Hellman v. McCarthy – Location, Tickets, Reviews
Hellman v. McCarthy is a world premiere play at Abingdon Theatre Company by Brian Richard Mori. It is based on real events.
In 1980, literary critic Mary McCarthy appeared on The Dick Cavett Show. In a pivotal moment she criticized notable writer Lillian Hellman, saying “every word she writes is a lie, including ‘and’ and ‘the’.” Hellman, frail yet feisty, saw the broadcast and sued McCarthy for libel. What followed was an epic, years-long literary feud and legal battle that ended only upon Hellman’s death in 1984.
Dick Cavett, a veteran comedian and talk-show host, plays himself in this production at Abingdon Theatre, serving as a narrator and peppering the play with anecdotes and memories. At the end of the play, Cavett returns to the stage for Q&A with the audience.
Maxamoo
Roberta Maxwell and Marcia Rodd give excellent performances as two “lionesses of literature” and the old-school talk show charm of Cavett is a huge asset to the production. The feud itself may have been petty and destructive to both sidesת but it raises many serious topics for discussion, including twentieth century politics and intellectual trends, artistic integrity, and the fragility of reputation. The play is tinged with enough humor (mostly coming from the acerbic Hellman and Cavett’s light intermezzos) to prevent it from being pretentious. Hellman v. McCarthy holds added value to those who remember the feud but there are lessons to learn from this part-intellectual, part-legal drama even for those unfamiliar with the play’s history.
Public Opinion
Have you seen Hellman v. McCarthy? What did you think? Comment below or tweet to us at @maxamoo.
Critics’ Reviews
Reviews were mostly positive, praising Cavett and Maxwell in particular for their performances.
New York Times
A Literary Catfight, With Context by Cavett
New York Post
Not everything tastes better with ‘Hellman’
NYtheater Now
The highlight of the piece is the opportunity to see Dick Cavett as he recreates an interesting moment in time for us.
TheaterMania
Dick Cavett plays himself in Brian Richard Mori’s new drama about the feud between authors Lillian Hellman and Mary McCarthy.
Exeunt Magazine
Cavett is seconded however by some formidable talent. As the foul-mouthed, bitter, manipulative, yet fragile Hellman, Roberta Maxwell puts the audience firmly in her corner against Marcia Rodd’s equally formidable, fiercely independent yet more rational McCarthy.
Stage and Cinema
A Famous Literary Feud Makes Great Drama
Theatre is Easy
A brilliantly-written, fast-paced, and somewhat fictionalized account of the literary feud between playwright/memoirist Lillian Hellman and critic/novelist Mary McCarthy.
Theater Pizzazz
What It’s Like to Play Yourself in “Hellman v. McCarthy”
OffOffOnline
Harsh Wordsmiths
TICKETS
$40 (click here for tickets)
DATES
Performances through April 13, 2014
LOCATION
Abingdon Theatre
312 West 36th Street
New York City
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RUNNING TIME
1 hour 30 minutes, no intermission (plus approximately 15 minute talk-back with Dick Cavett)
CAST & CREW
(partial list)
Written by Brian Richard Mori
Directed by Jan Buttram
Featuring Dick Cavett, Roberta Maxwell, Marcia Rodd, Rowan Michael Meyer, Jeff Woodman, Peter Brouwer