Merwin Goldsmith Joins Matthew Broderick in The Starry Messenger; Previews Delayed

Merwin Goldsmith has joined the cast of The New Group’s world premiere production of Kenneth Lonergan’s The Starry Messenger, replacing Jonathan Hadary. The new play, which stars two-time Tony winner Matthew Broderick, had been scheduled to begin previews on October 24 at the Acorn Theater on Theater Row. It will now have its first performance on October 26, directed by the playwright. No word yet on whether opening night, scheduled for November 16, will change. The play is set for a limited off-Broadway engagement through December 12.

In addition to Broderick and Goldsmith, the cast of The Starry Messenger includes the previously announced Catalina Sandino Moreno, J. Smith Cameron, Stephanie Cannon, Keiran Culkin, Grant Shaud and Missy Yager.

The Starry Messenger centers on Mark (Broderick), who teaches astronomy in the basement of the Hayden Planetarium and is struggling with a dead-end career and the monotony of suburban life with his wife, Anne (Smith-Cameron, in real life Mrs. Kenneth Lonergan). His world is transformed by a chance meeting with Angela (Moreno), a driven young single mother striving for a brighter future for herself and her son. The Starry Messenger explores relationships and the impact they have on individuals, their families and their friends.

Lonergan’s most celebrated play, This is Our Youth, premiered at The New Group in 1996 with Yager in the cast. His other plays include The Waverly Gallery and Lobby Hero. Screenwriting credits include Analyze This, You Can Count on Me and Gangs of New York.

Goldsmith has a long list of Broadway and off-Broadway credits and was most recently featured in The New Group's 2008 production of Mike Leigh's Two Thousand Years.

Set design for The Starry Messenger is by Derek McLane, costume design is by Mattie Ullrich, lighting design is by Jason Lyons and sound design is by Shane Rettig.