Producers Sonia Friedman Productions, No Guarantees Productions, Neal Street, Brian Spector, and Sand & Snow Entertainment, with Stephanie P. McClelland, are pleased to announce initial casting for the Broadway premiere of Jez Butterworth’s new play The Hills of California, directed by Sam Mendes.
Featuring the play’s acclaimed leading London cast members on the Broadway stage, The Hills of California’s company will include Olivier Award winner and Tony nominee Laura Donnelly as Joan/Veronica; Leanne Best as Gloria; Ophelia Lovibond as Ruby; Helena Wilson as Jill; Nancy Allsop as Young Gloria; Sophia Ally as Young Ruby; Lara McDonnellas Young Joan; and Nicola Turner as Young Jill, with further casting to be announced.
“A fine female cast powers this smart new play.” – The Telegraph
“The performance of a lifetime from Laura Donnelly.” – Vogue
“Wonderful, funny and moving performances from Leanne Best as the raging, embittered Gloria, Helena Wilson as repressed Jill and Ophelia Lovibond as Ruby.” – Financial Times
“Fine acting from Leanne Best, Ophelia Lovibond and Helena Wilson,
and a gleaming central performance from Laura Donnelly.” – The Observer
“Gorgeous close harmony vocals and impeccable acting from the older and younger incarnations.” – Sunday Express
“A witty, closely observed study of family relations and of the cycle of birth and death, impeccably performed by both young and older cast members.” – Evening Standard
Watch a new trailer for the play here: https://youtu.be/mybSuawrx7g
The Hills of California will begin previews Wednesday, September 11 ahead of a Sunday, September 29, 2024 opening night at the Broadhurst Theatre (235 W. 44th Street) in a limited engagement.
Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning tomorrow, June 26 at 10am EST on Telecharge.com or by calling 212-239-6200. Fans can also register for early access by visiting thehillsofcalifornia.comto sign up.
The Hills of California marks Tony and Olivier Award winner Butterworth’s newest play since the multi-award winning The Ferryman, also directed by Oscar, Tony, and Olivier Award winner Mendes.
Full Broadway casting for The Hills of California will be announced at a later date.
The production recently concluded its limited engagement at the Harold Pinter Theatre on the West End, where it received 2024 Best New Play and Best Leading Actress in a Play (Laura Donnelly) Olivier Award nominations.
“What is a song? A song is a dream... a place to be. Somewhere you can live. And in that place, there are no walls. No boundaries. No locks. No keys. You can go anywhere...”
Following their triumphant production of The Ferryman, Tony®-winning Playwright Jez Butterworth and Oscar and Tony-winning Director Sam Mendes reunite for The Hills of California.
In the sweltering heat of a 1970s summer, the Webb sisters return to their childhood home in Blackpool, an English seaside town, where their mother Veronica lies dying upstairs. Gloria and Ruby now have families of their own. Jill never left. And Joan? No one’s heard from her in twenty years… but Jill insists that their mother’s favorite won’t let them down this time.
The run-down Sea View Guest House is haunted by bittersweet memories of amusement park rides and overdue bills. Back in the 1950s, each night the four young sisters rehearse their singing act, managed by their fiercely loving single mom. But when a record producer offers a shot at fame and a chance to escape, it will cost them all dearly. With stunning design and glorious music, The Hills of California is “a rich, funny, brilliantly layered drama.” (Financial Times).
The creative team for The Hills of California includes Rob Howell(scenic and costume design), Natasha Chivers (lighting design), Nick Powell (composer, sound design and arrangements), Ellen Kane (choreography), Candida Caldicot (musical supervision and arrangements), Amy Ball(UK casting director, Verity Naughton (UK young persons’ casting director), Jim Carnahan CSA, JV Mercanti (US casting director) andZoé Ford Burnett (associate director).