“When your head says one thing and your whole life says another, your head always loses.” If that line sounds remotely familiar, you have seen the 1948 John Huston film, Key Largo. That film, and the Maxwell Anderson play that was adapted for the screen, serve as the inspiration for a new stage version of Key Largo. Written by Jeffrey Hatcher and Andy Garcia, Key Largo begins previews this week at the Geffen Playhouse in advance of its official opening on November 14th.
Frank McCloud (Danny Pino) is a veteran returning from his service in World War II. He goes to Key Largo, Florida to console the widow of a friend. When he gets to the hotel he finds that Johnny Rocco (Garcia) and his fellow mobsters have overtaken the hotel. An oncoming hurricane has Key Largo in its crosshairs and McCloud has to overcome both the impending weather and the gangsters.
Pino and Garcia are taking on roles made famous by Humphrey Bogart and Edward G. Robinson. Fans of the film might remember that Lauren Bacall, Lionel Barrymore and Claire Trevor (who won an Academy Award for her performance) also appeared in the film. Those roles are being played by Rose McIver, Tony Plana and Joely Fisher.
But don’t expect this to be a strict adaptation of either the film or the original play. This play is billed as a “bold reimagining” of the Anderson play.
Doug Hughes, the director of such Broadway shows as Doubt, Junk, The Father and the Geffen Playhouse production of Farragut North leads this production. Arturo Sandoval has composed the music for the production.
Key Largo will play at the Geffen Playhouse through December 10th.
For tickets go here. Note that at press time many performances were already close to sold out.
All images courtesy of the Geffen Playhouse.