John Lithgow to bring Roald Dahl to life on Broadway in Giant

John Lithgow is heading back to Broadway, stepping into the shoes of Roald Dahl in the Olivier Award-winning play Giant.

The acclaimed production, which premiered in London to critical praise, will make its U.S. debut in March 2026 for a strictly limited 16-week run. This marks Lithgow’s long-awaited return to the Broadway stage after several years, and he’ll reprise the role that earned him one of theater’s top honors overseas.

The play doesn’t shy away from difficult truths, and its arrival in New York is already stirring conversations. With Dahl’s complex legacy at its center, audiences will be asked to wrestle with both admiration and unease.

Here’s everything you need to know about the production, the cast, and why this show is such a big deal.

What is Giant about?

At its heart, Giant is a play about legacy, controversy, and the price of words.

The story unfolds in 1983, when Dahl faced backlash over antisemitic remarks that threatened to overshadow his career. The drama takes place over the course of one afternoon at the author’s home, as his publisher and close associates push him to confront the damage his statements caused.

The play captures Dahl on the cusp of releasing The Witches, one of his most enduring children’s books. Yet instead of a celebration, the moment becomes a reckoning. Giant explores how brilliance and prejudice can exist in one person, and how society chooses to respond.

John Lithgow’s return to Broadway

Lithgow is no stranger to complex, larger-than-life characters.

From Winston Churchill in The Crown to his many award-winning stage roles, the actor thrives when diving into layered personalities. His portrayal of Dahl has already earned him the Olivier Award for Best Actor, cementing the performance as one of his most celebrated in recent years.

For Broadway audiences, this is a major homecoming. Lithgow was last seen on the New York stage in 2019’s Hillary and Clinton. Bringing Giant to Broadway not only reunites him with live theater fans but also places him at the center of one of the season’s most anticipated productions.

The creative team behind the play

The force behind Giant is playwright Mark Rosenblatt, who penned the script with sharp precision.

Rosenblatt wanted to capture both Dahl’s creative spark and his darker flaws, crafting a story that refuses to be one-dimensional.

The production is directed by Nicholas Hytner, a longtime powerhouse in British theater known for bringing intelligence and boldness to challenging works. With set designs by Bob Crowley and a strong ensemble cast, the play arrives with the kind of pedigree Broadway thrives on.

Who’s in the cast?

While Lithgow headlines, the ensemble around him adds significant depth.

Elliot Levey, who plays publisher Tom Maschler, delivers a performance that has already been recognized with an Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor. The London production also featured Rachael Stirling, Romola Garai, and Richard Hope in key roles.

Broadway casting beyond Lithgow has yet to be finalized, but theatergoers can expect a mix of returning actors and new faces. With such strong reviews from its London run, the pressure will be on to deliver the same chemistry on an American stage.

Awards and recognition in London

Before making its way to New York, the Giant made a major mark on London theater.

The play debuted at the Royal Court Theatre in 2024 before transferring to the West End. Critics praised its honesty, tension, and refusal to sanitize Dahl’s flaws.

The show then went on to dominate the 2025 Olivier Awards, winning Best New Play, Best Actor for Lithgow, and Best Supporting Actor for Levey. Those accolades alone raised expectations for its Broadway transfer, setting it up as one of the most anticipated arrivals of the 2026 season.

Broadway run details

Performances of Giant will begin on March 11, 2026, and the engagement will last for just 16 weeks.

The production will be staged in a Shubert theater in New York, though the exact venue has not yet been revealed. Tickets will go on sale to the public in October 2025, giving fans plenty of time to plan.

The limited run guarantees high demand, especially with Lithgow at the center of the project. For theater enthusiasts, this is shaping up to be a must-see event.

Why Dahl’s story matters today

Giant resonates because it confronts the messy legacy of a beloved figure.

Dahl’s children’s books remain classics, but his personal views, particularly antisemitic remarks made in interviews, continue to draw criticism. The play refuses to ignore these contradictions, instead shining a spotlight on them.

In today’s cultural climate, where accountability and cancel culture are frequent talking points, Giant feels especially relevant. It asks the audience to sit with discomfort and reflect on how society should remember influential but flawed figures.

How Lithgow approaches Dahl

Lithgow has spoken about the challenge of balancing Dahl’s charisma with his troubling views.

His performance leans into the contradictions, offering a portrait of a man who was both imaginative and deeply flawed.

This nuanced portrayal is part of what made his performance so celebrated in London. By avoiding caricature, Lithgow makes Dahl both magnetic and maddening, forcing viewers to grapple with their own feelings about him.

Audience expectations for Broadway

New York audiences are known for being discerning, but they also embrace daring theater.

If the London reaction is any guide, Giant will draw both critical discussion and sold-out houses.

Because the play tackles sensitive themes, it may spark debate beyond the theater walls. That conversation, however, is part of what gives Giant its power. It’s not a comfortable night at the theater; it’s a thought-provoking one.

What comes next

The road to opening night will be closely watched.

Casting announcements, set previews, and marketing campaigns are sure to generate buzz over the next several months. Fans will also be waiting to hear which Shubert theater the play will call home.

Once Giant opens, the critical reception will likely determine whether the production extends beyond its 16-week run or possibly sparks a national tour. Either way, Broadway will be the ultimate test.

Why this production is worth watching

Lithgow’s return, the subject matter, and the award-winning creative team combine to make Giant one of the most important plays of the upcoming season.

It’s not a story that will leave audiences feeling light, but it’s one that will leave them thinking.

For Broadway, that mix of entertainment and confrontation is exactly what keeps theater vital. And for audiences, it’s a chance to see one of America’s finest actors take on one of literature’s most complicated figures.

TL;DR

• John Lithgow returns to Broadway in Giant, portraying Roald Dahl.
• The play explores Dahl’s antisemitic remarks and legacy, set in 1983.
• Written by Mark Rosenblatt and directed by Nicholas Hytner.
• Won three Olivier Awards, including Best New Play and Best Actor.
• Broadway run starts March 11, 2026, for 16 weeks only.
• Tickets go on sale in October 2025.

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.