Giant with John Lithgow to transfer to Broadway

Mark Rosenblatt’s Olivier Award-winning play Giant will transfer to Broadway.

The piece, which premiered with a sold-out run at the Royal Court Theatre before playing in the West End is set in 1983 and unfolds over a single afternoon as Roald Dahl faces the fallout from his recent antisemitic remarks. As The Witches nears publication, the play examines a pivotal moment in the author’s life, exploring themes of accountability and the consequences of public rhetoric.

Two-time Tony Award and Olivier Award winner John Lithgow will reprise his role as Roald Dahl. He’ll be once more directed by two-time Tony Award winner Nicholas Hytner, while design is by Bob Crowley. It was praised as “terrific” when reviewed by Sarah Crompton.

Rosenblatt explained: “My debut play Giant was written on spec in my kitchen with no assurance it would ever get produced at all,” continuing, “So, to have it premiere at London’s mighty Royal Court Theatre before transferring to the West End was truly life-changing. And now, to open on Broadway, led again by the peerless John Lithgow, is truly the stuff of dreams – I can’t wait to share Giant and Nick Hytner’s exceptional production with New York audiences.”

Lithgow added: “Being a part of Giant from its inception has been the most challenging and exciting stage experience of my career… I play the central character of Roald Dahl, a man of dizzying complexity, on a day of crisis in his life. 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. I am so proud and honoured to play this part.”

Hytner commented: “It’s a great privilege to be on Broadway with this superb play and to be working again with John Lithgow, one of the English-speaking world’s greatest actors.”

Playing for a limited 16-week engagement, it is produced by Brian and Dayna Lee, Stephanie Kramer and Nicole Kramer, Josh Fiedler and Robyn Goodman, and Royal Court Theatre.

On behalf of the producers, Brian and Dayna Lee said: “Giant is a powerful reminder that live theatre sparks vital conversation and deeper connection. The critical and audience acclaim from its West End run speaks to the insight and resonance of Mark Rosenblatt’s writing, remarkable for a debut play, and to John Lithgow’s stunning performance. We are honoured to bring this timely work to Broadway this spring.”

Tickets will be available in October, with casting and details to be confirmed.