Cynthia Nixon Returns to Broadway in 'Marjorie Prime'

Cynthia Nixon is once again part of the Broadway scene, and her presence is visible even before she steps onto the stage. At Sardis, the famed New York theater restaurant, a caricature of Nixon has adorned the wall since 2017, capturing her blue eyes and signature blonde hairstyle, commemorating her second Tony Award.

Currently, Nixon can be found at Sardis, seated near the Hayes Theater, where she stars in the new production Marjorie Prime. Inside the theater, the set is being finalized with a seafoam coat as the production prepares for its first preview. The official opening night is scheduled for December 8.

During a lunch break, Nixon reviews her script over salmon, reflecting on her return to Broadway. This marks her first major stage appearance since her acclaimed role in Lillian Hellmans The Little Foxes. She notes that while she performed in a play two years ago, she hasnt appeared on Broadway since her 2018 run for New York governor against Andrew Cuomo.

Although she isnt seeking office again, Nixon remains politically active, supporting progressive initiatives and candidates. She remarks on the challenges of the current political climate, emphasizing that difficult times often pave the way for meaningful change.

Her career offstage has remained busy, with notable roles in HBOs The Gilded Age and the Sex and the City reboot And Just Like That, concluding her portrayal of Miranda Hobbs this past summer. Despite her screen successes, Nixon emphasizes her genuine excitement about returning to Broadway, a stage she first graced in 1980 while attending Barnard College. Her attraction to Marjorie Prime was rooted in the script, her character, and the opportunity to work with esteemed colleagues, including Danny Burstein, Chris Lowell, and June Squibb.

At 96, June Squibb plays the title role of Marjorie, with Nixon portraying her daughter Tess. Nixon praises Squibbs meticulous approach to building the character, calling it unparalleled. The play opens with an interaction between Squibb and Lowell, who embodies a younger version of Tess father. This character is actually a Prime, an AI replica, designed to replicate a deceased loved one based on the information shared with it. While the Primes behavior is lifelike, it raises questions about memory, storytelling, and the partial truths we convey to family.

Nixon reflects on the thematic depth of the play, noting how it explores memory, loss, and how people choose to narrate their stories. Despite its emotional weight, the production includes moments of humor, opening the audience to its more poignant moments. Nixon shares that the script moved her deeply, eliciting tears during her first reading.

She also mentions current AI-focused media like Apple TV+s Pluribus, reflecting on how AI intersects with human life. While the presence of AI in Marjorie Prime is significant, the play centers more on universal experiences of grief, love, and regret. Nixon highlights the questions posed about how much of ones life and family history should be revealed or softened for others.

Audiences can experience Nixons portrayal and decide which truths her character chooses to reveal by attending Marjorie Prime at the Hayes Theater. And for a lighter encounter with Nixon, her caricature remains on display at Sardis.

Author's Analysis: Cynthia Nixon’s Broadway Return

Cynthia Nixon’s return to Broadway with Marjorie Prime marks a significant moment in her stage career, reconnecting with a theater audience she first encountered in 1980. Her presence at the Hayes Theater, alongside seasoned performers like June Squibb and Danny Burstein, underscores the production’s commitment to exploring complex themes of memory, grief, and human relationships.

While Nixon has remained visible on screen in projects such as HBO’s The Gilded Age and Sex and the City reboot, her enthusiasm for live performance highlights the distinct energy of theater. The play’s integration of AI characters, such as the Prime replicas, provides a contemporary lens on storytelling and the selective truths we share within families, a concept Nixon emphasizes as both poignant and relevant.

The collaboration with Squibb, who plays the titular role at 96, demonstrates a meticulous approach to character development, and Nixon’s reflections on the script reveal a personal connection to the material. Beyond entertainment, the production invites audiences to consider memory, loss, and emotional transparency, making Nixon’s Broadway comeback both artistically significant and timely.

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• Cynthia Nixon Is Back on Broadway With ‘Marjorie Prime’