A Steady Rain

I was in New York last night and was privileged to see one of the last performances of A Steady Rain starring Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig. Both men are absolutely incredible actors to see live. Here is the description of the play, taken from its website:

Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman star in the most anticipated theatrical event of the season: A Steady Rain. This new American play by Keith Huff tells the story of two Chicago cops who are lifelong friends and whose differing accounts of a few harrowing days change their lives forever. Directing is John Crowley.

A Steady Rain is produced on Broadway by Frederick Zollo, Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli, Raymond L. Gaspard, Frank Gero, Cheryl Wiesenfeld, Jeffrey Sine, Michael Rose Ltd, The Shubert Organization, Inc. and Robert Cole. Set and costume design are by two-time Tony Award winner Scott Pask, with lighting design by two-time Tony Award nominee Hugh Vanstone and original music and sound design by Mark Bennett.

It is not a happy work. In fact, I haven't been so disturbed by a piece of theater since I saw Angels in America: Perestroika performed in the late nineties. Of course, the fact that it made me feel physically ill is a testament to the power of the play. Fortunately, once it ended, an auction of the undershirts both men were wearing in order to raise money for Broadway Cares did much to lighten my mood. Each shirt went for $10,000 and a third bidder was promised a pair of pants in consolation. I was highly amused.

It's unfortunate the play is at the end of its 12 week run. Surely it will be staged across the country by a variety of theatrical groups and I urge everyone who loves theater to see it, though it is not for the faint hearted.