''Time Stands Still'' is a play written by Donald Margulies and directed by

Daniel J. Sullivan Daniel John Sullivan (born June 11, 1940) is an American theatre and film director and playwright. Life and career Sullivan was born in Wray, Colorado, the son of Mary Catherine (née Hutton) and John Martin Sullivan. He was raised in San Franc ...

. It was nominated for two Tony Awards for ''Best Play'' and ''Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play'' for

Laura Linney Laura Leggett Linney (born February 5, 1964) is an American actress. Having studied acting at Juilliard School (1986-1990), she became known for her complex and multilayered performances on stage and screen. She has received various accolades, ...

Synopsis

''Time Stands Still'' is set in Brooklyn and revolves around Sarah, a

photo journalist Photojournalism is journalism that uses images to tell a news story. It usually only refers to still images, but can also refer to video used in broadcast journalism. Photojournalism is distinguished from other close branches of photography (such ...

who has returned from covering the Iraq war after being injured by a roadside bomb, and her

reporter A journalist is an individual that collects/gathers information in form of text, audio, or pictures, processes them into a news-worthy form, and disseminates it to the public. The act or process mainly done by the journalist is called journalism ...

boyfriend James who is swamped by guilt after leaving Sarah alone in Iraq. They receive a visit from their friend Richard, a photo editor, who introduces them to his new girlfriend Mandy, who is much younger than he. The play focuses on their relationships and Sarah and James' prospects at a more conventional life.

Productions

''Time Stands Still'' premiered in February 2009 at the ''Geffen Playhouse'' in Los Angeles and was the fourth collaboration for writer Donald Margulies and director

. It starred Anna Gunn as Sarah and

David Harbour David Kenneth Harbour (born April 10, 1975) is an American actor. He has played supporting roles in films such as ''Brokeback Mountain'' (2005), ''Quantum of Solace'' (2008), '' State of Play'' (2009), ''The Green Hornet'' (2011), ''End of W ...

as James. Robin Thomas appeared as Richard, with

Alicia Silverstone Alicia Silverstone ( ; born October 4, 1976) is an American actress. She made her film debut in the thriller ''The Crush (1993 film), The Crush'' (1993), earning the 1994 MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance, and gained further prom ...

as Mandy. Margulies stated that the meaning of the play was "to capture a sense of the way we live now, to dramatize the things that thinking, feeling, moral people are thinking about and struggle with." ''The Los Angeles Times'' called it a "compelling if at times elusive drama" and praised Gunn's performance. The play premiered on Broadway at the

Samuel J. Friedman Theatre The Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, formerly the Biltmore Theatre, is a Broadway theater at 261 West 47th Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1925, it was designed by Herbert J. Krapp in the neo-Renaissa ...

in a Manhattan Theatre Club production, on January 5, 2010 (previews), officially on January 28, 2010 and closed on March 27, 2010. The play was again directed by Daniel Sullivan. Alicia Silverstone reprised her role as Mandy, with

starring as Sarah, Brian d'Arcy James as James and Eric Bogosian as Richard.

Charles Isherwood Charles Isherwood (born 1964/65) is an American theater critic. Education Isherwood is a graduate of Stanford University. Career Isherwood wrote for '' Backstage West'' in Los Angeles. In 1993, he joined the staff of ''Variety'', where he was pr ...

, '' The New York Times'' reviewer wrote, "the heart of ''Time Stands Still'' lies in the gently evolving relationship between Sarah and James, which develops troubling new ripples in each scene," and said Silverstone "brings warmth, actorly intelligence and delicate humor." The ''New York Daily News'' said Margulies "writes with intelligence and humor and creates dialogue that always hits the ear as real." ''Time Stands Still'' opened again on Broadway at the Cort Theatre beginning September 23, 2010, with the official opening on October 7. Three of the four cast members returned. Alicia Silverstone had prior scheduling commitments and

Christina Ricci Christina Ricci ( ; born February 12, 1980) is an American actress. Known for playing unusual characters with a dark edge, Ricci predominantly works in independent productions, but has also appeared in numerous box office hits. She has receiv ...

played the role of Mandy. This production closed on January 30, 2011.Jones, Kennet
"Broadway's Time Stands Still, Acclaimed Drama About War Scars, Will Close Jan. 30"
playbill.com, December 8, 2010

References

External links

*
Geffen Playhouse website

Manhattan Theatre Club website

Official Broadway website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Time Stands Still (Play) 2009 plays Plays by Donald Margulies Brooklyn in fiction Broadway plays Iraq War in fiction Plays set in New York City