Theater News

Network, Starring Bryan Cranston, Extends Broadway Run

Ivo van Hove also directs Tatiana Maslany and Tony Goldwyn in Lee Hall’s adaptation of the 1976 film.

Bryan Cranston in a scene from Network on Broadway.
Bryan Cranston in a scene from Network on Broadway.

(© Jan Versweyveld)

The National Theatre production of Network will extend performances through June 8 at the Belasco Theatre. This is the second and final extension for the limited engagement. Starring Bryan Cranston (All the Way, Breaking Bad), Tony Goldwyn (Scandal, Promises, Promises) and Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black, Mary Page Marlowe), Network officially opened on December 6, 2018.

The complete cast of Network also includes Joshua Boone, Alyssa Bresnahan, Ron Canada, Julian Elijah Martinez, Tony Award winner Frank Wood, Nick Wyman, Barzin Akhavan, Jason Babinsky, Camila Canó Flaviá, Eric Chayefsky, Gina Daniels, Nicholas Guest, Joe Paulik, Susannah Perkins, Victoria Sendra, Henry Stram, Bill Timoney, Joseph Varca, Nicole Villamil, and Jeena Yi.

Based on the 1976 Paddy Chayefsky film, Network ran at London's National Theatre November 2017-March 2018, with direction by Van Hove. Cranston earned an Olivier Award for his performance as news anchor Howard Beale.

Network is described as follows: "Howard Beale, news anchorman, isn't pulling in the viewers. In his final broadcast he unravels live on screen. But when the ratings soar, the network seize on their newfound populist prophet, and Howard becomes the biggest thing on TV. Network depicts a dystopian media landscape where opinion trumps fact."

The production has scenic and lighting design by Jan Versweyveld, costume design by An D'Huys, video design by Tal Yarden, and music and sound by Eric Sleichim.