John Lithgow stars in the new Broadway play Giant, which explores a troubling chapter in Roald Dahl’s life, focusing on the author’s public antisemitic remarks made in the 1980s amid the release of The Witches. The production premiered in March at New York City’s Music Box Theatre, aiming to probe the tension between Dahl’s popular literary legacy and his personal prejudices, making the story resonate strongly in today’s fraught political landscape.
Lithgow’s performance as Dahl captures the complexity of a man admired for his storytelling yet criticized for his controversial views. The play zeroes in on a single day when Dahl openly expressed anti-Israeli sentiments during a period of conflict involving Lebanon, an episode that sparked widespread outrage.
A Deep Look into Roald Dahl’s Public Controversy
Mark Rosenblatt’s script dramatizes the difficult moment when Dahl’s antisemitic comments emerged publicly, confronting audiences with the difficult questions surrounding the coexistence of an artist’s work and their personal faults. The play portrays Dahl not simply as a beloved children’s author but as a figure of
“great charm, great wit and intelligence,”
shadowed by
“a streak of witting and unwitting cruelty,”
as Lithgow describes.
Giant challenges the audience to wrestle with the impact of Dahl’s remarks on his contemporaries and the broader literary world, highlighting the lasting effects of such prejudice. The narrative focuses on the consequences Dahl faced amid the backlash and the possibility of redemption.
John Lithgow Reflects on the Play’s Contemporary Relevance
Lithgow emphasized the timeliness of Giant while appearing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on March 9. He noted the play’s themes remain highly pertinent, especially considering current geopolitical tensions, including recent conflicts involving Israel and Iran, which echo the turmoil of the early 1980s when Dahl’s comments were made.
“Lots of people know Roald Dahl’s writing,”
Lithgow observed regarding the author’s widespread recognition.
“You know he has his dark side as a writer; well, he had his dark side as a human being,”
Lithgow continued.
“[He was] a man of great charm, great wit and intelligence, but with a streak of witting and unwitting cruelty.”
“It’s a piece of history,”
Lithgow said of the narrative, adding,
“It’s an examination of that day, and as you can imagine, in this day and age, it’s extraordinarily timely.”
Details of the Broadway Run and Production Team
Giant premiered in London’s West End and the Royal Court Theatre before arriving on Broadway, where it opened officially on March 23 under the direction of Nicholas Hytner, a two-time Tony Award winner. The limited run is set to continue through June 28 at the Music Box Theatre. The cast alongside Lithgow includes Aya Cash, Elliot Levey, Rachael Stirling, Stella Everett, David Manis, and understudies Geoffrey Cantor, Annie Hӓgg, Eleanor Handley, and Paul O’Brien.
Lithgow, who earned an Olivier Award for his role in the London production, described the part as uniquely demanding and impactful. He noted the story’s resonance with modern audiences:
“I play the central character of Roald Dahl, a man of dizzying complexity, on a day of crisis in his life,”
Lithgow explained.
“The story takes place forty years ago, but it resonates powerfully with events of our present day. No play I’ve ever been in has had such an impact on audiences.”
“Being a part of Giant from its inception has been the most challenging and exciting stage experience of my career,”
he said.
“I am so proud and honored to play this part.”
John Lithgow’s Career and Future Projects
With a career spanning film, television, and stage, John Lithgow has become a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. His previous Broadway performances include 25 visits, with his last appearance before Giant in 2019’s Hillary and Clinton. Lithgow has earned two Tony Awards—one for his lead role in the 2002 musical Sweet Smell of Success and another for a featured role in the 1973 play The Changing Room.
In addition to his role in Giant, Lithgow is set to portray the character of Albus Dumbledore in an upcoming HBO series, which will reimagine J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books for a new audience.
Tickets for Giant are currently available, inviting theatergoers to engage with this challenging exploration of Roald Dahl’s life and legacy through the lens of John Lithgow’s compelling performance.
