Madame Melville (2001): Richard Nelson’s Off-Broadway Play
Memorabilia Available Here
Madame Melville (2001)
Madame Melville is a compelling coming-of-age play written by Richard Nelson, set in Paris in 1966. The story follows Carl, a young American student who finds himself unexpectedly alone in the apartment of Claudie, one of his teachers. Over the course of the play, the two characters embark on an intimate exploration of art, life, love, and self-discovery — each finding in the other something they did not know they were searching for.
The play first gained widespread attention when it was produced in London in 2000 at the Vaudeville Theatre, marking the return of Macaulay Culkin to acting after a six-year hiatus from the stage and screen. The London production also starred Irene Jacob as Claudie and Madeleine Potter as Ruth.
The following year, the play transferred to New York for its Off-Broadway run at the Proomenade Theatre, opening on May 3, 2001 and closing on June 25, 2001. Richard Nelson both wrote and directed the production.
Playwright: Richard Nelson
Director: Richard Nelson
Type: Off-Broadway Play
Venue: Proomenade Theatre, 2162 Broadway, New York, NY
Opening Date: May 3, 2001
Closing Date: June 25, 2001
Cast
| Performer | Role |
|---|---|
| Macaulay Culkin | Original Cast |
| Joely Richardson | Original Cast |
| Robin Weigert | Original Cast |
Creative Team
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Director / Playwright | Richard Nelson |
| Aerial Designer | Jennifer Tipton |
| Set Designer | Thomas Lynch |
| Costume Designer | Susan Hilferty |
| Sound Designer | Scott Myers |
| Production Stage Manager | Matthew Silver |
Production Team
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Producer | Darren Bagert |
| Producer | Ben Sprecher |
| Producer | Ted Tulchin |
| Producer | Aaron Levy |
| Producer | Sonny Everett |
| Producer | Julian Schlossberg |
| Producer | Mark Bennett / Hopkins, Smith & Barden |
| General Management | Peter Bogyo |
About the Playwright
Richard Nelson is a celebrated American playwright and director, known for his thoughtful explorations of American identity, political life, and interpersonal relationships. Madame Melville showcases his ability to craft quiet, character-driven drama that resonates deeply with audiences. His work has been produced extensively in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Production History
Madame Melville was originally produced in London in 2000 at the Vaudeville Theatre, where it drew significant attention for bringing Macaulay Culkin back to the stage. The Off-Broadway premiere followed in 2001 at the Proomenade Theatre in New York City. The play remains a notable entry in Richard Nelson’s dramatic catalog and in contemporary American theater history.
Sources: Wikipedia – Madame Melville; Spectra Theater Database
