John Lithgow Discusses Roald Dahl's Antisemitism in Tony-Nominated Play 'Giant'
Veteran actor John Lithgow stars in the Broadway production of 'Giant,' a play by Mark Rosenblatt that explores the antisemitism of renowned children's author Roald Dahl. The narrative, set in 1983, depicts publisher Farrar, Strauss and Giroux executives urging Dahl to apologize for controversial remarks regarding the 1982 Lebanon bombings. Lithgow, who received a Tony nomination for Best Actor for this role, describes Dahl as a complex figure characterized by both vast intelligence and 'witting and unwitting cruelty.' The play delves into Dahl's personal tragedies, including the loss of his daughter and his son's severe injury, which contributed to his obsessive yet contradictory nature. Despite concerns that the October 7 Hamas attacks might make the subject matter too sensitive, the creative team proceeded, believing the current climate highlights the play's relevance. The production examines the blurred lines between legitimate criticism of Israel and antisemitism, featuring interactions between Dahl, his wife, and Jewish colleagues. Dahl's family publicly apologized for his antisemitic sentiments in 2020, adding historical weight to this theatrical exploration of his dark side.
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John Lithgow Discusses Roald Dahl's Antisemitism in Tony-Nominated Play 'Giant'
Veteran actor John Lithgow stars in the Broadway production of 'Giant,' a play by Mark Rosenblatt that explores the antisemitism of renowned children's author Roald Dahl. The narrative, set in 1983, depicts publisher Farrar, Strauss and Giroux executives urging Dahl to apologize for controversial remarks regarding the 1982 Lebanon bombings. Lithgow, who received a Tony nomination for Best Actor for this role, describes Dahl as a complex figure characterized by both vast intelligence and 'witting and unwitting cruelty.' The play delves into Dahl's personal tragedies, including the loss of his daughter and his son's severe injury, which contributed to his obsessive yet contradictory nature. Despite concerns that the October 7 Hamas attacks might make the subject matter too sensitive, the creative team proceeded, believing the current climate highlights the play's relevance. The production examines the blurred lines between legitimate criticism of Israel and antisemitism, featuring interactions between Dahl, his wife, and Jewish colleagues. Dahl's family publicly apologized for his antisemitic sentiments in 2020, adding historical weight to this theatrical exploration of his dark side.
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