Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (585)
See it if You love great acting, Laura Linney, or Cynthia Nixon. I saw Laura as Regina and Cynthia as Birdie and they were exquisite.
Don't see it if You don't like classic plays. It's a long one with 2 intermissions.
See it if You love Lillian Helman, outstanding acting and directing.
Don't see it if You don't like period plays.
See it if you like great acting and thought provoking historical drama that tells a universal story about the human condition.
Don't see it if you don't like period pieces and great acting.
See it if A gripping play that draws you in with interesting characters and a story that never feels dated. The acting is top notch.
Don't see it if it is impossible for you to get a ticket... otherwise go see this play Read more
See it if you like an acting lesson with masters of the craft. Ms. Linney was Regina. I must return to see Ms. Nixon as Regina. Quick-paced, GREAT!
Don't see it if you don't like period pieces.. but this one is done VERY well.
See it if you like plot-driven plays with meaty dialogue and fully fleshed-out characters.
Don't see it if three-hour dramas that are long on conversation and short on action usually test your patience. Read more
See it if Masterful storytelling and acting. Linney (Regina) and Nixon (Birdie).
Don't see it if No reason, unless you need a different sort of song and dance.
See it if you want a great evening in the theater. You deserve the experience of seeing this classic of character driven passions and shifting power!
Don't see it if you are not interested in great theater. Perhaps you might want to avoid it if you are emotionally fragile. The climax is hard to watch
Critic Reviews (59)
"Linney shines in the role of Regina, her deep voice and deceptive dimples perfectly suited for the character’s commanding presence...Perhaps Nixon seems like the lesser Regina only because she is so brilliant as Birdie...Of course, this repertory-style casting demands comparison of the two stars, and Nixon’s Regina and Linney’s Birdie are in no way disappointing. It’s still a treat to watch these masters at play, along with the rest of the vibrant cast."
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"An unapologetic soap opera with over-the-top characters and unbelievable machinations...Director Daniel Sullivan approaches the play with a 'let’s just roll with it and have a good time' attitude, leading to a simple but effective production full of old-fashioned theatricality...Linney and Nixon are better suited to playing Regina and Birdie, respectively, but the show is fine either way, and checking out both casting arrangements makes you appreciate their versatility."
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"Under the scrupulous direction of Daniel Sullivan, Linney and Nixon prove that there is more than one way to skin a fox, with two highly contrasting interpretations that change the way we look at the play...Several of the supporting players also make big impressions...McKean brings a comic sensibility to the role of mean older brother Ben. His electric encounters with both Reginas are worth the price of admission alone...A must-see revival."
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“As Birdie, Linney makes a showstopper out of her third-act monologue, but Nixon's presence in the role is more tragic, as her character forces smiles and charm while being abused. It's not a competition, of course, and personal taste will come into play as to which combination audience members will prefer. Fortunately, ‘The Little Foxes’ is a fascinating play and Sullivan's superb production is easily worth a second visit.”
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“Whichever version of ‘Little Foxes’ you attend, you are in for a memorable time…As Regina, Linney brings the fire and Nixon, the ice…The actresses' interpretations of Birdie are also strikingly different…I don't want to suggest that Linney and Nixon, as good as they are, are the only attractions in this superlative revival. Thomas is a sterling Horace…McKean is a study in suave villainy as Ben…Goldstein simmers effectively as Oscar…Everything else about Sullivan's production is first-class.”
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"If the physical production lacks that dedication to detail it's acceptable. What's not is that Nixon and Linney do not equivalently fill out their parts...When Linney is Regina and Nixon is Birdie...that's the only combination I'd suggest you go out of your way to see...As it is, Sullivan's spin might be on the weighty side. Either way, this is a fiery play that's a definite hot spot for the season when Linney is working her blazing magic on a Regina you won't forget anytime soon."
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"Sullivan’s succulent new Broadway revival of the play cannot erase its tints of both moralizing and melodrama. But it proves once again that Hellman’s drama is also enduring entertainment...Both actors give rewarding performances in both roles. What’s more: Sullivan’s production has been cast in such depth that even the formidable leading ladies are by no means the whole show...Sullivan’s crackerjack production shines with polish and acting of sharp intelligence and theatrical acuity."
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"Kudos to both actresses for memorizing and interpreting two roles. And while neither is going to eclipse Bette Davis' Regina or Maureen Stapleton's Birdie, both gave solid performances...Linney takes some getting used to as Birdie but she does manage to look Birdie-ish rather than her usual poised and attractive self. I found her performance to be at its heart-tugging height during the second act...I don't think you'll be disappointed if you choose to see Nixon as Regina."
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