ROUNDABOUT BLOG

A conversation with Artistic Director Todd Haimes about Athol Fugard’s The Road To Mecca.

Q: Roundabout has presented Athol Fugard’s work in the past. Can you tell us what drew you to this play and made it the right time to present it on Broadway for your subscribers?

A: I was so proud of Roundabout’s revival of Master Harold…and the Boys in 2003, and it’s been a hope of mine that we would be able to revive another of Athol’s plays. In particular, The Road to Mecca has really stuck with me over the years. I love how specific it is to its particular setting, but the play also addresses universal themes, like loyalty, aging, and freedom of expression. It’s that combination that makes Athol’s work so exciting. To be able to give the play its Broadway premiere and celebrate his 80^th birthday at the same time is just a thrill. Having an incredible cast was also a big motivation for deciding to do the play at this particular point in time. You can expect a true tour de force performance from Rosemary Harris as Miss Helen. With the incredible Jim Dale and Carla Gugino, both of whom I have been hoping to work with again, this is truly a dream cast for me.

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