Christopher Hampton.

"It was such a great night, it was so beautiful," star Marcia Gay Harden recalls at the opening night party, "The audience was right with us every step of the way. It was everything we dreamed about."

To celebrate Opening Night, Ms. Harden did something special for the cast, "I do pottery and I made everyone a special little pot or vase or something," the star tells Broadway.tv.

"It went really well. We've had the critics all week, and opening was ' oh, the critics are done? Gone? Good, let's have some fun. Good,' " smiles Jeff Daniels. He need not have worried; the opening night reviews for the show were glowing from all quarters.

"It does feel on some level like a sport," suggests Marcia Gay Harden about playing this farce. Ms. Harden has earned high praise for her transformation during the show, and her genuine skills with comedy. Universal praise was given to the entire cast.

"They make you better, they inspire you, they challenge you," reflects Jeff Daniels of his cast-mates, " Nobody was ever afraid to go all the way 100% from day one. That's the kind of cast you want to be involved in."

"It's a real joy to perform the show. We have a great time up there," smiles Hope Davis, "I love and admire all three of them. The chemistry of the group is real fun."

Check out the full video coverage of the Opening Night of God Of Carnage, and find out if any of the stars got into trouble on the playground when they were a child.