(John Lithgow as Roald Dahl in GIANT – Photo by Joan Marcus)

By Tim Leininger

NEW YORK — In what may be the most blatant use of the expression “Never meet your idols,” John Lithgow gives a riveting performance as acclaimed author Roald Dahl in the new play Giant, written by Mark Rosenblatt, directed by Nicholas Hytner, running through June 28^th at The Music Box at 239 W. 45^th St.

            Dahl has written some of the most beloved children’s stories ever written, including James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, and The BFG. These stories are revered, but there is a haunting truth that stains the spines of these cherished books. Dahl was an antisemite.

            It’s the summer of 1983 in Dahl’s family home in Great Missenden, England. He and his partner, and would-be wife, Felicity “Liccy” Crosland (Rachael Stirling), are renovating the old home when they are visited by Jessie Stone (Aya Cash), who represents a publisher in the United States who wants Roald to recant a statement he made reviewing Tony Clifton and Catherine Leroy’s book God Cried that was deemed antisemitic.

            Rosenblatt and Hytner don’t shirk away from the truth of Dahl’s racism, but what they attempt to do with varying degrees of success is give perspective as to where that racism came from. It’s enforced and reenforced that Dahl, during his military career, became sympathetic to the Arab groups that he fought alongside in World War II. So, when Israel invaded Lebanon in 1982, Dahl had some strong opinions about the Israelis and their actions. Opinions that proved to be more than just political opinion against the Israeli government, but all-encompassing hateful rhetoric against a people group, racism. It helps in exposing where Dahl’s racism may come from, which may cause some empathy for him, but at the same time, we do have to acknoweldge that racism is racism no matter where it stems from and is wrong in all its facets.

(Aya Cash and John Lithgow in GIANT – Photo by Joan Marcus)

            What is so painful about Giant, and what makes it such a great piece of theater, is the well-intended efforts of everyone around Roald to have him realize what he is saying and why it is wrong and would damage himself and his career. Lithgow grits his teeth as Dahl, and with every plea by the people around him, bunkers himself further in his narcissism. It’s a brutally tragic performance of someone who could learn to be better, is given the chance to be better by people around him but won’t budge because of what truth he knows.

            The supporting cast is great, especially Aya Cash as Jessie Stone, who has to bear racist attacks by Roald directed toward her as she attempts to get him to see reason. The slow breaking of her heart as she watches one of her childhood heroes crumble before her is the most poignant journey of the play.

            Though about a writer in the 1980s, Giant reads modern as we deal with similar struggles between people today. People are lumping their prejudices against not the governments that enact evils but on everyone in the country, regardless of their political affiliation or actual involvement causing the atrocities around them. Roald Dahl is that racist uncle you loathe seeing every Thanksgiving, or the neighbor that you are ashamed of having to live next to because of their bigotry. Giant isn’t subtle about its themes that it addresses. It’s direct, unflinching, and through the example of one legend’s fall from grace we can take a closer look at our own impulsive prejudices.

TICKETS: https://gianttheplay.com/

PRODUCTION

Written by Mark Rosenblatt; Directed by Nicholas Hytner; Designed by Bob Crowley; General Management: Bespoke Theatricals; Production Management: Juniper Street Productions; Production Stage Manager: Michael J. Passaro; Company Manager: Michelle Tamagawa; Voice and Dialect Coach: Andrew Wade; Press Representative: Polk & Co.; Digital Content/Social Media: Marathon Digital; Advertising/Marketing: AKA; Ticketing Revenue & Strategy: Tanna; Casting: Daniel Swee, CSA; Original RCT Casting: Arthur Carrington; Wigs, Hair & Makeup: Luc Verschueren for Campbell Young Associates; Lighting Designer: Anna Watson; Sound Designer: Darron L. West

CAST

John Lithgow as Roald Dahl

Aya Cash as Jessie Stone

Elliot Levey as Tom Maschler

Rachael Stirling as Felicity “Liccy” Crosland

Stella Everett as Hallie, Switchboard Voice

David Manis as Wally, Voice of Mike Coren